Hopping Ahead of Climate Change: Snowshoe Hares, Science, and Survival by Sneed B. Collard III

Deep in the woods of Montana, biologist Scott Mills notices a big problem with a small animal. The snowshoe hares he has studied for most of his career are not changing their coat colors fast enough to protect themselves from predators. With season lengths fluctuating due to climate change, many snowshoe hares are getting killed off quicker because they haven’t molted fast enough to match their environment. Without any outside aid, snowshoe hares could become a threatened species. To learn more, Mills is studying coat-changing animals in a variety of climates. In Washington state, for instance, not all snowshoe hares molt to white each year. This genetic variation could help shield the population from climate change’s effects. Mills and his research team believe the Montana snowshoe hares could evolve a similar genetic characteristic through natural selection. Even though there is a chance these hares may change their genes to survive, this doesn’t mean humans should foster the climate change problem that caused these hares and other animals to be threatened.

Climate change can be a very touchy topic. But Collard’s book addresses the issue from the forest-floor perspective of Montana’s snowshoe hares; a species that no one can argue is being affected by climate change. Readers learn how climate change has disrupted the lives of these small creatures and how their declining numbers could drastically threaten their ecosystem. Thanks to Collard’s work with Mills and other researchers, readers are given bite-sized amounts of information to showcase the effects of climate change in easy-to-read maps, graphs, and topic definitions. Collard takes his story a step further than other climate change authors by expressing a hopeful future for both the hares and humans involved. The hares’ hope may be in natural selection, but the hope for humans comes through Collard’s doable and well-defined suggestions to decrease the population’s climate change footprint. A well-written and thoughtful book any library should have on hand for inspiring readers to make a difference in their world.

Snakes, Alligators, and Broken Hearts: Journeys of a Biologist's Son by Sneed B. Collard III

Sneed B. Collard III was born to biologist, Sneed B. Jr. and Patricia Collard. Naturally, Sneed was raised to love animals and be curious about his world. Unfortunately, his parents divorced when Sneed was in third grade. Sneed had a difficult time coping, especially when both parents married new spouses and moved to opposite coasts. For most of his childhood and into adolescence, Sneed’s life was split between living with his mother during the school year and visiting his father during the summer.

Collard’s autobiography is touching, witty, and honest. Even though biology is a unique part of his life, Collard’s main tale is blatantly familiar to readers who have endured or are enduring a divorce. Collard realistically narrates a child’s mind in feeling lost as his divorced parents move on to create new families. Collard struggles to find his place because he is a product of that dissolved marriage. Yet Collard credits a minimally rebellious life to sensitive teachers, adults, and friends who helped him handle his unpleasant situation. Aside from dealing with divorce, Collard also details his childhood reactions to political events, national tragedies, and societal changes. On the humorous side, Collard describes his awkward interactions with girls, accidents with animals, and fantastic adventures in Boy Scouts. Snakes, Alligators, and Broken Hearts is a thoughtful memoir written with love and keen reflection. Appropriate for ages 12 and up.        

2015 Children's Literature Festival: Sneed B. Collard III's books

There were three authors/illustrators I saw at the 2015 Children's Literature Festival that we were unable to attend their presentations: Sneed B. Collard III, Brad Sneed, and Marie Smith. I have known these three amazing creators for many years. In the next three posts I will list the books they have published. Check them out!

First up is Sneed B. Collard III. He was the first author I showcased on my blog. Sneed has written a wide array of literature from non-fiction picture books to mystery YA novels. Enjoy Sneed's books!

