Explorer Academy: The Falcon's Feather (Book 2)

I am reading the Explorer Academy series with my 8 year old son. He loves science and adventure so this series is right up his alley. He's an excellent reader, and can read all the words on his own, but would get hung up on some of the dialogue and idioms so I read it with him and explain things that are unclear to him. We are on book 4 and he seems to love them all equally. He will have a hard time waiting until the next book comes out.

Fast paced story, excellent quality book with color art or graphics on nearly every page.

My 10 year old son had been waiting for this book since finishing the first one of the series and it did not disappoint. Both he and my 8 year old daughter have read it multiple times and has recommended it to others.

This is shaping up to be a great series!This is book 2 in the series Explorer Academy.This book is just as fast paced and well written as book 1.Even more so now because you know a little bit of history behind the main characters so now your invested in them.
I love that these are back by National Geographic because it makes feel like I'm sharing a great story with my family and even though its fiction you do a have a bit of truth about the places the characters visit,some history and science.
The only draw back (and I'm kinda picking at straws here)is that one of the villains of book 2 was easy to spot on early in the book.
Me and my daughter cant wait for book 3.If you enjoyed 39 clues before the series got way to long I think this book would be a great pick for you.

Why I chose this book:
After The Nebula Secret, I am excited to review this follow up from National Geographic. A review copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

Review:
The Falcon's Feather picks up right where its predecessor left off: Cruz and his fellow students are aboard the Orion for their semester at sea with the Explorer Academy. In addition to the curriculum, Cruz, Emmett, and Sailor are trying to decipher a clue left by Cruz's mom. Each clue will lead to a puzzle piece and the next clue. Once Cruz has found all puzzle pieces, he will have the formula for a powerful drug that can cure some of the worst diseases and injuries. Nebula Pharmaceuticals does not want this formula found, of course. In fact, it is they who caused the death of Cruz's mother and they who are behind the attacks on Cruz himself; this Big Pharma company will stop at nothing to stay obscenely profitable. One of the exciting developments in The Falcon's Feather is that we are given a firsthand glimpse of the villain's plans, and we find out that a student is working for them! The suspense was killing me as I read! Fear not, you can read on with no spoilers.

The groundwork for the series was laid in the first book, and now we get to accompany the youth explorers on their first mission. Cruz's class is asked to help rescue a pod of right whales, several of which have become entangled in fishing nets. The technology is again amazing, with a translator that interprets whale-song and allows Cruz to send a message of assurance and aide to the whales while his teammates cut the nets away. As before, back matter informs the reader about the real-life inspiration for events and gizmos (bycatch is a significant threat whales, but there are smart buoys that monitor whale presence in shipping corridors). It comes as no surprise that a book put forth by National Geographic would highlight endangered animals, man's impact on them, and man's responsibility. The second adventure for Cruz and his friends features melting glaciers and environmental change. These issues are the backdrop for the adrenaline rush that is Cruz's search for the puzzle piece, which takes him all the way to Iceland!

The diverse preteens are coming into their own as young people do over the course of a school year, developing friendships and crushes, making mistakes, and supporting one another. (But throughout, one can't help but wonder who the traitor is.) And as Trueit introduces animals and locations, she paints such vivid images that you can easily imagine yourself alongside Cruz. Again, the storytelling, the story, and the background message make for a thrilling and timely novel. Definitely a series to follow!

Also posted on my blog: Glass of Wine, Glass of Milk

If you are looking for a great read with wonderful characters and great adventures then you can't go wrong with this series.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

We return to 'Explorer Academy' aboard the Orion, the 'flagship of the Academy's fleet' in this excellent sequel to The Nebula Secret.
Split into teams, Cruz Coronado and his classmates continue their unique education while traveling across the globe. Cruz is determined to continue looking for the secrets his mother has left for him and in the meantime, he and his team, Team Cousteau, stay busy learning, inventing things, cracking codes, and more, for grades! But the secret organization that Cruz is hiding his mother's secrets from will stop at nothing to get what they want.

This is such an amazing series and I would expect nothing less of a National Geographic imprint! If you've ever enjoyed pouring over National Geographic magazines, educational books, or watched their documentaries, you sure to enjoy this fast-paced and adventurous middle-grade series.

Explorer Academy accepts only the brightest and best for their unique boarding school. Kids in this school learn all about science, technology, conservation, and more, all while being physically immersed in hands-on activities and adventures that will prepare them for real-world situations. In The Falcon's Feather, Cruz gets some first-hand experience steering submersibles and diving to save the whales!

These books are filled with fun content, learning opportunities, and lots of illustrations imposed over quality photography. There's also 'Truth Behind the Fiction' section included that explains some of the science, technology, and other advancements mentioned within this sequel!

Great sequel to explorer academy the nebula secret. I loved the description of Greenland and the ice caves. I would recommend to kids who are advanced readers or 6-7th grade.

Great series for science lovers!

A fun adventure book for kids.