Synopses & Reviews
Tristan Hunt always felt awkward and clumsy, but his summer gets a little brighter when he's invited to a special marine summer camp in the Florida Keys. He soon discovers that all the campers have special talents in the water, and the camp itself is a training ground for his owncommunicating with sharks and sting rays, and swimming much faster than the other campers. But the fun and games come to a halt when the Camp Director receives distress calls from the ocean animals, and even the youngest campers must help. When Tristan Hunt and the other Sea Guardians head to the Bahamas to help the sharks, dolphins, and aquatic birds, will they be able to use their young talents to outwit an evil shark-finning, reef-blasting billionaire?
Review
A Foreword Reviews' 2014 IndieFab Award Finalist for Juvenile Fictionand#147;Like author Rick Riordan, who mixes adventure with Greek myths, [Prager] writes books that include action and humor, science and sea creatures.and#8221; and#151;The Washington Post, KidsPost section
"...the sea life, along with reefs, bioluminescence and other marine wonders, is generally depicted by Prager, a marine scientist, in accurate, vivid detail. ...thereand#8217;s more than enough action and humor to pull readers along. ...a splashy startup with a promising premise." and#151; Kirkus Reviews
"Ellen Prager takes her readers on an exciting, action-packed adventure into the mysterious world of the deep, with an edge of fantasy that only the most vivid imagination could conjure up. A rollicking ride of fun, that also imparts to her young readers a valuable education about the marine world, and the fascinating creatures that live in and around it." and#151; Sam Champion, host of Sea Rescue, Weather Editor ABC NEWS
"Here's one book that as a father and an ocean lover I can wholeheartedly recommend. Take the adventure, dive in, and happy reading!" and#151; Bob Woodruff, ABC News correspondent
"The Shark Whisperer, Dr. Ellen Pragerand#8217;s first middle grade book, followed by her second, The Shark Rider are part of the Tristan Hunt and Sea Guardians series. The ocean adventure series follows Tristan and his friends as they arrive at summer camp, where they develop unusual, but exciting ocean powers. ... This fun series is written by oceanographer and researcher, Dr. Ellen Prager who is passionate about ocean science, and hopes to educate middle graders about current ocean issues, as well as encourage young readers to get involved in the preservation of ocean life. The series meets the Common Core Standards for English Language Arts and Science. A free downloadable Educatorand#8217;s Guide with language arts and science activities is available."and#151;Current: The Journal of Marine Education, Vol. 29, No. 2, June 2015
"No need to whisper: I very much like, like, like this highly readable, highly unusual way of looking at the ocean.and#8221; and#151; Carl Safina, author of Song for the Blue Ocean and host of PBS Saving the Ocean
"The Shark Whisperer is packed with science laced with humor and adventureand#151;an underwater Harry Potter, sure to inspire readers to want to dive in and experience the ocean for themselves." and#151; Sylvia A. Earle, National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence
"A wonderful read that grips you from the very beginning. This empowering story of a group of young people who band together to save the oceans and change the world is a terrific adventure; funny, exciting, and entertaining...don't miss it." and#151; Philippe Cousteau, Explorer and Environmental Advocate
"Those who know Prager well wouldnand#8217;t be astounded to find her delving into the realm of ocean science and youth fiction. Throughout her career, Prager always made it a priority to involve young minds." and#151; Miami Herald
"As the first book of author and researcher Ellen Pragerand#8217;s Tristan Hunt and the Sea Guardians series, The Shark Whisperer appeals to middle school readers with a combination of humor, adventure, and fantasy that is sure to spark curiosity among young minds about real-world ocean issues. ... The Tristan Hunt and the Sea Guardians series and#150; with illustrations by Antonio Javier Caparo and#150; is sure to be of interest to various marine educational programs and young fantasy and adventure fiction readers. Author Dr. Ellen Pragerand#8217;s expertise in marine science and ocean advocacy brings the series to life with vivid and accurate descriptions of marine species and the threats they face, woven among plenty of action and humor." and#151; Mission Blue
Synopsis
After his most klutzy move ever, falling into a pool of sharks, things for Tristan Hunt begin to look up. Tristan is invited to an ocean-themed summer camp in the Florida Keys where he discovers that he and the other young teens there have very special and rare talents when it comes to the ocean. After the camp receives a distress call from ocean animals, Tristan and his new friends get pulled into a daring rescue in the Bahamas. With the help of sharks, dolphins, a quick-escape artist octopus, and some seabird bombers, the campers must use their young talents in an attempt to outwit an evil shark-finning, reef-blasting billionaire.
About the Author
Dr. Ellen Prager is a marine scientist and author, formerly the chief scientist at the worlds only undersea research station in the Florida Keys. With her ability to make science fun and understandable for people of all ages, she has built a national reputation as a spokesperson on earth and ocean science issues. She has appeared on
The Today Show,
Good Morning America,
CNN,
CBS,
NPR,
The Discovery Channel, and more. Dr. Prager has participated in research expeditions to locations such as the Galapagos Islands, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and throughout the Caribbean. She now acts as the science advisor to the Celebrity Cruise ship Xpedition in the Galapagos. She lives in Miami, Florida, where she spends her time writing, consulting, and spending as much time on and in the ocean.
Antonio Javier Caparo is an illustrator, comic artist, and graphic designer. His works have been published in children books, young reader books, and magazines in North America, South America, and Europe.
Table of Contents
1 Tristan Falls into the Shark Pool / 1
2 Sea Camp and the Jungle Wall / 11
3 The Giant Slimy Snail Café / 27
4 The Campers Put on a Show / 41
5 A Swim Surprise / 51
6 A Polite Conversation with an Octopus / 69
7 Finned Informants Deliver a Message / 89
8 Tristan Tries to Stay on a Sharks Good Side / 103
9 Wave Pool Training Cut Short / 115
10 A Fib and a Field Trip / 125
11 Coach Offers to Do Loops and Rolls / 131
12 An Undersea Laser Light Show / 139
13 Tripped up by a Really Big Bird / 155
14 Conference in a Cave / 163
15 Hermit Crabs go on Recon / 171
16 Precision Targeting Brings the Smelly Rain /183
17 The Seasquirts Go Overboard / 193
18 Tristan Nearly Gets Swallowed by Sand / 205
19 The Flying Iguana / 221
20 A Shocking Discovery Revealed / 239
21 The Return to Sea Camp / 247
22 Snaggle-Tooth Smiles / 257
Note From the Author / 275