The Nebula Secret (Explorer Academy #1)

Sure to appeal to kids who love code cracking and mysteries with cutting-edge technology.

This series opener from a new imprint of National Geographic is a fully packed high-tech adventure that offers both cool, educational facts about the planet and a diverse cast of fun characters.

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. Agent: Rosemary Stimola, Stimola Literary Studio. (Sept.)

Copyright 2018 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Gr 4-6—This new National Geographic series introduces 12-year-old Cruz, who lives in Hawaii with his dad and has been accepted into the elite Explorer Academy in Washington, DC. It's where his mother, a scientist, was killed in a lab accident, and his aunt, an anthropologist, is still a teacher. He and his classmates are set to embark on an expedition aboard the ship Polaris, but only after training at this high-tech Hogwarts-like academy using things like Augmented Reality Challenges and mind-control cameras. In addition to the pressure of academics, Cruz has acquired a mysterious stalker in cowboy boots and learned that his mother's death may not have been an accident after all. When he is falsely accused of cheating and immediately expelled, he must rely on family and friends to clear his name and track down his mother's hidden journal. An afterword explains "The Truth Behind the Story" and directs readers to the online Explorer Academy. VERDICT Nonstop action and a mix of full-color photographs and drawings throughout make this appealing to aspiring explorers and reluctant readers alike, and the cliffhanger ending ensures they'll be coming back for more.—Laurie Slagenwhite Walters, Brighton District Library, Brighton, MI

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

"A fun, exciting, and action-packed ride that kids will love." —J.J. Abrams, director and screenwriter of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," "Lost," "Alias"

"Inspires the next generation of curious kids to go out into our world and discover something unexpected." —James Cameron, National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence and acclaimed film-maker

"Explorer Academy is sure to awaken readers' inner adventurer and curiosity about the world around them. But you don't have to take my word for it, check out Cruz, Emmett, Sailor, and Lani's adventures for yourself!" —LeVar Burton, host of "Reading Rainbow" and "LeVar Burton Reads"

"Absolutely Brilliant! Explorer Academy is a fabulous feast for the mind and heart — a thrilling, inspiring journey with compelling characters, wonderous places, and the highest possible stakes. Just as there's only one planet Earth, there's only one series like this. Don't wait another instant to enjoy this phenomenal adventure!" —T.A. Barron, author of the Merlin Saga

"In the midst of fast-paced action, Explorer Academy captures the power of learning through exploration. The excitement of hands-on discovery is modeled in Cruz's adventures, which encourages kids to take on the mind-set of explorers." —Daniel Raven-Ellison, National Geographic Explorer and Guerilla Geographer