Tuesday, March 29, 2011

New Books for Boys from other authors

I'd like to let the readers of this blog know about two, NEW books for boys from Sourcebooks Jaberwocky For Kids.

First up is My Name is not Alexander, by Jennifer Fosberry and Mike Litwin. Often when I'm sent books to mention on my books for boys blog, I look at them through a filter concerning how I might have used them when our children were small. This is a book that would have gotten a lot of use.



Just How Big Can a Little kid Dream?

Who is your hero?
Alexander takes a rip-roaring historical adventure! Through his imaginative journey, Alexander discovers how great men become heroes: the roughest rider can be surprisingly gentle, a strong leader is also the most peaceful, and sometimes, being brave about what makes you different will not only help you break records, but inspire others.
Join Alexander as he learns how these remarkable men changed the world and encouraged him to find the hero within himself.
“Clever text and exuberant illustrations makes this book a perfect way to introduce kids to historical figures.”
—Deborah Underwood, New York Times bestselling author of The Quiet Book

Girls may also enjoy My Name Is Not Isabella by the same author / illustrator.



Next we have a board book for younger boys. Rocket Town is a colorful, simple to read book by Bob Logan.
Rocket Town by Bob Logan: Book Cover
Product Description
The story follows an astronaut and his canine companion as they drive an old pickup through Rocket Town, passing all manner of space craft like a taxi rocket, a police rocket, a school bus rocket, and even a rocket that looks like a shark.

Each colorful spread is bursting with an eye-dazzling array of rockets from big to small, fast to slow, practical to extremely silly. Our intrepid astronaut and his dog then get into their favorite rocket (a pickup truck-shaped rocket of course!), and the final count down and blast off is sure to thrill young readers.
Both books were provided at no cost by the publisher.
Barney and the Runaway VIDEO
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0l7ZU94Ieo&feature=mfu


Monday, March 28, 2011

4 Video Links




I've posted 4 videos on Youtube that might interest you.








# 1  Soccer Cat http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-rLbhrn2uc&feature=mfu This is a video of our cat, Aubie, who's named after the mascot from Auburn University where our daughter went to school.

# 2  Barney and the Runaway
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0l7ZU94Ieo&feature=mfu is a book trailer for my most recent book that was released on March 1.

# 3  Video Books Trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uswTZ-pJLYA
covers six titles that will be released soon and join some of my other books for boys.

# 4  Tracy's Choices 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUpoCXtHJ2E&feature=mfu contains clips from a documentary film that I produced for use primarily in churches and youth groups.

Let me know what you think of any or all of them.

Thank you,

Max









Friday, March 25, 2011

Homeschooling Today reviews Lost Island Smugglers

A Sam Cooper Adventure

A Review of Lost Island Smugglers
by Max Elliot Anderson
Reviewed by Marilyn Rockett


Boys love adventure, excitement, and challenge, but often they don’t like to read. Max Elliot Anderson, author of Lost Island Smugglers (Port Yonder Press, 2010), understands because he grew up hating to read. Now he writes adventure stories for boys aged eight to twelve (but girls love them too). What mother doesn’t want to find a book with good values wrapped around an adventure story her sons will enjoy?


Fans of Anderson’s seven previous stories will notice that this new Sam Cooper Adventure Series departs from Anderson’s prior writing. His earlier books have had different characters and settings, but Lost Island Smugglers is the first in the new series featuring the same central characters.


A Life-and-Death Adventure


Sam Cooper, the new boy in town again, hates to move. His father’s job as a research biologist takes the family to many interesting places, but it is always hard for Sam to find new friends before it is time to pack up and leave. He wants this move to Florida to be different, but when Sam meets Tony and Tyler at his new church, he doesn’t foresee how different it will be!


Learning to scuba dive with his new friends begins as a fun adventure for Sam but turns into a scary, life-threatening experience because of the boys’ disobedience. A hurricane, a deserted island, and a secret hideout for some frightening characters with high-powered speedboats make the boys wonder whether they will live to see their parents again. They learn a lesson in truth and that it isn’t wise to try to get away with something thinking no one will find out about it.


