Surprise at Blowcart Beach

Sharon Estroff is the founder and creator of ChallengeIsland, a STEAM program created for children’s education and enrichment toteach twenty-first-century skills through project-based learning. Sharon isalso an author and an award-winning elementary school teacher, parenting andeducation expert, speaker, and freelance writer with work published in numerouspublications, including Scholastic, Parent andChild, Woman’s Day, and GoodHousekeeping. She continues her passion in children’s education byrunning the Challenge Island program from her home in Atlanta, Georgia.Joel Ross is an award-winning author of bothchildren’s and adult books. He has received the Cybils Award among otherhonors, and was also named to the Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List. Joellives in Santa Barbara, California.Mónica de Rivas is a children’s book illustrator who haspublished her work internationally, from Europe to North America to Asia. Eversince she was a young girl, she loved drawing, reading, and writing stories.She studied illustration at the School of Art and Design San Telmo, Malaga, andspecializes in digital illustration. Mónica currently lives in Spain.

Praise for The Bridge to Sharktooth Island, Book 1:"This story introduces three fifth graders forced to use their individual strengths and talents to work together and problem-solve their way out of trouble. Estroff's clever prose helps readers think, plan, and create with STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math). These are perfect for a technology-focused classroom and lessons, as well as adventure-loving students. Expressive illustrations throughout the chapters help readers to see the models as they are envisioned by the characters. Fun additions at the end of the story include shark facts, Leonardo da Vinci–inspired experiments, and instructions for readers to create their own truss bridge. This is a great STEAM-infused addition to the fiction section of any elementary or middle school library."—School Library Journal"[The Bridge to Sharktooth Island] could provide a useful support for teachers and parents to involve children in STEAM and an engaging context for further STEAM and technological 'design and build' problem-solving."—Primary SciencePraise for The Race Across Anaconda Swamp, Book 2:"For early grade readers who revel in science-based fiction, this is a winning read. Animals, physics, and habitats are among the topics covered, with lots of instances where the reader can predict and hypothesize along with the characters. Kimani, who is Black, has an impressive head for science and builds in many of the facts that help the group solve problems together. Sleek black and white cartoon art complements the text, adding visual clues. Science experiments and craft projects from each character are at the end."—Youth Services Book Review"In this follow-up to The Bridge to Sharktooth Island, optimistic Joy, cautious Daniel, and studious Kimani find themselves transported once again to a magical island where they have to solve a series of puzzles to escape the middle of the rainforest before darkness falls. . . Supplementary materials at the back include STEAM projects and fun facts introduced by the main characters that a science-loving child will enjoy. The story is engaging, educational, and peppered with cute illustrations… a fun purchase for the easygoing young reader in love with animals and books."—School Library Journal