Exciting Books for Avid and Reluctant Readers, Especially Boys

Do you have a struggling middle grade reader this summer, especially a boy?

Believe me when I tell you I grew up hating to read; not just in the summer, but all the time. There were several reasons for this, but the irony is my father authored over 70 books during his lifetime, and I didn’t read any of them as a child.

Today I write action-adventures and mysteries, for middle grade readers I would have enjoyed as a kid. My entire professional life has been devoted to the production of dramatic films, video programs, and television commercials.

So, when it comes to writing for middle grade readers, I bring unique elements to each project.

At the present time, I have contracts for over twenty books with three publishers. Perhaps you’ll find one that’s just perfect for your middle grade reader. Hopefully you’ll discover several more here because these books work well with struggling, or reluctant as well as avid readers. And though they are slanted toward boys, I’ve found that most girls have embraced them, too. 

The Sam Cooper Adventure Series!

 http://www.amazon.com/Lost-Island-Smugglers-Cooper-Adventure/dp/1942513291/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1433000622&sr=1-2-fkmr0&keywords=max+elliot+anderson%2C+lost+island+smugglers

http://www.amazon.com/Captain-Jacks-Treasure-Adventure-Episode-ebook/dp/B00XA7915A/ref=sr_1_15?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1433000542&sr=1-15&keywords=max+elliot+anderson

There are 6 books in this series. Currently the available titles are Lost Island Smugglers and Captain Jack’s Treasure. The series includes the following titles:

Lost Island Smugglers 

Captain Jack’s Treasure

River Rampage

This Property Is Condemned 

Coming Soon!

At the Buzzer 

Ghosts In The Old Attic

Coming Soon!

Next is another 6 book series, from Elk Lake Publishing, called The Accidental Adventures of Kurt Benson And His Friends, Riley and Jordan. This series includes:

The Cat Burglars

Coming Soon!

Funny Money Mystery

The Secret Of Grandmother’s 

Grandfather Clock

Coming Soon!

Summer Camp Trouble

Danger Mountain

Shadow Of The Fat Man

NOTE: This series will begin releasing soon.

Mark these sites and check back often
Elk Lake Publishing: http://www.elklakepublishing.com/
Their FaceBook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ElkLakePublishing?fref=ts

For educators of elementary school students, especially those who struggle to get into a book. In association with Chestnut Publishing, in Toronto, Canada, another series of 6 books is in the works. Each includes reading comprehension questions and learning activities developed by a noted educational professional. A collection of short stories will also be included in the books to be published. These are all stand-alone stories. The titles include: 

Third House On The Left - Bullies

Midnight Shadows - Dangers of alcohol 

The House Next Door - Hydroponics & illegal drugs

Rail Yard Bandits - Stealing

The Secret Tunnel - Honor & the value of a good reputation

Forest Of Fear - Environment

Tree Fort, Pigtails, Pollywogs, And More        (A delightful collection of short stories for kids)

Mark this site and check back regularly

Chestnut Publishing: https://www.facebook.com/ElkLakePublishing?fref=ts

Another 6 books are available now from Comfort Publishing. They include:

Legend of the White Wolf

North Woods Poachers

Newspaper Caper

When the Lights Go Out

Barney and the Runaway

Terror at Wolf Lake

I hope you’ll check out these books and the links provided. The first two series, Sam Cooper, and the Accidental Adventures, will be widely distributed through traditional book stores by Ingram, so I’d appreciate it if you would print out this entire post and take it to book store managers in your area. 

You are also welcome to forward this post to family, teachers, and your circle of friends.

Thank you!

Max Elliot Anderson

Middle grade guys...Read a Book

Dramatic video to encourage boys to drop that electronic device and read...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgzkiTCeTEU 

        

    
    Max Elliot Anderson writes adventures and mysteries for middle grade readers. An additional 23 books are contracted for publishing over the next several months!

Amazon Author Page 

http://www.amazon.com/Max-Elliot-Anderson/e/B002BLP3EE

It's Children's Book Week

It’s Children’s Book Week May 2 - 8. 

Why not pick up a good action-adventure or mystery for the children in your life today? 

http://bookweekonline.com/about 

Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQyjku74XDE  

It's National Library Week from April 10 to 16

Take your child or grandchild to the library this week. 

Why? 

Because it's National Library Week from April 10 to 16.

http://www.theunion.com/news/21558276-113/national-library-week-2016-library-transforms-young-people# 

Information Details for The Sense of Humor

Current information for The Sense of Humor

Title: 

The Sense of Humor - Let Humor Fast Track You to Healthier, Happier Living

Author: Max Elliot Anderson

Email Contact: mander8813@aol.com 

Publisher: Elk lake Publishing http://www.elklakepublishing.com

ISBN: 9781942513971 

ASIN: 1942513976

Distribution: Ingram / Spring Arbor -Note: If it isn’t listed it will be shortly. This new book is available wherever books are sold.