Some have said that Sam Cooper Adventures are like good family movies, and Anderson brings his award-winning film and video production experience to the written page in stories that will encourage boys to read. Additional titles in the Sam Cooper series, coming soon, include Captain Jack’s Treasure and River Rampage. To learn more about Max Anderson and his writing, visit http://www.maxbooks.9k.com. For interesting and fun information about raising boys and reading, visit Anderson’s blog: http://booksandboys.blogspot.com/.


Marilyn Rockett is a graduated homeschool mother of four sons, grandmother to five home-taught boys, and great-grandmother to one boy. She has read to boys for countless hours and survived their adventures.


Originally published in Homeschooling Today® magazine (Jan/Feb 2011). Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Also be sure to see these videos:
 
Video Books Trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uswTZ-pJLYA
 
Barney and the Runaway book trailer 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0l7ZU94Ieo&feature=mfu  


Soccer Cat http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-rLbhrn2uc&feature=mfu

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

New Book Trailer for Barney and the Runaway

Much of my life has involved the production of films, videos, and TV commercials. I hope you enjoy this NEW Book Trailer for Barney and the Runaway



Please forward this link to teachers, family and friends who have young readers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0l7ZU94Ieo&feature=mfu


Thank you.
Books for boys that girls also enjoy reading.

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Books Books Books

Purchase any of these books by Max Elliot Anderson for $10 each. An additional $3 covers  shipping and handling for any number of books (to US addresses only). All copies will be signed by the author, so be sure to tell us who to sign each book to. These action-adventures and mysteries are written for readers 8 and up.








Send your check to:

Max Elliot Anderson
P O Box 4126
Rockford, IL 61110

New Video About These Books

Offer good until April 30, 2011

Friday, March 18, 2011

Soccer Cat

We've had a cat for a few years. Aubie is named after the mascot at Auburn University. At times she's almost more dog-like than cat. In this video, she chases a tennis ball. I hope you'll pass the link on to your friends.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-rLbhrn2uc&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Upcoming Events & Book Signings

Over the next several weeks, I’ll be at the following locations for book signings and events.







I hope to see you
at one of these.














NOTE! This event is to be rescheduled.
Rockford Borders
199 Deane Drive
Rockford, IL 61107

Saturday - March 26 @ 2PM
Oakland Center Barnes & Noble
Oakland Place Shopping Center
Dekalb, IL 60115

Friday - May 6th from 7-8:30 PM Barnes and Noble



Cherryvale Mall
Cherry Valley, IL

Saturday - April 16, 2011 from 11:00am to 3pm.
Fountaindale Public Library - Annual Author Fair
Fountaindale Public Library District
300 W. Briarcliff
Bolingbrook, IL 60440
New Video




Sunday, March 13, 2011

Barney and the Runaway is for readers 8 and up

Just a reminder that some sources list
Barney and the Runaway for the 4 - 8 age group.
That is incorrect.
This book is for readers 8 - 12 and up.
Watch a new video about my books on Youtube
Please pass the link on to your friends,
thank you.

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Barney and the Runaway Review

The following review captures Barney and the Runaway perfectly, and the reasons why I wrote it.
   Michael Ellis has recently decided that Mike sounds more grownup and asks his parents to call him that. He hates the way that they always tell him what to do, so Mike decides to teach them a lesson by pretending to run away with his dog, Barney.

   Mike and Barney hide out in an old railroad boxcar and fall asleep. But before they know what happened, things had gotten a whole lot more complicated! Mike finds himself in Georgia, traveling with a circus. Thankfully, Big Bob the Clown helps Mike and Barney get to safety--but now Mike thinks he wants to join the circus.
   Will an old runaway be able to talk a young runaway about the value of family? And will be the circus be all that Mike thought it was?
   BARNEY AND THE RUNAWAY is the newest story for boys by Max Elliot Anderson. This book is sure to appeal to tweener boys (and girls). Mike is eleven years old and he has the adventure of a lifetime in this book. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and my daughter can't wait until its her turn to read it.
   My son was a reluctant reader until he was introduced to Max Elliot Anderson's books, and that started him on a reading adventure that hasn't ended yet. My son still has his collection of Max's books on his shelves, and he's in college now. If your son is a reluctant reader, please pick up a copy of any of Mr. Anderson's books. You won't regret it. BARNEY AND THE RUNAWAY is a great read. Review Written by Laura V. Hilton
New Book Video
This video covers my first 6 books. Please share the link with your family, friends, teachers, and grandparents who have young readers 8 and up.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uswTZ-pJLYA  

