Explorer Academy: The Falcon's Feather by Trudi Trueit

National Geographic takes on a new publishing venture with Explorer Academy, a fiction series combining action-adventure with science, technology and world exploration. Twelve-year-old Cruz Coronado is a member of Explorer Academy, an international team of young people training to become the world's future scientists. The Falcon’s Feather, second in the seven-book series, finds Cruz aboard the academy's flagship and headed to northern aquatic seas. He will be trained to swim in frigid waters and pilot a deep-sea exploratory vessel. The ship is equipped with fascinating technological gadgets: a helmet with an embedded computerized translator which allows the wearer to communicate with marine animals, clothing with bio-luminescent properties and the ability to change appearance to blend with surroundings, a drone that appears as a tiny insect but can transmit messages.

They killed your mother. They will not hesitate to kill you, too.

Extra. Extra. 

The Truth Behind

​Meet the real National Geographic Explorers who helped inspire the science in the book series. Watch them in action and find out how they’re changing the world through science and adventure in “Explorer Academy: The Truth Behind.”

Under Water by J. L. Powers

After the death of her beloved grandmother, seventeen-year-old Khosi and her nine-year-old sister Zi must face the world alone. Her aunt, accusing Khosi of witchcraft, has stripped the girls’ family home of its contents. They have only mattresses, a cracked plastic chair, and an ancient T.V. Working as a sangoma, a traditional Zulu healer, Khosi abandons her studies in order to support herself and her sister. This should have been her last year of school prior to university. She wanted to study nursing, practicing modern medicine along with traditional healing. Circumstances impel her to break the two promises she made to her grandmother: that she would complete her schooling and that she would not get seriously involved with her longtime boyfriend, Little Man. Tensions rise when her boyfriend becomes enmeshed in the local tsotsi's (gangster) taxi war and the body of a murdered Somali shop owner is left on her property. Destitute, pregnant with Little Man's child, her home destroyed by fire, Khosi knows that she must take her sister and flee.

"What do you suppose Gogo is doing right now on the other side?" Zi asks.
I shake my head. I don't have to suppose. I already know. "She and the other amadlozi are sitting around gossiping about the funeral," I say. "Gogo is laughing about how many people came for a free meal, people who never visited when she was alive."
Zi shakes her head. "That isn't funny,"
...
​"The things that matter to us when we are alive are not so important when we are dead," I say. "Gogo is glad they had a good meal. And she's touched by how many of them brought money to give to us."

Getting Acquainted with South Africa

Introduce students to the history and culture of South Africa and the Zulu People. These resources may serve as a starting point for further exploration.

100 Questions About Oceans by Simon Abbott

Simon Abbott's subject-specific trivia books are jam-packed with fascinating factoids.   100 Questions and About Oceans covers a wide range of ocean-related data including basic underwater geography and ecology, ecosystems, marine animal records, well-known marine biologists, historical shipwrecks, and protecting aquatic life.  ​Information is presented as a series of questions with corresponding answers, formatted in brief easy-to-read statements. How does the goblin shark hunt in the dark? ​Its snout is lined with natural sensors called ampulae, which detect weak electrical fields from living creatures. The shark simply tracks down its prey, open its retractable jaws, and ... chomp!

More Questions & Answers

Lowriders Blast from the Past
by Cathy Camper ill Raúl the Third

One look at the Lowriders Blast from the Past cover and it is evident that readers of this series are in for a totally different experience. The first two covers feature dark backgrounds synonymous with outer space and inner earth. Lupe's sweet ride, the modified Chevy Impala, cruises proudly across the cover.  This third book cover features a warm light tone. The signature lowrider automobile has been replaced. This ride is pedal-powered. Equally striking is Lupe Impala. Her distinctive facial feature, her nose, is much smaller and her hair is a mass of short curls. With this episode Cathy Camper and Raúl the Third take us the back in time. We meet young Lupe, traveling on a bike, similar to her transportation at the beginning of Lowriders in Space.

