Saving Snakes

By Jessica Lee Anderson and Alejandra Barajas

When Mom brings home a new houseguest from the exotic animal hospital, it sparks a great idea. Naomi decides to form a snake rescue club with her best friend, Emma, and her brother, Nolan. But tensions arise with her next-door neighbor Taylor, who hates snakes. Will the snakes bring them together or drive them apart? One thing is for certain: rescuing snakes leads to adventures—and even friendships—that Naomi never imagined!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Capstone Young Readers
• Release date: Jan 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9781666349559

Jessica Lee Anderson

J. L. Anderson is the author of the award-winning novels Calli and Border Crossing, as well as many other books for young people. She graduated from Hollins University with a master of arts degree in children’s literature. She lives near Austin, Texas, with her husband, daughter, and two crazy dogs. Learn more at jessicaleeanderson.com.

Book preview

Chapter 1

A GOOD KIND OF SNAKE

Snake fact #1: Snakes are reptiles. There are more than 3,000 snake species in the world!

I paced by the front door, waiting for Mom to bring the latest patient home from the exotic animal hospital. Even the smell of homemade deep-dish pizza drifting through the house wasn’t enough to pull me away.

It’s close to five feet long, I told my older brother, Nolan.

I might as well have been talking to the air. Nolan kept reading his book about the space station. At eleven years old, Nolan was only a few years older than me. But that didn’t stop him from thinking he was way cooler.

I looked out the window again. "Mom said we’ll have to keep a close eye on her. You hear that, Nolan? Her. It’s a girl."

Nolan grunted. "You’ll have to keep a close eye on her, Naomi. I don’t care if the snake is a girl or boy. I don’t want that thing to stay with us at all."

She’s more than a thing. None of this is her fault—including being born a snake, I said. Besides, she’s a good kind of snake.

No snake is a good snake. Nolan started reading again.

I flipped open my notebook of snake facts and photos to show my brother. I had started working on it a couple of years ago, and now it was almost full. I had the whole thing memorized and kept adding new facts.

Look at snake fact number fifteen, I said. When Nolan didn’t look up, I started reading aloud. "Snake fact number fifteen: Snakes help control unwanted pests. Some harmless snakes make the world a safer place for everyone by eating venomous snakes. And venomous snakes even serve as a food source for important animals."

Naomi stands in the living room pointing to her notebook of snake facts. Nolan reads a book on space nearby.

You should know by now I’m not interested in your notebook or learning about snakes, Nolan said.

I sighed. Nolan was a lot like Dad when it came to reptiles—not a fan. At least Dad agreed to help rehab snakes and foster animals. That happened a lot since Mom was a veterinarian at the Austin Exotic Animal Hospital.

Minutes seemed like hours. Finally, Mom pulled into the driveway. I rushed outside to meet the western rat snake we’d be helping.

Meet our newest houseguest, Mom said as I peeked into the crate.

The snake was dark brown with even darker blotchy markings. But her whole body seemed wrinkled up like she was starving and very thirsty.

Will she be okay? I asked.

I didn’t want anything bad to happen to our guest. Just like people, snakes needed to eat and drink to survive.

I hope so, Mom said.

I hugged the crate. I promise to take good care of you.

Let’s get her inside so she can rest, Mom said.

I lifted the crate. The snake was surprisingly heavy for something shaped like a rope. As I reached the front porch, our neighbor, Taylor, approached.

What nerdy thing are you up to now, Nay? Taylor asked.

I frowned. I didn’t like being called Nay at all. And the word nerdy burned.

Please call me Naomi. And I’m helping an animal in need, I replied. Take a look. I held the crate up so Taylor could have a better view of the snake.

Taylor peered in and screamed. Then she burst into tears. Get that thing away from me!

She’s not even near you. I recited snake fact #21: Snakes might react if someone bothers or surprises them, but they aren’t aggressive.

I don’t like snakes, and I’m done trying to be your friend! Taylor started to cry. Then she bolted back to her house.

I didn’t understand Taylor’s reaction. Snakes were awesome!

Mom shook her head as if she couldn’t believe what had just happened either. Some people have a deep-rooted fear of snakes. You should’ve warned her about what was inside.

How was I supposed to know Taylor was so scared of snakes? I said.

Besides, I thought to myself, Taylor never acts like she wants to be my friend.

Mom held the door open. I made sure not to trip on Nolan’s shoes as I walked