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Video Books Trailer - Max Elliot Anderson

It's been said that a picture is worth 1000 words. So I thought that a 2 minute video depicting elements from my background in film and video productions, and how that has impacted the action-adventures & mysteries that I write today for readers 8 and up, was overdue.
I also encourage you to send the link for this video to others you know who have young readers in their classroom, family, or circle of friends. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uswTZ-pJLYA
In this video, Barney and the Runaway and Lost Island Smugglers are published. The other titles are coming soon.

Thank you,
Max Elliot Anderson

Saturday, March 05, 2011

This is SO cool! Eagle's Nest Live Cam

I've done this before, and there are others online, but this is a live cam of an eagle's nest. There are eggs so they should stay put for some time now. If you're lucky, you'll see when the other mate comes in and they change places. It has sound, too, and I just saw a tram of visitors go through in the background.

http://www.wvec.com/marketplace/microsite-content/eagle-cam.html
And don't miss my new book,
Barney and the Runaway. Scroll down for more information.

Friday, March 04, 2011

Win a FREE Copy of Barney and the Runaway

If you go to the following link, read the article about how I avoid writers block, and leave a comment on that site, you can enter and possibly win a copy of my new book, Barney and the Runaway.

http://amberstockton.blogspot.com/2011/03/welcome-max-elliott-anderson-and-how-to.html

Thursday, March 03, 2011

Barney and the Runaway copies have arrived.

I don't care how many times it's happened in the past, it is always exciting when a box of new books arrives. UPS just brought me a package filled with new copies of
Barney and the Runaway.
If you want your own copies, there are several ways to get them.

1. Go to your local Barnes and Noble, Borders, Christian Bookstore, Independent Bookstore and ask for Barney and the Runaway
2. Go online to places like Amazon, Barnes and Noble.com, CBD.com and others where you can place an order.
3. If you want signed copies, you may order those directly from the author. Copies sell for $10 each and $3 for shipping/handling. Send your check to:
Max Elliot Anderson
P O Box 4126
Rockford, IL 61110
And be sure to tell us who to sign your copies to.
Also don't forget, we have copies of Lost Island Smugglers and a limited number of the following titles from the previous publisher:
- Secret of Abbott's Cave
- Mountain Cabin Myster
- Newspaper Caper
- Big Rig Rustlers
- North Woods Poachers
All books $10 each and a blanket $3 for shipping and handling no matter how many copies you order.

Wednesday, March 02, 2011

REVIEWS - Barney and the Runaway


Note: Amazon shows the age group
for this book for readers 4 - 8
Barney and the Runaway is
for readers 8 and up.
Some online bookstores show the page count at 70
Barney and the Runaway is 130 pages


HOME SCHOOL BOOK REVIEW - Reviewed by Wayne S. Walker
Rating: 5 stars (EXCELLENT)
Did you ever want to run away and join the circus? Did you ever actually try it? Michael Ellis lives in Independence, MO, is waiting for his twelfth birthday, and has recently told his dad and mom that he wants to be called Mike from now on. But he has problems in school with not doing his work, and his parents always seem to be correcting him and telling him what to do, so he decides to teach them all a lesson by pretending to run away with his dog Barney. The two sneak out one night, intending to stay only long enough to scare his parents and make them appreciate him more, but the plan goes awry.
Mike and Barney climb into a railroad boxcar full of hay to spend the night, but they fall asleep and end up in Georgia with a circus. Fortunately, they are discovered by Big Bob the Clown and are taken to safety in his wagon. Big Bob tries to encourage the boy to get in touch with his parents, but Mike refuses. Barney is a smart dog, and his tricks earn him and Mike a part in the clown show at the circus. Mike begins to think that living and performing with the circus might be the answer to his problems. Meanwhile, someone is trying to sabotage the circus, and their plans might hurt Mike and Barney. Is there anything that they can do to thwart the plot? And will Mike learn anything from the story of Big Bob’s own unfortunate past that will help him understand that his parents truly love him?
Author Max Elliot Anderson grew up as a struggling, reluctant reader and knows exactly what will grab the attention of “tween” boys. I did this book as a read aloud for our fourteen-year-old son who said that it is great. There is much to commend it. Of course, it is filled with action, mystery, and excitement that will keep both boys and girls turning the pages to see what happens next. But there are also important lessons that children will be able to discern along with Mike, such as the importance of family and the fact that we often don’t appreciate what we have until it’s gone. One thing which I especially like is Big Bob's belief that God brought Mike to him so that he could explain what had happened to him as a young boy and help the boy understand his own situation better. Barney and the Runaway is a marvelous adventure book for young people that gets kudos from me.


