Books with author Collier Collier

Grant Collier first photographed the rock formations at Arches National Park 25 years ago. Since then, he has returned countless times, taking thousands of images of this extraordinary landscape. He has explored every section of the park, including all of the iconic locations and many lesser-known spots. In this guidebook, Grant shares the vast knowledge he has gained of Arches National Park. He provides tips on shooting 35 different locations during both the day and night. He explains the best times of the year to photograph wildflowers, fall colors, thunderstorms, the Milky Way, meteors, and more. Whether you use a cell phone camera or are a seasoned professional, this book will help get you to the right locations at the right times.

When tragedy strikes, seventeen year old Ashton Blake sets out on a cross-country road trip, leaving the comforts of Malibu for the mountains of Kentucky. Along the way, she encounters Gabe Willoughby, the mysterious drifter with eyes like the sea and a knowing smile. Getting to know Gabe raises questions about her past. But no secret can be buried forever, and Ashton soon finds herself in a world where water is air and myth becomes reality.Just as Ashton comes to accept her newfound heritage, she's summoned to fulfill a treaty laid down centuries before, a treaty that will divide her love and test her loyalty. In the end, her future isn't her biggest concern, her humanity is. To run may mean war, but is she strong enough to stay?

What turns an ordinary person into a hero? What happens in the blink of an eye on a battlefield (or in any dangerous situation) to bring out true courage? The men and women who have been recognized by the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation know the answers to these questions deep in their hearts. We learn of Jack Lucas, a thirteen-year-old who kept his real age a secret so he could fight in World War II—where he deliberately fell on a grenade to save his buddies during the Iwo Jima invasion—and Clint Romesha, who almost single-handedly prevented a remote U.S. Army outpost in Afghanistan from being taken over by the Taliban. Also included are civilians who have been honored by the Foundation for outstanding acts of bravery in crisis situations: for example, Jencie Fagan, a gym teacher who put herself in danger to disarm a troubled eighth grader before he could turn a gun on his classmates. Adding depth and context are illuminating sidebars throughout and essays on the combat experience and its aftermath: topics such as overcoming fear; a mother mourning her son; and “surviving hell” as a prisoner of war. Back matter includes a glossary and an index.

The Troubling Past:One girl’s choice shouldn’t have the power to change fate, but for Ashton Blake, that’s exactly what it meant when she fled the Dryads. Trading one gilded cage for another is a far cry from freedom however, and Ashton knows escaping The Valley won’t absolve the treaty or her duty to fulfill it.The Disturbing Present:Reunited with her own kind, Ashton begins to uncover too many long-buried secrets—secrets that not only challenge what she knows of her family’s history but the reality behind those who hid it from her. Trying to resurrect the past, however, only complicates Ashton and company’s attempts to salvage the future.The Unsettling Future:As the truth is revealed, the myth of a possible alternative to the treaty is uncovered, but alongside this discovery comes a newfound ability with grave consequences. Now haunted by visions of an inescapable fate, Ashton realizes her future isn’t the only one at stake. But when an entire race hangs in the balance, there’s an impossibly fine line between salvation and surrender.

Collier, a young Englishman, who first came to Canada in 1919, married a quarter-breed Indian girl, then took off into the primitive wilderness of British Columbia where he had been granted sole trapping rights to 150,000 acres. There they almost single-handedly brought the barren wilderness, ravaged by fires, back to life and in the process created a truly remarkable family relationship. This achievement was recognized by the British Columbia Game Dept. as a prime example of what a few individuals can do to bring back the natural wealth of an area. There is a story of their desperate attempt to get a winter's supply of grease by throwing a torch into a bear's cave. Another dramatic account is of a 4 year fight against a vicious wolf. Lillian, his wife, was almost killed by a moose. One exciting chapter tells of the heroism of Lillian to rescue her ill son by dashing across the icebound lake at night, which Eric lay desperately sick with the flu. A wonderful, exciting true story.

It's time for the annual Race-a-thon, and Steve the horse is excited! He knows he'll win. He wins every year! And no wonder, Steve's body is built for running. He's got a big chest for deep breaths, powerful hindquarters to propel him forward and the longest legs in the forest. But when he goes to sign up, Steve finds out the rules have changed, and his confidence starts to waver. Because this year, the Race-a-thon is going to be a relay race, which means all runners must compete in teams. And Steve's on a team with the slowest runners in the forest: Turtle, Duck and Snail! Is it possible that Steve could lose the Race-a-thon for the first time ever? This delightful picture book story from Kelly Collier about the lovable --- if sometimes self-absorbed --- horse named Steve is laugh-out-loud funny. Every page features humorous and cleverly designed interplay between the illustrations and commentary, as well a few definitions (such as powerful hindquarters: ?That means strong bum muscles?) that provide vocabulary enrichment. The humor and the edge-of-the-seat description of the race make this a fantastic read-aloud pick. It also works as a great discussion starter on the topic of sportsmanship and on the character education skill of teamwork.

Carrie has been a kitchen slave in Sam Fraunces's tavern in New York City for as long as she can remember. But after she narrowly escapes a kidnapper, Carrie becomes more curious about her mysterious past. After all, she doesn't even know her own last name.When her friend Dan Arabus comes to town, he talks about his dream of buying his mother's freedom with the Continental notes his father left him. Deciding to help Dan discover how much the notes are worth, Carrie finds herself eavesdropping on Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, and President Washington himself. What's more, Carrie also stumbles upon the startling truth about her own family.