Roland Smith

Roland Smith is an American author known for writing young adult fiction and children's nonfiction, particularly focusing on wildlife and adventure themes. His work draws heavily from his 20-year career as a zookeeper at the Oregon Zoo and Point Defiance Zoo. Smith's writing career began in 1990 with "Sea Otter Rescue," a nonfiction work inspired by his experiences helping wildlife after the Exxon Valdez oil spill. His nonfiction work "Journey of the Red Wolf" earned him an Oregon Book Award in 1996, establishing his reputation in nature-focused literature. The author's fiction portfolio includes popular series and standalone novels, with recurring character Jacob Lansa appearing in multiple works including "Thunder Cave," "Jaguar," and "The Last Lobo." Smith's adventure series "Cryptid Hunters" spawned several sequels, including "Tentacles" and "Chupacabra," demonstrating his ability to blend wildlife themes with action-driven narratives.

Readers consistently highlight Smith's ability to create fast-paced adventure stories that incorporate accurate wildlife and science details. Parents and teachers note his books engage reluctant readers, particularly boys aged 10-14. Liked: - Detailed research and authentic wildlife information - Quick plot progression that hooks young readers - Educational value while remaining entertaining - Strong male protagonists that appeal to middle-grade boys - Clear, accessible writing style Disliked: - Some readers find character development lacking - Later series entries seen as formulaic - Adult readers note predictable plot structures - Occasional criticism of simplified dialogue Ratings across platforms: - Goodreads: Most books average 4.0-4.3/5 stars - Amazon: Typically 4.5/5 stars - Peak series "Cryptid Hunters" receives highest ratings (4.6/5) - "Thunder Cave" and "Zach's Lie" maintain 4.3/5 across platforms One teacher reviewer noted: "Smith's books consistently turn non-readers into readers. The mix of action and animal facts keeps students engaged."

Cryptid Hunters - Twins Grace and Marty are sent to live with their uncle, a cryptozoologist searching for mysterious creatures on a remote island.

Elephant Run - During World War II, a teenage boy is sent to his father's teak plantation in Burma, where he faces the Japanese invasion and befriends an elephant.

I, Q - A teenage musician and his new stepsister become entangled in international espionage while touring with their parents' band.

Jaguar - Jacob Lansa travels to Brazil's Amazon rainforest to find his missing father and encounters dangerous poachers threatening jaguar populations.

Peak - A fourteen-year-old climber attempts to become the youngest person to reach Mount Everest's summit while reconnecting with his estranged father.

Sasquatch - A thirteen-year-old boy joins his father's expedition to find Bigfoot in the Pacific Northwest, uncovering unexpected dangers.

Tentacles - The Cryptid Hunters team searches for a giant squid while facing sabotage and deadly creatures in the waters near New Zealand.

Thunder Cave - Jacob Lansa journeys to Africa to find his mother, becoming involved in elephant conservation and facing dangerous poachers.

Gary Paulsen wrote wilderness survival stories featuring young protagonists who must overcome nature's challenges to survive. His experiences as a woodsman and adventurer influenced works like "Hatchet" and "Dogsong," similar to how Smith's zoo career shaped his writing.

Will Hobbs creates outdoor adventure stories centered on wildlife encounters and environmental themes. His books, including "Wild Man Island" and "Jackie's Wild Seattle," feature young characters interacting with animals in remote settings.

Carl Hiaasen combines environmental themes with action-packed plots in his young adult novels. His Florida-based stories like "Hoot" and "Flush" focus on wildlife conservation and feature young people fighting against environmental destruction.

Kenneth Oppel writes action-adventure stories with scientific and animal elements at their core. His "Silverwing" series and "Airborn" showcase detailed research and complex plots involving creatures and exploration.

Peter Lerangis develops fast-paced adventure series with elements of science and discovery. His work on "Seven Wonders" and "The 39 Clues" demonstrates similar plotting techniques to Smith's action-adventure stories.