Publisher: Comfort Publishing, March 2011
ISBN-13: 978-0-9845598-4-8

This is the story of Michael Ellis' protest against his parents for always telling him what to do and punishing him all the time. His parents and teachers are threatening summer school if he doesn't shape up. Mike feels like everyone is against him, so he will just teach them a lesson and run away.
Mike's scruffy little mutt, Barney, tags along with him as they sneak out at night. They climb into a railroad boxcar that is parked on the track and fall asleep. When Mike wakes up to jerking and clanging, he realizes the train is moving, and the door is locked. No one can hear him yelling and banging to get out. Oh boy, now what? Mike didn't really mean to run away but when the train finally stops, he is many miles from home. How did he end up in Georgia with a circus? Fortunately, Big Bob, the Clown, takes Mike and Barney under his wing and gives them a spot to sleep in his wagon.
Big Bob is sure that God brought Mike to him so he could relate what happened to him as a young boy. An old clown named Arnold rescued him, gave him a place to live, and taught him how to be a clown. Bob had no parents, but Mike has loving Christian parents to guide him.
Mike thinks being in a circus will be great fun even though Bob explains to him that a clown sometimes paints on a happy face to cover a broken heart. The show must go on, and a clown's job is to make the customers laugh so Mike and Barney both get into the act.
Someone has been trying to cause the circus to close down, and Mike and Barney overhear robbers planning to rob the circus and burn it to the ground. He must help save his new friends and the wonderful circus that he has come to love.
Max Elliot Anderson is a master at giving us exceptional characters and fast moving, exciting adventures that are inspirational and still encourage reluctant readers to enjoy books that teach them the importance of doing what is right. The very special relationships of a boy and his dog, and then an old clown and a young boy, make this a heartwarming story along with conversation starter ideas about the love of parents you will want to share with your family.
Children's Fiction: Inspirational/Religious - Ages 9-12
Reviewer Beverly J. Rowe © MyShelf.com


Michael W. Ellis has a new ideal to live by, the Declaration of Independence. He's tired of doing what everyone else wants, and so he decides to run away. It seems like an adventure at first when he and his dog, Barney, wind up on a railroad car and then with a traveling circus. Big Bob takes to Mike and wants to make Barney part of the circus, since he has a very special talent that could draw crowds and make money.
The plot thickens, however, when some evil characters have other plans for Barney. When the threat grows, Mike thinks of all the times "if that hadn't happened" that have added up to one big mess. Big Bob, however, comes to the rescue but also tells Mike a story that changes everything. The bottom line is that plans go crazy and one must realize the consequences might not turn out for the best after all is said and done.
Barney and The Runaway is a great adventure story that is unpredictable and fascinating on every page. It's a great addition to the already terrific novels written by this very talented YA fiction author!!!
Posted by Viviane Crystal


