The Shark Whisperer (33 page)

I hope you had as much fun reading the book as I
did writing it and that you will look forward to diving into the next Tristan Hunt and the Sea Guardians adventure. If you want to learn more about the books, me, or the sea creatures and science in the book go to
www.tristan-hunt.com
. Dive in and as always, happy reading!

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

F
IRST
,
TO THE EDUCATORS
,
PARENTS
,
AND TEENS
who repeatedly asked me for something ocean oriented specifically for middle graders, thank you. Your requests got the ball rolling. I'd also like to thank an author whose creativity, wit, and sarcasm were a tremendous inspiration and continue to bring me joy and laughter. Thank you Rick Riordan, I'm a huge Percy Jackson fan. Much appreciation goes to my family and friends for their tireless support and somehow giving me the courage to dive into the sea and take risks. Many thanks also to my intrepid group of morning swimmers in Biscayne Bay. You've kept me wet and sane throughout this entire process. And to Buzzy Darden, my faithful swimming and coffee conspirator, who has been there for all the ups and downs
of this project. My wholehearted gratitude to you for your support, enthusiasm, and friendship; perseverance is so much easier with a friend laughing by your side. Kathy, you are my sister, friend, and lend a great ear whenever needed, even if you are bias in your reviews—thanks. To all my fantastic test readers, Ellie, Andy, Lily, Margaret, Wyn (and your parents), and Peg, you've been terrific, love your comments, and keep those very helpful suggestions coming. To young Jay Swallow whom I met in the British Virgin Islands on a research trip for book number two. Your enthusiasm for the project was infectious, inspiring, and a gold star to you for helping me with the series title (Tristan Hunt and the Sea Guardians). Thanks also to my agent, Janell Agyeman, for her long efforts, continued perseverance, and belief in the project. Huge hugs. And almost last, but certainly not least, I am especially grateful to Scarletta Press for the vision and will to support something new and different. Thank you to everyone there for making this happen and for all of your hard work, including Nancy Tuminelly, Nora Evans, Josh Plattner, Desirée Dillehay, Chris Long, Anders Hanson, and editor Karen Kenney. Finally, a
wow
to illustrator Antonio Javier Caparo for his fantastic cover and illustrations, which have helped bring my vision to fruition beautifully.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

W
ITH HER ABILITY TO MAKE SCIENCE FUN AND
understandable for people of all ages,
Dr. Ellen Prager,
a marine scientist and author in Miami, Florida, has built a national reputation as a spokesperson on earth and ocean science issues. She has participated in research expeditions to locations such as the Galapagos Islands, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and throughout the Caribbean. Formerly the chief scientist at the world's only undersea research station in the Florida Keys, she now acts as the science advisor to the Celebrity Cruise ship
Xpedition
in the Galapagos.

Devoured
The Shark Whisperer
? Get ready to dive in to the second book of the Tristan Hunt and the Sea Guardians series!

After thwarting the dastardly plans of JP Rickerton, Tristan Hunt is having trouble keeping his newfound talents a secret. And if undercover spies and a mysterious illness threatening to expose the secrets of camp weren't enough, reports of dying fish and disappearing sponge in the Caribbean call Tristan and his friends back into action. Will the Sea Guardians discover the source of the problem before time runs out? Can they escape the threat of an oncoming storm? Or will a betrayal from one of their own ensure it's already too late?

AVAILABLE SPRING 2015!

Can't get enough of Tristan Hunt and his talented friends? Check out
www.tristan-hunt.com
for puzzles, photos, and events.