Bridge to Sharktooth Island: A Challenge Island STEAM Adventure Receives Stellar Review from School Library Journal

School Library Journal Review of The Bridge to Sharktooth Island: A Challenge Island STEAM Adventure

ESTROFF, Sharon Duke & Joel Ross. The Bridge to Sharktooth Island: A Challenge Island STEAM Adventure. illus. by Monica de Rivas. 128p. (Challenge Island: Bk. 1). West Margin. Nov. 2021. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9781513218618; pap. $6.99. ISBN 9781513289533.

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

Other News Items

Announcements
Event
Fun & Games
Press

Make Sharktooth Island Shark Bait Sushi Snacks to Celebrate Our Bestselling Book Series and Shark Camp!

WHAT YOU NEED: WHAT YOU DO:  Unwrap the crispy rice treats. (If they are not mini-sized, cut them into bite-sized pieces.) Top each crispy treat with a gummy fish. Cut the fruit roll into strips and wrap the strips around the shark bait sushi. Grab some chopsticks and take a chomp!

Announcements
Magazines
Press

Challenge Island is Included on Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500 for the 6th Year in a Row!

Challenge Island Entrepreneur Magazine’s 2023 Franchise 500 for the 6th year straight!

Announcements
Fun & Games

Brush Up Math Facts for Back to School with Beach Ball Math!

It’s no secret that school skills slip significantly over the summer. A recent large-scale study by the NWEA showed that students in 3rd to 5th grades lost an average of 27 percent of their school-year gains in math during summer break! Beat summer brain drain and ensure your child stays on the ball this year […]

Announcements
Magazines
Press

Challenge Island Featured in IFA Oscar Ad During the 2023 Academy Awards!

Challenge Island Entrepreneur Magazine’s 2023 Franchise 500 for the 6th year straight!

Announcements
Magazines
Press

Challenge Island is Included on Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500 for the 6th Year in a Row!

Challenge Island Entrepreneur Magazine’s 2023 Franchise 500 for the 6th year straight!

Top Global Franchises 2022
Announcements
Press

Challenge Island Ranks #188 on Entrepreneur Magazine’s Top Global Franchises List

All the world’s children need and deserve to experience the magic and benefits of Challenge Island! It is our honor to be ranked once again on Entrepreneur’s Top Global Franchises List as we continue our mission to bring Challenge Island to every child.

Announcements
Event
Fun & Games
Press

Roll into the New School Year with Challenge Island Onsite Field Trips!

Back to school and ready for exciting adventures! 🚌🚀 Our award-winning Challenge Island onsite school field trips are back in action! 🎉 Choose from over 100 STEAMtastic standard-aligned themes like our Monster Trucks Arena Forces and Motion field trip, our STEAMwarts Academy States of Matter field trip and our Mechanical Engineer Orange Grove Engineering and […]