Escape Galápagos

(4 customer reviews)

$13.95

As Ezzy Skylar’s mother lay dying, her father promised to take Ezzy and her younger brother, Luke, to all of the places on his wife’s wonder-list, starting with the Galápagos Islands. There’s just one problem: while Luke loves all living things, Ezzy freaks out around wild animals. For her family, Ezzy must face her fears and walk with iguanas, swim with sea lions and sharks, and pretend to dance among blue-footed boobies. Things take a dangerous turn when hijackers take over their cruise ship. Ezzy, Luke, and Aiden, a teen they meet on the ship, are stranded on remote and wild Isabela Island, where an erupting volcano adds to the action and adventure. Ezzy must find bravery she never knew she had and rely on her little brother’s help to make their way across the island in an attempt to rescue a ship full of tourists and the animals of the Galápagos.

Author: Ellen Prager
Age Range : 9-12
Grades: 3-6
SKU: N/A Category: Product ID: 16190

 

 

Book Details:

  • ISBN: 9781943431557 
  • Genre: Children’s Fiction: Animals/Action & Adventure
  • Page Count: 180
  • Age Range: 9-12
  • Grades: 3-6
  • Lexile Level: 710
  • Pub Date: 01/10/2019

Illustrations

Dr. Prager is a marine scientist and author, widely recognized for her expertise and ability to make science entertaining and understandable for people of all ages. She currently works as a freelance writer, consultant, and science advisor to Celebrity Cruises in the Galapagos Islands. She was previously the Chief Scientist for the Aquarius Reef Base program in Key Largo, FL, which includes the world’s only undersea research station, and at one time the Assistant Dean at the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science.

Dr. Prager has built a national reputation as a scientist and spokesperson on earth and ocean science issues and is a sought after speaker for public-oriented events. She has appeared on The Today Show and NBC News, Good Morning America, CNN, Fox News, CBS Early Show, Larry King, The Weather Channel, in shows for the Discovery Channel and was a consultant for the Disney movie, Moana.

 

What people have said about Ellen’s previous middle-grade novels:

The Shark Whisperer is “…fun and compulsively readable…this is a perfect beach read for middle readers who want more realism with their adventure.”
– Booklist

“The Shark Rider is one of the best yarns you’ll ever read about the ocean, marine life, and a group of intrepid adventurous teens.”
– Jerry Schubel, Ph.D., President and CEO, Aquarium of the Pacific

For Stingray City: “…another original, compelling, and impressively entertaining action/adventure fantasy that is very
highly recommended for personal reading lists, as well as both school and community library Fantasy Fiction collections.”
– Midwest Book Review, Reviewer’s Bookwatch

“A trip to the Galápagos can be the adventure of a lifetime, but for Ezzy Skylar, it provides more adventure than she would ever want.

The Galápagos were at the top of Ezzy’s deceased, adventuresome mother’s to-visit list, and Ezzy, her father, and her little brother have embarked on a weeklong cruise in her memory. Luke loves animals, but Ezzy’s frankly afraid of anything wild, and in the Galápagos, the fearless wildlife are everywhere. Marine scientist Prager (The Shark Whisperer, 2014, etc.) knows these Ecuadorian islands well; she introduces many of their most interesting creatures while showing readers Ezzy’s discomfort. On their second full day out, animals become the least of her fears when smugglers hijack their ship. Their leader has big plans: He’s been capturing the unsuspecting animals for a Galápagos theme park and some genetic manipulation. Ezzy’s father, suspicious that the hijackers do not intend to let the paying passengers survive, sends his children off for a third day of island hikes with instructions not to return. Against all regulations, they and new friend Aiden scramble through Isabela Island’s overgrown interior and past an exploding volcano to find help. There’s little character development but plentiful adventure. The premise and setting of this series opener are convincing, almost making up for a too-convenient resolution. Ezzy, her family, Aiden, and the bad guys all seem to present white; the support staff is Ecuadorian.

A suspenseful tour for nature-loving middle graders.”
Kirkus Reviews

 

“Dr. Prager writes fantastic kid-friendly action stories. […] Kids who like animals or any of the Tristan Hunt books will love Escape Galápagos. Did I mention the animals are fantastic? I thought I could reach out and touch them.”
Sue Morris, KidLit Reviews

Tumble Home Learning