There’s something unusual about the newest title from National Geographic. It’s still loaded with science, history, and technology topics we’ve come to expect—ones I’ve championed many times the past few years at ALWAYS in the MIDDLE. What makes THE NEBULA SECRET unique is it’s their first fiction novel for middle grade readers. And what a fun and thrilling ride it turns out to be.

The story centers around a special school in Washington D.C. where only the best potential young explorers are invited to attend. Twelve-year-old Cruz Coronado from Hawaii is accepted to be in the newest class and joins 23 others from around the globe. Told in third person it centers around Cruz as he attempts to figure out what Nebula is and the true reason his mother died seven years ago.

Filled with diverse and not always perfect characters (including Cruz), the adventure is accompanied by frequent color illustrations. Twenty-one chapters provide much intrigue and fun through the advanced classes the young explorers take. The mystery is what propels the story forward to an exciting and an “I did not see that coming” conclusion. But wait… the story will continue with Book 2 THE FALCON’S FEATHER and a companion codebreaking activity book set for release in Spring, 2019.

Author Trudi Trueit has penned a fantastic story sure to please kids for many years to come.

THE EXPLORER ACADEMY website lets you read Chapter one, play a game of Crack the Code, and explore topics from THE NEBULA SECRET in more detail.

A family of four will win the Explorer Academy Sweepstakes—a shipboard adventure through Alaska’s Inside Passage courtesy of National Geographic Expeditions. Enter here!

Watch the official one minute trailer with scenes from the story!

THE OFFICIAL PLOT (From the author’s website)

Twelve-year-old Cruz Coronado has been invited to become part of an elite group of young explorers at the prestigious Academy in Washington, D.C. Yet even before Cruz can leave his home in Hawaii, an attempt is made on his life. Things only get more complicated, and dangerous, when Cruz arrives in the nation’s capital. Someone wants him dead and it may involve a secret his mom took with her to the grave seven years ago. Join Cruz and his fellow explorers as they travel the globe, following clues and cracking codes to unlock a mystery that could change their world, and ours, forever. Be sure to look for the hidden puzzles and codes embedded throughout the book! 

ALL ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Trudi Trueit imagined a career as a novelist ever since writing, her first play in the fourth grade. A former TV news reporter and weather forecaster, Trudi has published more than 100 fiction and nonfiction books for young readers.

Trudi’s fiction books include My Top Secret Dares & Don’ts, The Sister Solution, Stealing Popular, and the Secrets of a Lab Rat series (all from Aladdin). Trudi’s numerous nonfiction titles cover such topics as history, weather, wildlife, earth science, writing, education, and health. Recent releases include Detecting Avalanches & Detecting Volcanic Eruptions (FOCUS Readers); Giant Pandas, Grizzly Bears, and Polar Bears from the Wild Bears series (Amicus). Look for Explorer Academy, her new children’s fiction series for National Geographic, coming Sept 4, 2018!

Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Trudi graduated suma cum laude with a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA. She currently lives in Everett, WA with her husband and their cats. She loves photography, painting, and all things chocolate.

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Coming up next week is another…

If you would like to join in the MMGM fun, all you have to do is blog about a middle grade book on a Monday (contests, author interviews and whatnot also count–but are most definitely not required) and email me the title of the book you’re featuring and a link to your blog at gpcolo (at) gmail (dot) com

 (Make sure you put MMGM or Marvelous Middle Grade Monday in the subject line so it gets sorted accurately–and please don’t forget to say what book you’re featuring) You MUST email me your link by Sunday evening (11 PM Eastern Time) in order to be included in the list of links for the coming Monday.

Thanks for spreading the middle grade love and for being a part of this awesome tradition begun by Shannon Messenger and carried on here at ALWAYS in the MIDDLE! (CLICK HERE FOR PAST MMGM POSTS)

*Please note: these posts are not a reflection of my own opinions on the books featured. Each blogger is responsible for their own MMGM content and I do not pre-screen reviews ahead of time, nor do I control what books they choose. I simply assemble the list based on the links that are emailed to me.