Explorer Academy: The Nebula Secret

After 12-year-old Cruz Coronado is invited to attend the prestigious Explorer Academy in Washington, D.C., he leaves his Hawaii home to join fellow students from around the world who are training to become the next generation of conservationists, scientists, explorers, and more. It appears that someone is determined to obstruct Cruz’s efforts, however (he is grabbed by a diver while surfing, then followed in an airport), and he soon suspects that the sabotage may be tied to his mother’s mysterious death, years earlier. Cruz must discover the truth behind these events before his time at the Academy is cut short. While the story line by Trueit (The Sister Solution) focuses on the mystery, the book’s real strength rests in its adventure, as its heroes, including Cruz’s new friends, Emmett Lu and Sailor York, tackle puzzles and simulated missions as part of the educational process. Maps, letters, and puzzles bring the exploration to life, and back matter explores the “Truth behind the Fiction,” such as notable real-life National Geographic explorers and relevant science. This exciting series opener introduces young readers to the joys of science and nature. Ages 8–12. [em]Agent: Rosemary Stimola, Stimola Literary Studio. (Sept.) [/em]