Amazon link http://ow.ly/Zlcca

The Sense of Humor Promo Video 1 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NcL0N9Vt5g 

The Sense of Humor Promo Video 2 

https://youtu.be/sa8dboA8IH4

The Sense of Humor Promo blog 

http://yourhumorsense.blogspot.com 

Author’s Middle Grade Action-Adventure and Mystery Books Blog:                 http://booksandboys.blogspot.com 

NEWSRelease FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Max Anderson

PHONE: (815) 877-1514 mander8813@aol.com 

The Sense of Humor

Let Humor Fast Track You to Healthier, Happier Living

Rockford, IL - Max Elliot Anderson announces the release of his new book, The Sense of Humor - Let Humor Fast Track You to Healthier, Happier Living, from Elk Lake Publishing. ISBN: 9781942513971 | ASIN: 1942513976

“April is National Humor Month,” Anderson said, “and kicks off on April Fool’s Day. During these uncertain times, what people need most is a good laugh. Imagine what would happen if we understood there is an untapped force, contained within us, that has the power to totally change our lives. And what if we discovered, all we had to do in order to unlock this secret, is to simply start using it?”

The New England Journal of Medicine estimates that 85% of all human illnesses are curable by the body’s own healing system. Recent data suggests the more positive input we can include in our lives, the more we are supporting our body’s ability to tap into its natural healing process.

The Sense of Humor is divided into two sections. The first explores the benefits of incorporating humor in medicine, relationships, the classroom, families, the workplace, by youth workers, pastors, counselors, and more. 

“This project began as a simple joke book,” Anderson continued. “But through my video production work with clients, I began to discover the healing value of laughter and humor plus the benefits being found in business and industry where humor was used.”

The second part of The Sense of Humor contains hundreds of jokes and humor arranged in sections that relate to each of the major subjects found in the first. 

Studies reveal that humor aids in the healing process. And a personal sense of humor helps combat stress and depression. In business, one of the primary traits the human resources department looks for is a healthy sense of humor in job applicants. People without a sense of humor aren’t expected to go far. 

A pastor notes, “Humor is disarming. It makes us deal with issues we wouldn’t face otherwise. Humor is more than a joke at the end of a sermon.” As one youth pastor puts it, “The way to a student’s heart is through his funny bone.” 

Education professionals tell us laughter encourages learning. Humor leads to an increase in attention span and it can help both the students and the teacher. Educators find, when used in teaching, humor promotes better retention, better understanding, along with more attentiveness and alertness. 

Research also demonstrates how humor can make sense in the life of anyone who is willing to use it. Outside of this primary benefit, humor touches the lives of everyone around the user in positive ways.

Max Elliot Anderson is best known for his many action-adventures and mysteries written for middle grade readers. The Sense of Humor, with its clean content, is intended primarily for adults.

The Sense of Humor is available wherever books are sold.

Bio for Max Elliot Anderson

Max Elliot Anderson has spent most of his life in the production of documentary and dramatic films, client videos, and television commercials. Most of his previous writing includes adventures and mysteries that bring the same visual excitement, and heart-pounding action from those productions into his books for middle grade readers 8 and up.

While producing video programs and commercials for clients, he observed the important role humor played in many different situations. The Sense of Humor is a culmination of those experiences and observations, and is intended to help people understand the power a positive sense of humor offers.

Mr. Anderson is listed in Who’s Who in America and his productions have won multiple Telly Awards. He and his wife Claudia have two children and four grandchildren.

Amazon link http://ow.ly/Zlcca

The Sense of Humor Promo blog http://yourhumorsense.blogspot.com 

The Sense of Humor Promo Video 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NcL0N9Vt5g 

The Sense of Humor Promo Video 2 https://youtu.be/sa8dboA8IH4

New Box of Books - The Sense of Humor

Always an exciting day when a box full of new books arrives!

Announcing the release of The Sense of Humor

April is National Humor Month. And why not? It kicks off with April Fool’s Day right at the beginning.

During these uncertain times, what people need most is a good laugh. Imagine what would happen if we understood there is an untapped force, contained within us, that has the power to totally change our lives. And what if we discovered, all we had to do in order to unlock this secret, is to simply start using it?

The Sense of Humor - Let Humor Fast Track You to Healthier, Happier Living, by Max Elliot Anderson, is a new book just released by Elk Lake Publishing. Distribution soon available through Ingram and Spring Arbor.  ISBN: 9781942513971 | ASIN: 1942513976

Amazon link http://ow.ly/Zlcca

People are hungry for meaning in their lives. Who doesn’t desire to be healthier?  War against depression is being waged every day. Research demonstrates the sense that humor can make in the life of anyone who is willing to use it.

The Sense of Humor focuses on the benefits of using humor in health, education, work, ministry, family, and relationships. The first part of this book covers these important topics and more. The second part contains hundreds of jokes and funny stories related to the earlier chapter subjects.

