Explorer Academy: The Nebula Secret by Trudi Truett

With Explorer Academy, National Geographic launches an action sci-fi series taking readers to the world’s natural wonders.

The Nebula Secret (Explorer Academy #1) by Trudi
Truett.  National Geographic Partners,
2018, 205 pages

Reading Level: Middle
Grades, ages 10-12

Recommended for: ages 10-14

Cruz Coronado has been
accepted into the elite Explorers Academy, a high-tech, cutting-edge facility
in Washington D. C.  He’s hoping it’s not
because his Aunt Marisol is an instructor there, but soon he has other
worries.  In short, it appears someone is
trying to stop him: to disable, delay, perhaps even kill him.  His mother was involved in a top-secret
project before she died in a work related “accident”—could his unknown foe have
killed her too?

The plot construction of this series-opener is awkward, like the author took some tried and true devices and stuck them together to launch a series featuring geographical facts.  Those facts are interesting, though; once the kids are launched on their actual explorer’s mission (this book is mostly setup) the narrative and characters may develop in a worthy literary way.  Fun fact: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe plays a crucial role in the plot.  For the educational value, it may be worth hanging in for another installment or two. The Falcon’s Feather is already available, and The Double Helix appears in September.

Cautions: None

Overall Rating: 3.5 (out of 5)

Worldview/moral value: 4Artistic value: 3The post Explorer Academy: The Nebula Secret by Trudi Truett appeared first on Redeemed Reader.