The Surprise at Blowcart Beach - (Challenge Island) by Sharon Duke Estroff & Joel Ross

About the Book

Book Synopsis

Sail across sand
dunes and streams on a handmade boat in Book 3 of the Challenge Island
series!

Finding themselves
transported to a magical island once again, Daniel, Joy, and Kimani emerge from
a mysterious cave to see blue waters--they're by the beach! And in the near
distance, across large sand dunes and up a hill, stands a familiar tall tower.
There, the pirate Captain Wei awaits with all the answers to their questions...
if they ever reach the tower in time.

Using items stashed
around the cave, the friends must build themselves a blowcart and use wind
power to sail across the bumpy beach. But how do they make a cart fast and
sturdy enough to carry the three of them? See what surprises are in store for
the three friends in this new Challenge Island adventure!

Included at the back of
the book are cool facts about real sea pirates and ships, plus fun STEAM
activities you can do at home, like how to build your own blowcart and make
pirate treasure slime.

From the world's #1 STEAM
(Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) program and education enrichment
program, Challenge Island(R) presents an exciting new adventure for smart, curious
kids. This is Book 3 in the Challenge Island series.

Review Quotes

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 Science

Praise 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