Explorer ACADEMY
Series I: ORION
THE NEBULA SECRET Book 1
Twelve-year-old Cruz Coronado has been invited to become part of an elite group of young explorers in Washington, D.C. Yet even before Cruz can leave his home in Hawaii, an attempt is made on his life. Things only get more dangerous when Cruz arrives in the nation's capital. Someone wants him dead and it might have something to do with a secret his mom took with her to the grave.
Join Cruz and his fellow explorers as they travel the globe, following clues to unlock a mystery that could change their world, and ours, forever. Be sure to look for the hidden codes, puzzles, and Easter eggs throughout the book! For ages 8 and up.
THE FALCON'S FEATHER Book 2
The explorers embark on the adventure of a lifetime as they set sail for the icy North on the Academy's flagship, Orion. For Cruz, the danger only increases as he seeks to unravel the clues and find the second piece of a puzzle his mother left behind for him alone.
On a mission to help save whales entangled in fishing gear, Cruz nearly drowns and soon discovers his close call was no accident. With his nemesis, Nebula, hot on his tail, it's a race to see who can decode the clues and reach the reward first. Will Cruz get there in time? Even if he does, could it be a carefully-laid trap? Fellow explorers and friends Emmett, Sailor, and Bryndis aren't about to let Cruz go it alone, but this could be one ice cave they'll all regret exploring. More hidden codes and messages are to be found along the way!
THE DOUBLE HELIX Book 3
Traveling through the Mediterranean Sea with the rest of the explorers in his class, Cruz is on the hunt for the the third piece of his mother's formula. However, things take a turn for the worse when his father, suddenly, goes missing. Could Nebula be behind Cruz's dad's disappearance?
Back in Hawaii, Cruz's best friend, Lani, steps in to try to solve the mystery of what happened to Cruz's father, putting her own life in peril. A secret source reveals Nebula is out to stop Cruz from finding the formula before he turns 13. But why? A daring attempt to retrieve the next piece of his mom's cipher nearly proves deadly and Cruz has more questions than answers as he rushes to save his father and uncover the hidden cipher before time runs out.
THE STAR DUNES Book 4
The addition of a new explorer on board Orion brings Cruz's worlds colliding, while a close call threatens to tear them apart.
Cruz discovers that an ‘accident’ that has left a friend’s life hanging in the balance was no accident. Meanwhile Cruz’s mom's next clue leads to the most exotic location yet - a vast desert in Africa. With little information to lead the way, an unlikely ally steps in to help Cruz pursue another piece of the puzzle, but Nebula is hot on their trail.
Meantime, Orion’s tech chief Dr. Fanchon Quills has a technological breakthrough which gives Cruz a glimpse into the past and reveals more about his future than he may really want to know.
THE TIGER'S NEST Book 5
Navigating the Indian Ocean on their way to the Seychelles, the explorers take part in a friendly robotics competition and Cruz gets his first shot at piloting Ridley, Orion’s submersible. But the tide quickly changes when a habitat restoration mission goes awry and Team Cousteau must jump into action to rescue their teacher.
The search for more pieces of his mom’s formula take Cruz and his friends to spectacular locations in India and Nepal, though getting there won't be easy. High in the Himalayas, Cruz is confronted by an old foe. In a life-and-death showdown, Cruz’s dogged determination to find the formula at any cost may come with a price higher than he ever expected to pay.
THE DRAGON'S BLOOD Book 6
From the jungles of Borneo to the forests of Tasmania, the explorers embark on some of their most challenging expeditions, so far. Is it possible that an animal once thought extinct still exists? If anyone can find it, it's the intrepid explorers of the Academy!
For Cruz, it is a time of self-discovery as he seeks to make sense of the family mystery he is slowly unraveling. His search for the seventh cipher leads him to an ancient city, even as he remains on the hunt for the explorer spy. Who is betraying him? And why?
More surprises are on the way as Cruz faces new revelations about his destiny and those who are determined to keep him from fulfilling it!
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THE FORBIDDEN ISLAND Book 7
As the explorers tackle their final missions of the school year in Antarctica and South America, an old foe surfaces to stop Cruz from finding the eighth and last piece of his mother's formula. Will Cruz come so close only to fail now? More shocking revelations await Cruz when the explorer spy is, at last, unmasked and a trusted friend commits the ultimate betrayal. In one final showdown with his biggest nemesis, Cruz must decide if fulfilling his mom's last wish is worth risking everything, even the lives of those he loves.
Who will win the North Star Award? Who will make the cut for next year? Don't miss the exciting conclusion to Cruz's adventures at Explorer Academy!
THE ADVENTURE CONTINUES ...
Look for the Explorers to return to the Academy in Series II, VELA!
More Adventure,
More Secrets,
More Danger!
REVIEWS
"A fun, exciting, action-packed ride that kids will love."
— J.J. Abrams
"Inspires the next generation of curious kids to go out into our world and discover something unexpected.”
— James Cameron
"This exciting series opener introduces young readers to the joys of science and nature."
— Publishers Weekly
"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."
— Kirkus Reviews
"Sure to appeal to kids who love code cracking and mysteries with cutting-edge technology."
— Booklist
"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
"Inspired by the adventures and research of real-life National Geographic explorers, Explorer Academy is exciting and smart."
— Karen Bokram
Editor-in-Chief, Girls' Life
"ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT! Explorer Academy is a fabulous feast for mind and heart - a thrilling, inspiring journey with compelling characters, wondrous places and the highest possible stakes."
— T.A. Barron
author of the Merlin Saga
"Nonstop action and a mix of full-color photographs and drawings throughout make this appealing to aspiring explorers and reluctant readers alike."
— School Library Journal