No one is more surprised by Thema Turner's new interest in a video game than the bookworm herself. The battle game Shrinking Island Showdown reminds Thema of one of her favorite book trilogies, and the novels' plots inspire how she plays the game. Her first tries are rough, and she struggles to last long in 100-player rounds, but she's determined to get better. With her younger twin brothers' help, she improves enough to compete in an esports SIS competition. Does Thema have what it takes to advance to the regional round? Who is Jake Maddox? Athlete, author, world-traveler - or all three? He has surfed in Hawaii, scuba-dived in Australia, and climbed the mountains of Peru and Alaska. His books range from the most popular team sports to outdoor activities to survival adventures and even to auto racing. His exploits have inspired numerous writers to walk in his footsteps - literally! Each of his stories is stamped with teamwork, fair play, and a strong sense of self-worth and discipline. Always a team-player, Maddox realizes it takes more than one man (or woman) to create a book good enough for a young reader. He hopes the lessons learned on the court, field, or arena and the champion sprinter pace of his books can motivate kids to become better athletes and lifelong readers. Alan Brown, is a freelance illustrator who has created artwork for Disney, Warner Bros. and the BBC, while continuing to provide illustrations for children's books and comics. Alan has worked mainly on children's books for kids who find it hard to engage and be enthusiastic about reading. These clients include Harper Collins, Capstone, Ransom, Franklin Watts and Ben 10 Omniverse.