Reef Rescue: A 'tween Eco-adventure Series

By India Evans

Keeping the environment safe from harm is tough work, but having a technologically eco-friendly car makes it a whole lot easier. Join 13-year old Julie Leeds and her futuristic car Jett as they travel to Key West to uncover why the coral reefs are dying.
From close encounters with sharks, shipwrecks, and buried treasure, to menacing messages and ruthless treasure hunters, Julie's summer is a harrowing thrill ride that leads her to an infamous fort, where she learns of her own family's connection to a long-forgotten secret.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Jun 1, 2009
• ISBN: 9781483551166

Book preview

explorer

The inside of my goggles started to fog up and the bright orange swim cap felt like a vise on my head. Ugh! This was the last thing I needed before diving into the pool!

Take your positions! yelled the starter. The hum from the crowd in the stands quickly subsided.

I glanced to my left and then to my right to see that my teammates were already in the forward position. Oh no … just then my swimming suit needed a slight adjustment.

Focus, Julie, I remembered my coach telling me.

Within seconds the gun sounded and miraculously I dove into the pool. The water enveloped my body like a caterpillar snuggled in a cocoon. I looked forward to this sensation each time I dove in, but today I couldn’t get the right rhythm of my stroke, which I had been practicing all week. After a few breaststrokes, I felt a shortness of breath that I had never experienced before in the water.

Keep going! Even strokes! my coach was yelling as I touched the far side of the pool and flipped underwater.

Suddenly my arms and legs felt like a puppet’s being tugged by a string; I got too close to the rope dividing the lanes. This disoriented me. Before I knew it, and just as my arm hit the dividing rope, a swimmer’s hand hit me in the face, dislodging my goggles, and I went spinning back into my lane. I paused and then started to take a stroke when I heard the whistle blow. I had been disqualified.

As I came out of the pool my coach, Mr. Briggs, came over and asked, Julie, are you okay?

My lower lip started to shake. I pulled the towel around me tighter and looked at him with disappointment. Sorry, I really don’t know what happened. Maybe I need to work on my turns again.

Why don’t you call it a day? We can work on some drills tomorrow during practice. Deal?

Sure, I replied. I looked up in the stands and saw my friend Pete. His messy short brown hair was covered by a beaten-up baseball cap. He had an easy-going personality, but when it came to writing for the school newspaper, he was all business.

He was watching me intently and I gave a little wave. I pointed toward the locker room and slung my bag and wet towel over my shoulder as I made my escape from the pool area.

Inside the locker room, I clicked the combination to my lock and as I retrieved my clothes, my phone beeped. I had a new text message, which read, Contact PJ about a breakthrough. It was from Jett, my wonder car.

Yes, I have a car, even though I’m just thirteen. His name is Jett—short for Justified Environmental Talking Talent. Lucky for me, last year the FastTrack Motor Company held a national contest for kids between the ages of thirteen and fifteen—they wanted to test the concept of having younger teens operate a carbon-neutral, super-safe, driverless car. Obviously the younger the driver, the more cars they could sell, that is, if the government approved. The contest was based on this question: If you had a car that was eco-advanced, what you would do to change the world? For me, the answer was simple; my mission was to uncover and expose environmental villains. FastTrack apparently liked my answer.

Last fall, I received a fat envelope in the mail that announced my prize—Jett. I’ll never forget the moment Jett arrived in a large dirty truck with FastTrack decals on the sides. I was speechless when I first saw the low-slung, two-door sports car painted a dark metallic green that shimmered in the sun. It had a thin frame and tinted windows. The car looked as if it were breathing and even the headlights had the illusion of blinking ever so slightly. The best part was the interior—the dashboard displayed three main gauges for power, computer networking, and diagnostics that could be voice-activated or touch-controlled. It also had a series of buttons to access all of Jett’s extra features, including environmental sensors, weather predictions, and yet-to-be-added new features. The car had solar-powered cells on the roof. A computer screen was mounted where a rearview mirror typically goes and provided visibility all around the car within about a two-mile radius. It could also be used to make video and phone calls. The light tan, cushiony seats were made of a heavy, soy-based material, which formed comfortably to a passenger’s body, while clear seat belts automatically clicked for safety.

