You’ve Been Accepted…to the Explorer Academy!
Welcome to Day #9 of the Explorer Academy: The Nebula Secret Blog Tour!
Meet a Real-life Explorer!
by The Explorer Academy Team
In Explorer Academy: The Nebula Secret, well, guess what: There’s a BIG secret! And it has something to do with 12-year-old Cruz Coronado’s mom’s mysterious past and legacy. She too attended Explorer Academy and later worked at the Synthesis researching ways to use animal venom to cure diseases. That’s all we’ll tell you for now … but we will introduce you to one of the real National Geographic explorers who inspired some of the action in the book.
Zoltan Takacs is a biomedical scientist and inventor who tracks dangerous venomous creatures all over the globe. He has had many fascinating encounters with giant—and deadly—snakes, scorpions, spiders, etc. from the Amazon rain forest to the wilds of Africa. Why does he do it? Besides the thrill of the adventure, he is studying how deadly venoms can create life-saving medicines.
Takacs discovered his passion at an early age and found a way to make a career out of it. As he explains: “Since I was a kid, my dream has been to track and capture the most dangerous creatures in the world. I don’t just do it for fun though. Venomous creatures kill their prey with toxins, but many of those toxins can be used to create new medicines. That’s why I chase these animals. I help collect and study their toxins.
In this unique fact-based fiction series, kids will read about fictional characters inspired by real people like Takacs, who are doing some pretty crazy and wonderful things to make the world a better place. Check out the Truth Behind the Fiction section in the back of every book that profiles Nat Geo explorers and their work.
Meet a wildlife conservationist and a roboticist at exploreracademy.com.
September 4th — Kid Lit Frenzy
September 5th — Beach Bound Books
September 6th — Java John Z’s
September 7th — YA and Kids Books Central
September 10th — Christy’s Cozy Corners
September 11th — Chat with Vera
September 12th — A Dream Within a Dream
September 13th — Book Briefs
September 14th — Jean Book Nerd
The Explorer Academy: The Nebula Secret by Trudi Trueit
Adventure, danger, and a thrilling global mission await 12-year-old Cruz Coronado as he joins an elite school for explorers.Cruz leaves his tranquil home in Hawaii to join 23 talented kids from around the globe to train at the Explorer Academy with the world’s leading scientists to become the next generation of great explorers. But for Cruz, there’s more at stake. No sooner has he arrived at the Academy than he discovers that his family has a mysterious past with the organization that could jeopardize his future. In the midst of codebreaking and cool classes, new friends and augmented reality expeditions, Cruz must tackle the biggest question of all: Who is out to get him, and why?
Readers can get in on the excitement with puzzles and codes embedded throughout.
Buy: National Geographic | Amazon | Indiebound
About the Author: Author Trudi Trueit is a gifted storyteller for middle-grade audiences. She has written more than 100 books for young readers, both fiction and nonfiction, including The Sister Solution, Stealing Popular and the Secrets of a Lab Rat series. Trueit lives in Everett, Washington.Follow Trudi: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Youtube
Follow National Geographic Kids: Website | Twitter | Books Twitter | Facebook | Youtube
There are two giveaways! To enter, fill out the rafflecopter below to win.
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- One (1) winner will receive a copy of Explorer Academy: The Nebula Secret, plus an Explorer Academy tote, stickers, folder, poster and pin!
- US/Canada only
Note: Book Briefs Contest Policy applies. All of the prizes, terms and conditions of the giveaway should be contained in the rafflecopter below. No Purchase necessary to enter. Void where prohibited by law.
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