The Bridge to Sharktooth Island (Challenge Island STEAM Adventure #1)

Gr 2-5--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. Daniel, an avid gamer described as having dark skin, and Joy, an energetic risk-taker described as having "reddish hair" and blue eyes, hear the sounds of drumming while building a snowman in the front yard. They are magically transported to a tropical island where they meet Kimani, a young Black girl, who was reading in her local library and also heard the drumming. Together they find a treasure chest with supplies and a riddle encouraging them to build a bridge to safety. They encounter sharks and an art-loving, talking parrot named Da Vinci. Estroff's clever prose helps readers think, plan, and create with STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math). The characters are visually introduced to pictures of real bridges to consider when building, such as the Tower Bridge in London and the Sydney Harbor Bridge in Australia. Together they create, fail, and create again to build the strongest bridge using STEAM principles. This is the first in a series that combines adventure and STEAM with a little bit of magic. 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. VERDICT This is a great STEAM-infused addition to the fiction section of any elementary or middle school library.--Christina Pesiri, Island Trees H.S., Levittown, NY

One of Children's Book Council's Hot off the Press picks for November 2021

"From bridge-building, to learning facts about sharks, to doing art or math, it's a full-STEAM ahead adventure!"
—A Net in Time

Praise for Challenge Island:

"One thing that makes Challenge Island stand out is what it lacks. You'll find no screens or digital devices in a Challenge Island after-school class, camp or family night. Instead, kids working together in collaborative teams, are encouraged to use imagination, teamwork, and problem-solving skills to come up with creative solutions to challenges using a treasure-chest full of low-tech art supplies."
—Entrepreneur Magazine

"Challenge Island engages kids in virtual STEAM activities they'll actually enjoy. Kids can learn to make slime, cast spells, play sports, blast off (virtually) into space, and more. In its in-person form, Challenge Island has consistently ranked as a top franchise in Entrepreneur Magazine, and the program won a Parents' Choice Award in 2018. Each camp is taught live by certified instructors, with class materials available for shipping or pickup. Kids interact with each other throughout the experience during collaborative projects or sharing sessions. Some classes are available in Spanish, too."
—Insider, on Challenge Island camps

"As schools continue to transition to more virtual learning, teachers and parents have to be creative with how they keep young children engaged and entertained. Challenge Island, an internationally known STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) program, is now offering virtual resources."
—NPR, on Challenge Island camps

"The coronavirus pandemic has thrown a serious wrench into most summer camp plans for kids. Thankfully, there are still options for kids and parents to keep busy and active while maintaining safe social distancing through virtual summer camps. These programs will keep your children happy while we all work through the COVID-19 crisis. For summer classes for kids or even fun summer school for kid ideas, here's the best virtual summer camp ideas for kids K-12. . . Challenge Island (Entrepreneur Magazine's top-ranked STEAM enrichment program for 2018, 2019 and 2020) rolled out 'Home Island' virtual camps, allowing kids to experience all the magic of Challenge Island's wildly popular summer camps from the safety and comfort of home."
—Parade Magazine, on Challenge Island camps