That’s when I met PJ Riley. He was the engineer who designed Jett; he was hired by FastTrack to build cars completely from recycled and eco-friendly materials. In addition, he created an A.I. (artificial intelligence) chip so the car could converse with humans and use logic to solve complex problems. The funny part was, PJ had a thick Australian accent and he programmed Jett to sound just like him. Another amazing feature about Jett was that he could track environmental changes, from weather to air pollution to litter on the side of the road. The decision to power Jett via a fuel cell was important because Jett had to have zero emissions impact. I still pinched myself in amazement that he was mine.

Since PJ lived in Australia and because of the time difference, we communicated through text messages on my cell phone or on the screen in the car. That day, before I called him back, I showered and cleared my head first. I was humiliated by my swim meet performance. Swimming doesn’t come naturally to me, and my parents encouraged me to try it as a challenge.

After I changed into my clothes, I sat down on the wooden bench and called him directly. He picked up on the first ring. G’day, mate, his Australian voice rang out.

G’day to you, Mr. PJ, I mimicked. So what is this amazing breakthrough all about? What have you been working on?

Ah, thought that would get your attention! That car of yours will be getting another feature to add to his résumé

And what might that be? Oh, let me guess—I will be able to radio control him from inside my house?!

He laughed so loud that I had to quickly pull the phone away from my ear. Close, but no. Let’s just say he is going to get wet!

He already has a self-cleaning device.

"Trust me, this is ten times better than that. Jett will now have the ability to go underwater—he will be amphibious!"

I paused because I couldn’t believe what I just heard. That is amazing!

I thought about his other features, including the fact that we can change his body style. His entire car frame detaches and can be fitted with many other styles such as a truck or sedan. It takes a skilled car mechanic to perform the service at a specially equipped place called P.O.D.D.—Port Of Detachable Devices. How did you know I needed a new swim coach? I teased, and then asked, But why the new feature?

I got a call from a leading scientist in Key West, Florida, who is researching ways to save the dying reef; the amount of damage has accelerated alarmingly in the last few years and he could use the help.

This sounds serious.

No worries, Julie, I’m sure you and Jett can help him solve the problem. Oh, and before I forget, Jett needs to go into the shop for a couple of weeks to be outfitted for this project. Good luck, and I’ll be in touch. Cheers!

The line went dead. I stared at the phone. I couldn’t believe what he had just sprung on me! Florida? Dying reefs? I was overwhelmed but also pretty excited.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Eleanor, the swim team assistant, step out of the doorway. Julie, hon, you really ought to keep your voice down. Plus, you know phones aren’t allowed in school. Her plump hips swung left to right in her pink sweat suit as if her body needed to make the point as well. Her white hat radiated brightly against her copper skin and dark hair.

I know, but I figured with everyone still at the meet, it wouldn’t be a problem.

She winked at me, as if all was forgotten, You know I won’t tell Mr. Briggs that you are looking for a new swim coach. I know he seems a little young for the job.

I smiled. Oh, that was only a joke. The person I was talking to was giving me some advice.

She nodded slowly and looked down at her running shoes. I saw what happened in your race. Can I give you two words of advice?

My eyes widened, Sure.

When I lived in Jamaica, the ocean was my backyard …

That sounds like paradise, I interrupted.

It was, until the storms came a-knockin’ on our doors. That was when we all were forced to appreciate the power of the water.

I nodded, I bet.

The wrinkles around her eyes smoothed and she wrapped her finger around a strand of her long salt-and-pepper hair. Patience and drive, she said. Those are the two words to remember when you are in the water. Patience so you don’t panic and lose the rhythm of your breathing and the drive to survive when things get rough. You must have both to conquer your fear.

You really think I’m afraid of the water?

Honey, there ain’t nothing more powerful in nature, in my opinion. I just wish more people would appreciate all that it can teach us.

Just then a text message from Pete popped up on my phone. I almost forgot about him! I’m sorry, I have to run—my friend is waiting for me. Thanks for the advice, Eleanor.

She watched me as I gathered my things. Just remember, don’t get discouraged. There is always tomorrow.

I raced out of the pool area and saw Pete standing with his back to me. I gave him a quick tap on the shoulder.

Hi, I’m sorry I made you wait. I was getting some advice from Eleanor, the swim assistant. I told him what Eleanor had said about patience and drive.

Oh, I thought something happened to you since you were taking so long. I wasn’t sure how upset you were about the race.

More embarrassed than anything.

Okay, but I know how hard you can be on yourself.

I shrugged and then stopped in my tracks. Oh, before I forget to tell you, Jett is also going to be a swimmer.