NON-FICTION:
Fire Birds: Valuing Natural Wildfires and Burned Forests (2015)
Technology Forces : Drones and War Machines (2013)
The CIA and FBI: Top Secret (2013)
U.S. Air Force: Absolute Air Power (2013)
Listen to Patriotic Music (2013)
Look at Cubism (2013) 
Sneed B. Collard III's Most Fun Book Ever About Lizards (2012)
Global Warming--A Personal Guide to Causes and Solutions (2011)
The World Famous Miles City Bucking Horse Sale (2010)
Many Biomes, One Earth (2009)
George Washington: Our First President (2010)
Cesar Chavez : the Farm Workers' Best Friend (2010) 
Phillis Wheatley: She Loved Words (2010)
Lady Bird Johnson: Keeping America Green (2010)
Jacob Lawrence: A Painter's Story (2009)
Sitting Bull: "Tatanka-Iyotake" (2009)
John Glenn: Hooked on Flying (2009)
Eleanor Roosevelt: Making the World a Better Place (2009)
Thomas Jefferson: Let Freedom Ring! (2009)
Teeth (2008)
Wings (2008)
Science Warriors: The Battle Against Invasive Species (2008)
Reign of the Sea Dragons (2008)
Pocket Babies and Other Amazing Marsupials (2007)
Abraham Lincoln: A Courageous Leader (2007)
Rosa Park: The Courage to Make a Difference (2007)
Sacagawea: Brave Shoshone Girl (2007)
Benjamin Franklin: A Man Who Could Do Just About Anything (2007)
John Adams: Our Second President (2007)
David Crockett: Fearless Frontiersman (2007)
In the Deep Sea (2006)
Shep: Our Most Loyal Dog (2006)
In the Rainforest Canopy (2006)
In the Wild (2006)
On Coral Reefs (2006)
The Prairie Builders: Rebuilding America's Lost Grasslands (2005)
One Night in the Coral Sea (2005)
A Platypus, Probably (2005)
Animals Asleep (2004)
Deep-Sea Floor (2003)
B is for Big Sky Country: A Montana Alphabet (2003)
Beaks! (2002)
Leaving Home (2002)
Firefly Biologist at Work (2001)
Making Animal Babies (2000)
Whale Biologist At Work (2000)
Lizard Island: Science and Scientists of Australia's Great Barrier Reef (2000)
The Forest in the Clouds (2000)
Acting For Nature: What Young People Around the World Have Done to Protect the Environment (2000)
Amazing Animals: Nature's Most Incredible Creatures (2000)
Animal Dazzlers: The Role of Brilliant Colors In Nature (1998)
Birds of Prey: A Look at Daytime Raptors (1999)
1,000 Years Ago on Planet Earth (1999)
Our Wet World: Exploring Earth's Aquatic Ecosystem (1998)
Montverde: Science and Scientists in a Costa Rican Cloud Forest (1997)
Animal Dads (1997)
Sea Snakes (1997)
Creepy Creatures (1997)
Alien Invaders: The Continuing Threat of Exotic Species (1996)
Our Natural Homes: Exploring Terrestrial Biomes of North and South America (1996)
Smart Survivors: Twelve of the Earth's Most Remarkable Living Things (1994)
Tough Terminators: Twelve of the Earth's Most Fascinating Predators (1994)Green Giants (1994)

FICTION:
Dog 4491: A Mystery (2013)
Cartwheel: A Sequel to Double Eagle (2013)
The Governor's Dog is Missing: Slate Stephens Mysteries #1 (2011)
Hangman's Gold: Slate Stephens Mysteries #2 (2011)
Double Eagle (2009)
Flashpoint (2006)
Dog Sense (2005)

Fire Birds by Sneed B. Collard III

For years Smokey the Bear warned people about the problems associated with forest fires. But what if Smokey’s message was not quite correct? Collard researches the truth by interviewing scientists on how fires in wild areas are actually healthy happenings. Burned forests are the only home for many bird species, like the Black-backed Woodpecker. When natural forest fires are suppressed or burned areas are unwisely logged, these birds lose their homes, food, and protection. But birds are not the only species benefiting from a burned forest: certain shrubs only sprout after a fire, the fire’s ash fertilizes the ground, and smaller trees gain more sunshine when dead trees are burned away. Today, these positive findings are finally gaining national attention.

Fire Birds is an insightful resource to spread the word about healthy forest fires. Collard defines the two fire types: one that can threaten people—which must be suppressed, and the other in wild forests that need fire to progress. Collard’s beautifully detailed photographs promote his message and highlight the birds and plants benefitting from a burned forest. The chapters are short, easy to understand, and wonderfully narrative. The book has a glossary in the back to help young readers with unfamiliar terms related to this subject. Collard also challenges readers to visit burned forests to see all the animals and plants living in their new environment. A great non-fiction read for ages 8 and up.