Initial pages introduce the backstories of the threesome.  Young mechanic Lupe Impala, her Mamá Impala owns of a junk store and Mamá Gazelle creates tissue paper decorations. Elirio Mararia mosquito, an artist whose father helps him collect words. El Chavo Flapjack octopus, cleaning expert whose family are talented performers. The trio encounter Los Matamoscas (The Flyswatters), who destroy Flappy’s bike and deface Elirio’s outdoor murals. The new friends team up repair the damage and then prepare Lupe’s moms’ car for a Lowriders competition. Los Matamoscas impose a series of bizarre rules that will disqualify Impala and Gazelle. The youngsters jump into the fray and triumphantly meet each obstacle. Their car enters and wins the competition. Even better, they enlist the help of their former tormentors and together create a stunning mural.

Riding with Lupe, Elirio, and Flappy

Bonus Discussion: Code Switching

In recent years, however, scholars have found there is sophisticated brain work behind code-switching, or CS, the linguistic term for switching between two languages in one conversation.

The Darkdeep by Ally Condie & Brendan Reichs

If I had a dollar for every time a student asked for a scary book, I could own a pair of Jimmy Choos. Let's face it: kids love creepy, spine tingling stories. Over time, this genre has consistently retained its appeal. R.L. Stein never goes out of style. Gaiman's Coraline, Black's Doll Bones, Baptist's The Jumbies, and Oppel's The Nest deliver contemporary horror to legions of young audiences. Now, a dynamic writing duo has tapped into middle grade fascination with horror. Ally Condie and Brendan Reichs invite kids to explore The Darkdeep. What if your worst nightmare came to life? What if the object of your childhood fears attacked you? What if a group of friends discovered that the terrifying figments of their collective imaginations took form? Twelve -year-old explorers Nico, Taylor, Emma, and Opal discover a mysterious island hidden beneath massive cliffs. A strange-looking houseboat is moored on the island’s pond. Filled with a collection of the bizarre, this floating oddity feels like a “psychopath’s attic.” But even more intriguing is a swirling pool of black liquid at the bottom of the houseboat.

Bonus

Coming to a city near you.... The Darkdeep launches a ten city tour, beginning October 1, 2018.

One lucky person's  will appear in next The Darkdeep book. Check out this offer to have a character named after you in the sequel.

Pocket Bios by ​Al Berenger

"You would need a big pocket to hold one of these." commented an adult when first encountering one of these micro-biographies. Measuring 5 3/4" tall by 7 1/4 " long, these little gems fit nicely into a small space and are perfect for small hands. Think ultra-thin board book. For such a small package, Berenger manages to pack in a sizable amount of information. Arranged chronologically, each page highlights in simple text a significant life event. Dates are boldly centered on the page's  bottom. A facing page illustrates the event in full color. Illustrations feature cartoon-style figures with proportionately large heads. Arresting bold color covers with a single cartoon image catch the eye. The unique size, shape, and color of the series presents an interesting shelving consideration. For the purposes of my users, I will shelve these tiny volumes as a series.

I'm the Best! by Constanze V. Kitzing ​

Look at the smug expression on the face of this young lion. Here is one cub who exudes self-confidence, convinced that I'm the Best! He sets off into the wild to proclaim his prowess to other members of the animal kingdom, announcing to each that he is: the loudest, the fiercest, the prettiest, etc. Each boast from the lion is met with the retort, "oh really?" Eventually he comes to the realization that there are other animals who have some superior attributes. All ends well. His younger brother arrives and after a playful romp, admiringly announces that his older brother is "the best." A delightful picture book that celebrates the unique qualities that make each individual special.

Meet Constanze von Kitzing

Here is a sample of von Kitzing's  fun interactive activities. Sign up to receive a copy of the idea newsletter.

Instructions and animated images for painting carnival faces.

Spot the differences coloring page. Download this family tree template which can be customized for one, two, or three children.

Please may I have some more?

Did you know that there are two additional Little Lion titles? This trio of tales follow this cub who has a major attitude. He taunts boldly Can't Catch Me! and seeks a nighttime playmate when he asks Are You Sleeping? ​Triple reading pleasure.

Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi

Full disclosure. I resisted reading this book. Don’t get me wrong. I enjoyed Riordan’s the Olympians series. But if this was another "child of a mythological god" wanna be, I wasn’t interested. Eventually I picked up the volume, started to read, and instantly realized that I was wrong. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. The first few pages convinced me. This is no weak Percy Jackson remake. ​Roshani Chokshi has taken the concept, turned it inside out, ripped out the old construction, removed the fabric, woven a new tapestry and created something fresh and sparkling. She has breathed new life into a mythological adventure for middle grade readers. ​After the first chapter, I could not stop reading. I skipped meals and didn’t want to put the book down to search for food. Reading was more important than a growling stomach. This book is that good! Here some of the reasons why Aru Shah and the End of Time captivated me:

The Creature of the Pines by Adam Gidwitz ill Hatem Aly

Created by Jesse Casey, Adam Gidwitz, and Chris Smith

Can we start with the ring? This ring is the finger adornment that dreams are made of.       Defende Fabulos Defend the Imaginary      Potege Mythica​ Protect the Mythical Just think of it. ​It is noble. It speaks of grandeur.  This is one amazingly cool ring. ​I understand that it may only be worn by members of the Unicorn Rescue Society. ​​Professor Fauna, sign me up now. Please.

It's Elliot Eisner's first day at a new school and already he's feeling more than a little uneasy. The day is starting with a field trip. Boarding a bus with students he doesn't know, supervised by a teacher he has never met, and heading into the Pine Barrens of New Jersey does not appear to be a promising start.  Elliot and his new-found friend Uchenna Devereaux soon learn that this field trip will not be like any other school excursion they have experienced.  A very strange-looking man, with hair that "stood up from his scalp like he was in the habit of kissing electric eels" introduces himself to the busload of students as Professor Fauna and promises them a dangerous expedition. "Indeed. Danger is the greatest teacher." Then it happens. Elliot and Uchenna encounter a small furry blue creature, shaped like deer, with claws on its two front  feet and red bat-like wings.  It is a Jersey Devil, resident of the Pine Barrens.  Not only do they see this mythical creature, they carefully hide it in Uchenna's backpack.

Stay Connected to the Society

The Unicorn Rescue Society Book Tour with Adam Gidwitz April 7 Book Launch 4-6 pm @ Brooklyn Pubic Library, Central Library, Dweck Center  April 19 California 4 PM @ Copperfield's Books, Petaluma  April 21 Cavalcade of Authors Washington State University, Tricities May 21 Chicago 4:30 PM @ The Book Stall, Winnetka June 28 Follett's Reading Con, Northern Illinois University Conference Center,Naperville July 13 BYU Books for Young Readers  @Provo City Library at Academy Square, Provo

Meet Mr.Gidwitz

Join the Unicorn Rescue Society

Get Ready for a New Adventure

Shaka Rising: A Legend of the Warrior Prince
by Luke W. Molver & Mason O'Conner
Forward by Mbongeni Malaba, Ph.D. 

Shaka Rising: A Legend of the Warrior Prince by Luke W. Molver and Mason O'Connor introduces readers to the early life and ascent to power of the founder of the Zulu Kingdom.  Shaka was born in the 18th century, during the American Revolution and French Revolution. At that time small clans dotted the continent, vying for supremacy. Some chiefs sold conquered individuals to slave traders. With this practice, the southeast coast became "a wound” on Africa’s coastline.   Shaka temporarily left the Zulu clan to serve as an army commander under the tutelage of King Dingiswayo. Through victorious battles and strategic planning, he defeated his competition and united the warring factions to create the Kingdom of the Zulu. African society and Shaka receive even-handed treatment. Throughout the narrative, heroic feats contrast with glaring character flaws. This balance adds credibility to the account. Note:  I'm still hurting over Shaka's insistence, despite her objections, that his sister must marry for political gain.

Several interesting visual devices bring the story to life. Setting the story within the context of a storyteller relating the legend to a group gathered around a fire is an excellent way to reinforce the importance of the African oral tradition.  Hand and facial close-ups inset within the context of sweeping visual backgrounds highlight both the overall result, as well as the personal impact of key events. During intense battle scenes panels depart from the rectangular shape with diagonal frames. Mbongeni Malaba's Forward places the story in context and provides the legend's academic foundation.  An illustrated "cast of characters" is helpful in identifying key individuals.