Monday, September 20, 2010

A boy - A Flashlight - A book...A True Story

Note! You are welcome to republish any or all of this story, including the picture, on your blog, or in print.

A boy - A Flashlight - A book...A True Story


The reasons why people write are as varied as the number of writers. The following story sums up why I write for readers 8 and up, especially boys.

I received a message on Facebook from a mother who wanted me to know that her ten-year-old son had just written a review for my new book, Lost Island Smugglers. It was posted on Amazon, so I went there, took a look, and found the following:


5 out of 5 stars Peyton's Review


By Diane M. Graham "DMGRAHAM" - See all my reviews


(REAL NAME)


This review is from: Lost Island Smugglers (Paperback)


This is the best book I've ever read in my life. My favorite parts are:


#1 The high speed chase when Sam, Tyler and Tony are chased by the men in large black coats.


#2 The deadly storm when the boat rips in two.


#3 When Sam, Tyler and Tony wash up on Lost Island.


#4 When Sam, Tyler and Tony take a ride in the submarine.


The pictures are awesome and give me a good view of the things in Lost Island Smugglers. I will tell all my friends about it.


Peyton


I went back to Facebook and sent a note of appreciation to Peyton's mother, Diane, telling her that I had just started a new book for those 8 and up boy readers. I won't disclose the particulars here, but I told her that the name of my hero main character in the story was Logan. After reading the review above, I decided to change his name to Peyton.


Diane wrote back to tell me that she and Peyton had been using my book as a read aloud. They'd finished reading for the night, and the family went to bed. At 1 o'clock in the morning, Diane got up and found Peyton reading my book, under the covers, with a flashlight, because he couldn't wait to see how it would end.


I have a long history of producing films, TV commercials, and video programs. I'm telling you, you couldn't write a better script to help tell other parents, and young readers, that Lost Island Smugglers is a book that young readers find hard to put down. Kids tell me that reading one of my books, "...is like being in an exciting movie."


Thank you Peyton, and thank you Diane.

Amazon Link for Lost Island Smugglers

9 comments:

Danielle Leonard said...

I'm always looking for great new books for my boys. I'll have to look your book up and pass it along to my kids. Reading aloud is one of the best ways to connect with my kids. I've read Harry Potter, Farley Mowat, even the original Pinocchio. I think my kids like novels that much more when they're read to them (even my eldest would agree, and he's 10.)

max said...

I agree, Danielle. Reading aloud is very important.

Lynda Lee Schab said...

That is awesome, Max! What a wonderful compliment! And what a great thing for you to use the boy's name. You know he'll be telling that to all his friends! :-)

heidi330 said...

Max,
I have a four yr old boy, i know he's not ready to try your books on his own but he loves to here us read to him. I've been reading to him since he was just a few days old. He loves books and is trying to read on his own. I thank you so much for writing stories that are great reads for boys. There are lots for girls but it seems people forget there are boys out there who love to read also. I'm collecting your stories so I have them for him and when he is ready to read them on his own.
Thanks again and great posting, that little guy will be so proud having his name in your book..
Heidi

Sheila Deeth said...

Wow! What a superb compliment to your writing. Congratulations!

max said...

Thank you Lynda. It's been fun writing the story with the new name.

max said...

Heidi, you're right, 4 is a little young, but I appreciate that you've begun collecting the stories.

Many thanks!

max said...

Thank you much Sheila.

Litland.com said...

What an awesome Story Max! Thanks for the email alerting me to this. And thanks for continuing to publish these great books.

BTW North Woods Poacher review copy will be donated to a local family who just brought home (adopted) 4 African relatives ages 6-12, 3 of which are boys!

Debra :>)