"Cruz and his fellow recruits tackle challenging missions to dispense life-saving medication to gorillas, thwart pangolin poachers, and capture images of the last known cheetahs in Namibia--all the while discovering that protecting the world's threatened species is a dangerous business. Things turn deadly for Lani, Sailor, Emmett, and Cruz as they search for the fourth piece of Cruz's mom's cipher. Cruz knows it's not going to be easy, but will an unexpected guest bring a disastrous end to the search? In this global game of cat and mouse, one mistake may cost you the ultimate price"--

Cruz, Sailor, Emmett, and the gang are on their way to Africa when Nebula misses their intended target and someone close to Cruz ends up on the brink of death. Secrets creep out from the shadows and leave Cruz with more questions than answers in this fourth title in the hit series. A major discovery forces the Explorer Academy into the limelight in The Star Dunes, but Cruz has much more on his mind than 15 minutes of fame. A new face on board the ship brings Cruz's worlds colliding, just as a major close call tears them apart. En route to Africa, Team Cousteau is now down a major player, and Cruz can't help but be preoccupied by the hole in his life. The discovery of his mom's next clue leads him to the most exotic location yet--a vast desert--with no other information to lead the way, while an unlikely ally helps Cruz pursue another piece of the puzzle. Just as things seem like they might turn out alright, 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.

"Cruz and his fellow recruits tackle challenging missions to dispense life-saving medication to gorillas, thwart pangolin poachers, and capture images of the last known cheetahs in Namibia--all the while discovering that protecting the world's threatened species is a dangerous business. Things turn deadly for Lani, Sailor, Emmett, and Cruz as they search for the fourth piece of Cruz's mom's cipher. Cruz knows it's not going to be easy, but will an unexpected guest bring a disastrous end to the search? In this global game of cat and mouse, one mistake may cost you the ultimate price"--

Twelve-year-old Cruz Coronado leaves his home in Hawaii to study and travel with other young people invited to attend the elite Explorer Academy in Washington, D.C., but a family connection to the organization could jeopardize his future.

An explosive revelation and a familiar face in the sixth book in this adventure-packed series. Still reeling from the life-changing discovery he found buried in the mysterious archive, Cruz Coronado grapples with an important secret as the gang heads to China in search of the second-to-last piece of the cipher. Under the watchful eye of a new adviser, life on the ship returns to almost normal...Almost. Just as things seem to be going smoothly, a familiar face shocks Cruz back into reality, and the final piece in this life-and-death scavenger hunt veers toward a dead end. Explorer Academy features: Gripping fact-based fiction plot that inspires curiosity with new technology and innovations; Amazing inventions and gadgets; A cast of diverse, relatable characters; Secret clues, codes, and ciphers to track down within the text; Vibrant illustrations, Elements of STEAM; National Geographic explorer profiles in The Truth Behind Section. Complete your collection with: The Nebula Secret (1) The Falcon's Feather (2) The Double Helix (3) The Star Dunes (4) The Tiger's Nest (5) Explorer Academy Code-Breaking Adventure Explorer Academy Ultimate Activity Challenge Explorer Academy Field Journal Explorer Academy Future Tech

NOW IN PAPERBACK: On an island nation in the Indian Ocean, the explorers venture through a vast underwater world and take part in a friendly robotics competition. But the tides of good fortune change quickly. Suddenly, Team Cousteau jumps into action to rescue a faculty member from the brink of disaster. Meanwhile, the team follows Cruz's mother's clues to a magnificent tomb and center of spirituality precariously perched on the side of a cliff. There, Cruz is confronted by a familiar foe who's determined to stop him from completing his most important mission of all: retrieving the final pieces of his mother's cipher. In this life-and-death showdown, Cruz witnesses the ultimate sacrifice and uncovers a hidden message that makes him question his own mortality. The paperback edition includes the same great content and back matter as the original hardcover. And don't forget to check out the other books in the series: Explorer Academy: The Nebula Secret (1) Explorer Academy: The Falcon's Feather (2) Explorer Academy: The Double Helix (3) Explorer Academy: The Star Dunes (4) Explorer Academy: The Dragon's Blood (6) Explorer Academy Future Tech Explorer Academy Field Journal Explorer Academy Ultimate Activity Challenge Explorer Academy Codebreaking Activity Adventure Praise for the series: "This exciting, fast-paced, far-flung story is full of science facts and James Bond-like gadgets, accompanied by colored illustrations. The ending is guaranteed to keep readers eager for the next series installment." -Booklist "...a fully packed high-tech adventure that offers both cool, educational facts about the planet and a diverse cast of fun characters." -Kirkus Reviews "A fun, exciting, and action-packed ride that kids will love." -J.J. Abrams "I promise: Once you enter Explorer Academy, you'll never want to leave." -Valerie Tripp

Up2U Adventures?where the ending is Up2U! When young Archer and his partner, Bull, find a silver vein in the Arizona desert, they think they will be rich. But Cactus Flats is a town with many dangers and men waiting to double-cross them. Will Bull and Archer survive the Wild West? The ending is Up2U. Calico Chapter Books is an imprint of Magic Wagon, a division of ABDO Group. Grades 2-5.