What? Pete’s green eyes narrowed.

PJ has figured out a way to make him amphibious. Can you believe it?

I’m not surprised, but why do you need him to go underwater?

The coral reefs off of Key West are dying and a scientist asked PJ if he could help—which really means, can Jett and I help. The pitch of my voice got higher as I recalled our conversation.

Pete was staring at me. Key West, where is that?

Oh, it’s part of a chain of islands that form the southern tip of Florida. Key West is the farthest one. We had now walked to the edge of the pool building painted yellow and sea-foam green to match our school colors and I could see Jett parked in the lot. Hey, do you need a ride home?

Yes, but not home, just back to the main campus building. I need to finish an article for the school paper.

Okay, school it is.

It was almost six o’clock, and the air outside had cooled, shrugging off the warmth of the spring day.

Jett was in sleep mode as we walked up to his shiny doors. Open, I whispered. PJ programmed Jett to open and drive by voice recognition. Jett was technically always on. His sensors, which mainly used radio waves bouncing off objects, gave him the ability to identify objects by size, shape, mass, and distance. These were used to activate the driverless feature. Due to his A.I. chip, he could access computer networks, communicate with people, and process data on his own without any type of command.

His low sports car profile and shiny wheels glimmered at dusk. In an instant, the doors unlocked. As we got in, he greeted us in his dry Australian way, Why, look if it isn’t the Olympic swimmer and her sidekick.

Pete chuckled and settled into the passenger seat. "I thought you were her sidekick, Jett."

Well, if it isn’t my battler.

Turning bright red, Pete asked, What does that mean?

In Australia, it means you’re the little man, struggling to survive and be top dog.

I eased back in the driver’s seat and interjected, Jett, be nice to Pete. He’s our friend, remember.

Okay, okay, as long as I stay top dog.

I giggled and said, If that’s what you want, Pete can hold the leash.

The engine was completely quiet when it started. This time Jett was in control. I could drive, but sometimes it was nice to have him take over. All I needed to do was tell him the address or type in a location on the front computer screen.

I noticed new springtime leaves on the trees as we drove down the road.

You are both too quiet, and I know what that means, Jett said.

Do you want me to tell him, Jules? Pete asked.

I looked at Pete, scrunched my nose, and smiled, curious about what he would say.

Julie was disqualified in her first swim meet.

Oh, that is too bad, but I don’t think that is what’s really bothering you, is it?

There was a brief, breath-holding silence. Finally, I blurted out, You are going to be fixed and we have to go to Florida.

Pete gave me a funny look.

Jett immediately said, I knew you wouldn’t take this lightly.

You knew?! I asked. If you know, do my parents?

Of course, PJ has already gotten permission from your parents and it sounds like you’ve forgotten that you have family down there. Your mother’s sister, Katy, owns a bed and breakfast in Key West.

Wow, you are right! I did forget about Aunt Katy. She is so fun! I squealed.

I turned to see Pete’s expression. His face was blank and he was staring straight ahead, his eyebrows wrinkled in confusion.

Pete, don’t worry. I’m sure we can work something out so you can visit.

He rolled his eyes and said, You know what I do every summer. I work at the bakery and do chores for my mom. She would never let me go.

You never know. Maybe it’ll become an assignment for the paper! I offered.

The paper doesn’t get published in the summer, only during the school year, he replied, obviously disappointed.

We came to the school parking lot.

Jules, I’ll see you tomorrow at school. Thanks for the ride, Jett.

He gathered up his books and gently shut the car door. He turned to give a nod and went inside. Jett and I started driving home.

Jett, how bad is the coral reef damage? Do you know?

Let’s just say it needs attention. But we’ll make it right, don’t worry about a thing.

The reggae sound of the famous Bob Marley burst from the speakers. Don’t worry about a thing … ’cause everything, everything’s gonna be all right, sang Marley.

The tree-lined street leading to Atlas Junior High School was littered with confetti, colorful streamers, and empty plastic cups. Jett’s internal environmental sensor was flashing.

What is with all the litter around? Jett asked.

This weekend the ninth-graders had a big rally called The Last Hoorah. It happens the last weekend before graduation, I replied.

Aren’t you a ninth-grader?

Yes, but I was busy this weekend, don’t you remember?

You weren’t that busy, not enough to miss a party, Jett commented.

"That would be Gisele’s