The new book "The Prairie Builders; Reconstructing America's Lost Grasslands" is the story of Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge as seen through the eyes - and the pen - of noted author Sneed B. Collard III. The book was recently selected as a finalist for the Subaru/SB&F (Science Books and Films) Prize for Excellence in Science Books. This award celebrates outstanding science writing and illustration for children and young adults.

The prizes are intended to encourage the writing and publishing of high-quality science books for all age groups. SB&F believes that through good science books, this generation and the next will have a better understanding and appreciation of science. The Prairie Point Bookstore has seen brisk sales of The Prairie Builders all year long, and have had to make several re-orders to keep up with demand.

The prize committee, made up of scientists, science literature experts, and members of the American Library Association's Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), have narrowed hundreds of submitted books down to four finalists in each of several categories. The Prairie Builders was selected in the "Middle Grades Nonfiction Science Books" category. This book is published by Houghton Mifflin.

One winner in each category will be selected by the judging committee by mid-December. The 2006 Subaru/SB&F Prize winners will be honored at a ceremony which will take place at the American Association for the Advancement of Science annula meeting in St. Louis, Mo., on February 18, 2006 in conjunction with the free Family Science days event.

For more information, interested persons may visit www.sbfonline.com/prizes.