Content Warning: This section of the guide contains themes of displacement and challenges of military family life, including references to military deployment in conflict zones, military weapons, and fatality.

Nestor Lopez is the novel’s 12-year-old protagonist. Nestor’s father serves in the US Army, so Nestor has spent his life moving to military bases around the country. After his father’s most recent deployment to Afghanistan, Nestor and his mother moved in with Nestor’s Abuela (his father’s mother), who lives in the small town of New Haven, Texas. Nestor’s most unusual character trait is his unique ability to communicate with animals. As his gift is one of the few things that stays the same in his life, he gets to know the local animals everywhere he moves and sketches them. After moving in with his Abuela, he learns that she shares the gift as well. Nestor and Abuela’s gift entangles them in the mystery of the missing animals and the plot to stop the greedy tule vieja intent on stealing the animals’ powers. This adventure makes for a coming-of-age journey for Nestor.

Nestor’s military upbringing, as well as Cuban heritage, strongly influence his personality. Nestor knows a lot of military facts and lessons in honor due to his father.