Book 1

Dive into an OceanX Adventure! Junior journalist Marena Montoya and her BFF Aisha use critical thinking, curiosity, and serious science to get to the bottom of strange goings-on at the aquarium and beyond!

I felt the goose bumps rise on my arms. Could I really be seeing this? I didn’t know whether to run and hide…or stay to say hello.

What’s causing a mysterious power outage at the local aquarium? Best friends and curious 5th-grade conservationists Marena and Aisha have an exciting theory. Following the advice of their OceanX mentor, they search for real scientific evidence, and embark on a fact-finding mission that leads to some spooky sleuthing. Are they on the verge of an out-of-this world discovery? Or did their imaginations go entirely too far?

This page-turning adventure combines the scientific discoveries of the world-renowned OceanX project with an intrepid new heroine who learns the power of speaking up, asking questions, and learning from mistakes.

MEET THE OCEAN EXPLORERS: 5th-grade junior journalist Marena, her BFF Aisha, and Marena’s teenage brother Lucas use critical thinking and sound science to solve mysteries at the aquarium and beyond.

MENTORED BY OCEANX: Marena and Aisha are mentored by Dr. Anna Knowles, whose character is inspired by the real-life scientists of the world-renowned OceanX project.

REAL SCIENCE: Each mystery is based on actual oceanic science research and discoveries, and is filled with fascinating facts about the ocean world.

MIDDLE-GRADE MILESTONES: Once proud of her curiosity and endless questions, 11-year-old Marena is starting to feel self-conscious about calling attention to herself. With the encouragement of her teacher and mentor, she learns to embrace the qualities that make her special.

COLLECT THE SERIES: Deep Sea Danger also available!

Book 3

Daring Dolphin Rescue

by Kate B Jerome

Published 16 November 2023
Page-turning, fact-based fiction for independent readers, inspired by real-life OceanX explorers and discoveries

Marena Montoya is learning how marine mammals talk to each other. But her bigger challenge is learning how to communicate with her new study partner, Samuel, as sea mammal rescues-and their own lives-will depend on it.

A baby sea otter and a dolphin need Marena and Samuel's help, but when the team investigates strange sounds under the ocean, they become the ones in need of rescue. Trapped and in trouble, can Marena and Samuel escape on their own? Or will they need a little help from a sea mammal friend?

Book 4


Deep Sea Danger

by Kate B Jerome

Published 16 August 2023
Dive into an OceanX Adventure! Marena Montoya and her BFF Aisha go on a brand-new ocean adventure using their scientific skills to solve another mysterious puzzle.

Lucas' voice broke the silence. "Remember the lessons you learned on the OceanXplorer. Colin said always prepare for the unexpected..."

I finished the sentence for him. "...and when it happens, don't panic. Just think your way through it."

Science reporter and budding junior detective Marena Montoya comes to the rescue in the next adventure in the OceanX series.

Marena has discovered an important clue about a treasure-laden Spanish galleon lost at sea centuries ago, but has no idea how she could search for the ship until a wild series of events lands her, and her older brother Lucas, straight into the hunt.

Using her newfound skills from her time aboard the OceanXplorer, Marena bravely navigates the perils of deep-sea exploration, and learns the most important lesson of all—that there is more than one type of treasure. 

This page-turning adventure combines the scientific discoveries of the world-renowned OceanX project with an intrepid new heroine who learns the power of speaking up, asking questions, and learning from mistakes.

MEET THE OCEAN EXPLORERS: 5th-grade junior journalist Marena, her BFF Aisha, and Marena’s teenage brother Lucas use critical thinking and sound science to solve exciting ocean mysteries.

MENTORED BY OCEANX: Marena and Aisha are mentored by Dr. Anna Knowles, whose character is inspired by the real-life scientists of the world-renowned OceanX project.

REAL SCIENCE: Each mystery is based on actual oceanic scientific research and discoveries, filled with facts about the ocean world.

MIDDLE-GRADE MILESTONES: Once proud of her curiosity and endless questions, 11-year-old Marena is starting to feel self-conscious about calling attention to herself. With the encouragement of her teacher and mentor, she learns to embrace the qualities that make her special.

COLLECT THE SERIES: Mystery at the Aquarium, Underwater Secret Agent, and Galapagos Island Hitch also available!

Dive into an OceanX Adventure! Fifth grader Marena Montoya is learning how marine mammals talk to each other. But her bigger challenge is learning how to communicate with her new study partner, Samuel, as sea mammal rescues—and their own lives—will depend on it.

When Marena Montoya and her new study partner, Samuel, embark on a shared mission, they get off to a shaky start. They need to research how whales and dolphins communicate, but they barely know how to talk to each other. Luckily, Marena’s OceanX mentor, Dr. Anna Knowles, is a marine mammal expert and an excellent coach.

A baby otter and a dolphin need Marena and Samuel’s help, but when the team investigates an underwater noise issue, they become the ones in need of rescue. Trapped and in trouble, can Marena and Samuel escape on their own? Or will they need a little help from a sea mammal friend?

MEET THE OCEAN EXPLORERS: Curiosity and perseverance get fifth-grade junior science journalist Marena and her study partner, Samuel, in and out of exciting (and dangerous!) situations as they use critical thinking and sound science to solve an underwater mystery.

MENTORED BY OCEANX: Marena is mentored by Dr. Anna Knowles, whose character is inspired by the real-life scientists of the world-renowned OceanX project.

REAL SCIENCE: Each mystery is based on actual oceanic science research and discoveries and is filled with fascinating facts about the ocean world.

MIDDLE-GRADE MILESTONES: Eleven-year-old Marena and her study partner Samuel need to work together—whether they like it or not. Slowly, and with the encouragement of Marena’s OceanX mentor, the pair learn about the importance of communication—and trust.

COLLECT THE SERIES: Mystery at the Aquarium and Danger in the Deep Sea also available!