A heartfelt middle grade eco-adventure story full of friendship and self-discovery, perfect for fans of Dan Gemeinhart and Gary D. Schmidt. Summer is winding down and Jake Rizzi is headed to his great-aunt's cabin in the wet, mossy Oregon backwoods. His parents are going on a "couples retreat" and Jake can't help but wonder if it's him and his ADHD that they need a break from. His great-aunt's off-the-grid lifestyle seems strange, but her stories about a turtle with a ruby-colored shell spark his imagination. Jake soon learns that the turtle is more than a myth. And thanks to a viral article online, strangers from all over the world have arrived to search for it--including a sinister "park ranger" and towering twins claiming to be zoologists. Jake is sure that finding the turtle will change how people see him and his “attention issues”--but he'll need help. With villains lurking and mysteries to solve, Jake and his new friend Mia find themselves locked in a race against time. But when things turn dangerous, Jake has to choose what matters most--personal glory or protecting the wonders of nature? “A thrilling mystery adventure filled with a deep love of nature; you'll be rooting for Jake and Mia from beginning to end.” ― Varian Johnson, award-winning author of TWINS and THE PARKER INHERITANCE “One of the best eco-adventures you'll ever read. Full of heart and edge-of-your-seat excitement--with a truly original protagonist and a mysterious villain you'll love to hate!” ― Matt de la Peña, New York Times bestselling and Newbery Award-winning author “Readers will keep enthusiastically turning pages to continue this heartfelt adventure about nature conservation.” ― School Library Journal “The author also leaves readers with the priceless insight that 'the only way to protect the natural world is to love it.'” ― Booklist Reviews “Bramucci packs in teachable moments around digital literacy, mindfulness, and ecological interdependence . . . A wild romp that champions making space for vulnerable creatures and each other.” ― Kirkus Reviews Stephen Bramucci is an award-winning travel writer and adventurer. He's rowed down the Mekong Delta, crossed the Australian outback in a car powered by French fry oil, and explored ancient pirate islands in Madagascar. A lifelong animal lover, Steve's encounters with endangered species often come up in his classroom presentations. @SteveBram