Michael Ellis is a young man who lives in the city of Independence in the “Show Me” state, Missouri. Lately however, Mike acts as if he lives in the “Make Me” state. Michael dislikes that his parents are always telling him what to do and punishing him all the time when he disobeys. Even Mrs. Whitlock, Mike’s teacher, thinks he needs to be more disciplined and accountable for his assignments. Summer school is imminent if something doesn’t change.
Mike decides to teach everyone a lesson by running off with his best friend Barney, the scruffiest, little, mixed-breed mutt alive. Barney is believed to be a cross between an alley dog and a junkyard dog, and he often misbehaves, so perhaps this is why the boy and his dog get along so fittingly.
The plan of running away gets a bit more complicated than planned when Mike and Barney hide in a railroad boxcar, fall asleep, and end up in Georgia with a circus in the middle of the night. Luckily for the runaways, Big Bob the Clown takes Mike and Barney to safety in his wagon. Mike decides that living and performing with the circus might be a good idea until Big Bob opens Mike’s eyes to his unfortunate past. Bob tells Mike that a clown paints on a happy face to sometimes cover sadness. A clown may not always be as carefree as he appears, but the show must go on. It is Big Bob’s belief that God brought Mike to him so he could explain what happened to him as a young boy. Big Bob had to depend on an old clown named Arnold to rescue him, but Mike has loving Christian parents to guide him.
“Barney and the Runaway” is a meaningful story about doing what one is told to do. Parents often punish their children, but only because they love and want what is best for them, not because they don’t care. Even though the life of a circus performer with a circus family may appear fun, if given a choice, most would agree that living within the confines of a warm home with loving, caring parents is the preferred choice. As the saying goes, “You don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone.” After Mike overhears some unsettling news and both he and Barney are involved in a scary and dangerous crime, Mike learns his lesson before it’s too late.
I enjoyed this moving piece by Max Elliot Anderson and can highly recommend it. Although written for the younger reader (age 10-12), everyone should enjoy it. The very special relationships of a boy and his dog, and then an old clown and a young boy, make this a tenderhearted tale.
Reviewed by Kelli Glesige for Reader Views

Tuesday, March 01, 2011

Launch Day For Barney And The Runaway

It's Launch Day Today!
March 1, 2011
Barney and the Runaway

Okay, I'll admit that the launch of a new book may not seem quite as dramatic as when the Shuttle leaves Earth, but it's an exciting day nonetheless. Today, Barney and the Runaway is now available nationally from your favorite bookstore or online source. I hope you’ll pick up a copy for your young readers. Several five star reviews have already been posted on various sites and positive comments continue to come in.

Here’s what author Jerry B. Jenkins has said, "Max Elliot Anderson brings a lifetime of dramatic film and video production to the pages of his action adventures and mysteries."

Synopsis___________________________


Barney and the Runaway

Author: Max Elliot Anderson
Audience: 8 – 12 and up; especially boys

Barney and the Runaway tells the story of Michael Ellis, who has recently told his parents to start calling him Mike from now on. He especially hated the way they were always telling him what to do. Mike decides to teach his parents a lesson by pretending to run away for a day with his dog Barney.


The plan gets a bit more complicated than planned when Mike and Barney hide in a railroad boxcar, fall asleep, and end up in Georgia with a circus in the middle of the night. Fortunately for the runaways, Big Bob the Clown takes Mike and Barney to safety in his wagon. Mike decides that living and performing with the circus might be a good idea until Big Bob opens Mike’s eyes to his unfortunate past.


Mike’s encounter with this grown up runaway, in the circus, helps him to understand that his parents truly love him. Then Mike and Barney save the circus. Through it all, Mike learns the importance of family.


Parents often punish their children, but only because they love and want what is best for them, not because they don’t care. Even though the life of a circus performer with a circus family may appear fun, if given a choice, most would agree that living in a warm home with loving, caring parents is the preferred choice. As the saying goes, “You don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone.” After Mike overhears some unsettling news and both he and Barney are involved in a scary and dangerous crime, Mike learns his lesson before it’s too late.


Several new titles are planned for release. Audio books and e-books are also planned, so keep checking back on this blog for further details.
Barney and the Runaway. Parents will appreciate this new book…but kids are gonna love it.

Max Elliot Anderson

PLEASE HELP! I wonder if you would post the following information to your Facebook, Twitter, etc. and email it to your friends, family, and anyone else you can think of?

Max Elliot Anderson’s NEW adventure, Barney and the Runaway, is out. Find info at http://booksandboys.blogspot.com/  

Thank you so much!

A fine and thoughtful read...Rebelling against one's parents is rarely thought out the best it can be. "Barney and the Runaway" tells the story of Mike Ellis, who flees his parents with his dog, sick of their rules. Ending up in a circus, Mike soon learns that parental love may not be obvious, but it's always there. A story of a child coming to understand their parents, "Barney and the Runaway" is a fine and thoughtful read.

Midwest Book Review




Also available from this author, Lost Island Smugglers.