Cartwheel: A Sequel to Double Eagle by Sneed B. Collard III

In the summer of 1975, two years after their Confederacy gold discovery, Mike and Kyle reunite to rescue Annie, Kyle’s sister, from her abusive uncle. The three runaway teens head to Denver to not only avoid the police but to pursue clues for a rare coin--the 1964 Peace Dollar. As the clues unfold about the coin, Annie reveals that she was never abused by her uncle. She only made up the story to get Kyle to take her away so they could be together again. When their uncle shows up in Denver, Mike frantically puts the clues together to find the missing silver dollar.

In this story, Collard takes readers along the back roads of the United States, visiting such places as Oneonta, Alabama; Warrensburg, Missouri; and Dodge City, Kansas. During this road-trip, Mike makes two important realizations about his life: first, his family situation is not ideal, but it is better than what Kyle and Annie face; second, his step-father and Annie's uncle are both bullies. Mike saw that bullies only go against someone emotionally weaker than themselves. When Mike realizes he is emotionally stronger than Annie's uncle, he confidently faces her uncle's threats head-on and leaves the victor. Fans of Double Eagle will enjoy this diverting sequel as they travel cross-country with Mike, Kyle, and Annie in a 1957 Bel Air.

Double Eagle by Sneed B. Collard III

Mike is dreading the summer with his marine biologist dad in Florida. But plans change when Mike’s dad decides to teach a summer course on an island off Alabama’s coast. Soon after his arrival, Mike makes friends with Kyle, a charismatic southern boy who is familiar with the island. While hanging out at an old Civil War fort, Mike happens upon a gold Confederate coin. When the boys look for more coins, they can’t. They find help in a local man whose ancestry goes back to the time the coins arrived at the fort.

Collard creates an unpredictable story by expertly weaving together Civil War history, rare coins, a disastrous hurricane, and an unlikely friendship. In many young adult stories involving the discovery of a missing artifact, it usually seems far-fetched that the teen characters are the only ones who find the lost item, even after experts have tried and failed. But in Double Eagle, Collard sets up a realistic premise where it’s plausible that Mike and Kyle are the only ones who find the Confederate gold. They had a crucial piece of Civil War history that other experts didn’t have. If readers enjoyed the friendship of Mike and Kyle and their search for rare coins, readers will be happy to know that Collard published a sequel called Cartwheel.

Dog 4491 by Sneed B. Collard III

Sam and his grandfather find a stray dog, Sophie, with a collar dating back to the 1920s. Sophie’s background leads them to an abandoned Victorian house on the wrong side of the dangerous Expressway. They discover that the house is in the middle of a debate to expand the Expressway and tear down the historic neighborhood. While Sam is exploring the house, he and Sophie are transported back in time to Sophie’s original owner in 1926—an 11-year-old boy named Rollie. The two boys become instant friends and together they expose the corrupt Cheesebro brothers who are bribing city officials to push the Expressway expansion.

Collard creates a fun and fast-paced time-travel tale with a strong friendship foundation. Readers will enjoy seeing how two boys from different eras become friends. At first, Sam and Rollie show the other the best of their time period—graphic novels, coin collecting, and great ice cream. When their friendship is solidified, the two boys find common ground in saving the future of their city. Besides the themes of friendship and time-travel, Collard also outlines the cons with over-expansion and the pros with restoring cities back to their original condition. Collard showcases the idea that things really were better in “the good old days” and that people can learn from the past to improve their future. A great read for boys of any age.

Introducing Sneed B. Collard III

I met Sneed B. Collard III at the 2008 Allen County Young Authors program in Iola, Kansas. Sneed has written a variety of books ranging from non-fiction picture books to fictional young adult novels. Here are more insights into Sneed's life from his biography:

"Before beginning his writing career, Sneed graduated with honors in marine biology from the University of California at Berkeley. Afterward, he worked as a field biologist before earning a master’s degree in scientific instrumentation from U.C. Santa Barbara. While honing his writing skills, he spent several years working as a computer consultant for biologists at U.C.S.B. This experience gave him a wealth of writing ideas...

"In the past decade, Sneed has focused more attention on fiction. His popular novels include Dog Sense, Flash Point (winner of the Green Earth Book Award), Double Eagle, Cartwheel—A Sequel to Double Eagle, and the Slate Stephens Mysteries titles, The Governor’s Dog is Missing and Hangman’s Gold. His newest book, the tween time-travel mystery Dog 4491, was a finalist for the Green Earth Book Award and is currently on the Keystone to Reading Middle School Book Award List for 2014-15."

In August, 2010, Sneed started his own publishing house, Bucking Horse Books, in Missoula, Montana. Several of the books I have reviewed have been published from this press.

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I recently interviewed Sneed about his life as a writer:

1. What inspired you to write?

Several things conspired to make me want to write. I grew up an avid reader, so books ran through my bloodstream from an early age. During my first overseas trip--to Asia as a fifteen-year-old--I also began keeping a journal, something that would become a lifelong habit. From early childhood, I also always cared deeply about the environment, and thought that perhaps through my writing I could inspire people to take better care of the planet. Last, I just have a compulsion to tell stories! All of these factors really didn't give me any choice but to become a writer!

2. Why did you start your own publishing business?

When the recession hit, publishing pretty much ground to a halt. Even after the recovery began, however, major publishers largely switched to wanting to publish only "sure-fire bestsellers". That left a lot of great books with no place to go. Starting my own company allowed my work to keep coming out, but also in the modern publishing environment, provide a place for regional or "quieter" books that readers enjoy.

3. What books have inspired you and your writing?

Oh, so many it's hard to even begin. In fact, it's easier to name inspiring authors than individual titles. Among my most inspirational adult authors are Mark Twain, John Steinbeck, Graham Greene, Raymond Chandler, Jon Krakauer, and Richard Bradford. For children's writers, gotta include Lois Lowry, Richard Peck, Laurence Pringle, Louis Sachar, Gary Schmidt, Roland Smith, Larry Dane Brimner, and Susan Campbell Bartoletti.

4. Any advice about writing or finding good books to read?

As far as finding good books to read, I rely heavily on my friends and on employees of local independent bookstores to make recommendations. As far as writing advice, the main thing is to just write and write and write some more. I've heard--and I believe this--it takes about ten years of sustained effort to start to understand what you're doing as a writer. I was fortunate in that I got much of this accomplished as a young person writing in journals and writing hundreds of letters back and forth to my father and to friends. You can't "get there" without putting in the work, however. One more hint is to write the kinds of books you love to read. If you love nonfiction, that's what you should be writing. Ditto for fantasy or mysteries, etc...
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Sneed will soon be publishing a non-fiction book called Fire Birds.

Hangman's Gold by Sneed B. Collard III

While out on a geological assignment with their fathers, Slate and Daphne explore the Wild West ghost town of Bannack, Montana. During their exploration, the two friends find a list of riddles leading to an unclaimed vigilantes’ treasure. As they figure out the riddles, a second mystery diverts them. In a nearby town, several priceless paintings have been stolen and the clues are leading back to Bannack. Slate and Daphne work together to find the missing paintings, but they are kidnapped by the art thief and his boss.

The second book in the Slate Stephens mysteries does not disappoint. Hangman’s Gold flawlessly transitions from the first book to showcase how finding the governor’s dog has affected the lives of Slate, Daphne, and their families. Like the first book, Collard creates an engrossing story that weaves together historical facts, geological know-how, preteen wit, and budding romance into a colorful whodunit. Again, Collard sets the stage in Montana, this time using the real ghost town of Bannack and its history as the heart of the story. A fun read, and an enjoyable read-aloud, for boys and girls, ages 10 and up. Collard plans to continue writing more Slate Stephens mysteries in the near future.

The Governor's Dog Is Missing! by Sneed B. Collard III

When Slate and his friend, Daphne, find out that the governor’s Border collie, Cat, has gone missing, the two friends decide to take on the case. Their investigation begins at the Capital building in Helena, Montana, as they question the governor, his staff, and a suspicious Minority Leader. Then the clues to Cat’s whereabouts take them through several of Helena’s historical sites. However, several false leads, arguments, a stray dog, and an awkward kiss threaten to derail the case and their friendship.

Collard has created an engaging, clean mystery series that both entertains and educates readers. Inside the page-turning whodunit, Collard has woven in important facts about Montana like what are Helena’s sites, how does Montana’s government work, and what rock formations are found in Glacier National Park, to name a few. Along with the amazing backdrop of Montana, Slate and Daphne are fun and true-to-life characters that successfully carry the whole story to the end. Slate’s narrative is witty, insightful, impulsive, and realistic, especially with his twelve-year-old beginning crush on Daphne. A great read for both boys and girls ages 10 and up. The next book in the Slate Stephens series is Hangman’s Gold.