The Sense of Humor will be useful for parents, pastors, medical professionals, counselors, public speakers, teachers, in the workplace, in our relationships, plus many more applications. And in all of these areas, the book makes a great gift.

Attempting to understand the benefits of humor in our lives has hit the main stream media in television and radio news reports, magazines, newspapers, and more. It was said when the Space Shuttle Columbia broke apart on re-entry, and again after 9/11, that people need humor to cope in times of trouble.  With the threat of terrorist activity all around us, a cabinet office for Homeland Security, and the current economic uncertainties, people need humor now more than ever before.

Amazon link http://ow.ly/Zlcca

The Sense of Humor Promo blog http://yourhumorsense.blogspot.com

The Sense of Humor Promo Video 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NcL0N9Vt5g

The Sense of Humor Promo Video 2 https://youtu.be/sa8dboA8IH4

Bio for The Sense of Humor

Max Elliot Anderson has spent most of his life in the production of documentary and dramatic films, client videos, and television commercials. Most of his previous writing includes adventures and mysteries that bring the same visual excitement, and heart-pounding action from those productions into his many books for middle grade readers 8 and up.

While producing video programs and commercials for clients, he observed the important role humor played in many different situations. The Sense of Humor is a culmination of those experiences and observations, and is intended to help people understand the power a positive sense of humor offers.

Mr. Anderson is listed in Who’s Who in America and his productions have won multiple Telly Awards, He and his wife Claudia have two children and four grandchildren.

In Honor of Ronald and Nancy Reagan

As we mark the passing of Nancy Reagan, I'm transported back to a day during the fall of 1990. At that time I had the unique opportunity to spend much of a day with him as he visited his boyhood home in Dixon, Illinois. This turned out to be the last time he would visit there.

The original video is now housed at the Reagan Presidential Library in California. The following pictures were shot off of my TV screen from a VHS copy of the original material so the quality is diminished.

Along with the rest of the video crew, we were given Secret Service clearance for the day and shadowed him where ever he went.

We began at the river where, as a lifeguard, he saved many lives. There he skipped stones on the river and talked about his experiences.
We walked up to the third floor gym where he had played basketball. Mr. Reagan took a few shots from the free-throw line.

We covered him with video cameras as crowds pushed toward him and made the Secret Service people nervous. For most of the day I was never more than inches or a few feet from one of the greatest men I believe this country has ever had as its leader.

A group of schoolchildren recited the Pledge of Allegiance as he stood out in front of the house. He went to the garage in the back of the house and then on to the statute of himself.

Mr. Reagan spoke to a full house that had gathered in the high school gym. There he was presented with a letter jacket. He proceeded to the football field and threw passes to some of the team.

The most unique experience came when we traveled to the actual house. There we set up for the only video interview that he gave that day. I was able to ask him a number of personal questions about growing up in that house.

After the interview, President Reagan was kind enough to send me a personal letter of thanks.

The Sense of Humor is Published

The Sense of Humor is published here and will also be in print soon http://www.amazon.com/The-Sense-Of-Humor-Healthier-ebook/dp/B01CMLVVJS?SubscriptionId=1QZMGW0RRJC2PX87HDR2&tag=salranexp-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B01CMLVVJS

Author interview by David Allen Binder

Max Elliot Anderson author interview by David Allen Binder https://sites.google.com/site/dalanbinder/blog/0624-276post-maxelliotandersoninterviewwithdavidalanbinder

Eagles are Back on Their Nest again

The eagles in Decorah, Iowa, have returned to their nest. It's fascinating to watch the progression until the new birds fly from their nest later this spring.

http://sportsmansparadiseonline.com/Decorah_Bald_Eagle_Nest.html 

Enjoy!

Picture NOT from current year

New Catalog Pages

Here are two new catalog pages from Elk Lake Publishing. Some of these titles are already released while others will be out in the coming months. There is a price error on the second page where those 6 books should be listed at $9.95.

NOTE! The following prices are incorrect and will be changed to $9.95 in the next catalog issue.

New Catalog Reaches over 400,000 readers

The Sense of Humor now appears regularly in a catalog contained at the back of each issue of the Book Fun Magazine. Book Fun goes to over 400,000 readers each month http://www.bookfunmagazine.com

In addition, 12 of my new middle grade fiction books, written especially for boys - but girls love them too - are listed.

You’ll also find Tracy’s Choices listed within the pages of this monthly catalog.

VIDEO Trailer for The Sense Of Humor

A video trailer for The Sense Of Humor is now posted on Youtube. This book is scheduled to be published in 2016 by Elk Lake Publishing. https://youtu.be/5NcL0N9Vt5g

New Blog for New Book

Young people in your family, church, school, or circle of friends need to read this book and see the DVD when they're released by Elk Lake Publishing in 2016 http://tracyschoices.blogspot.com/2015/12/tracys-choices-new-book-coming-soon.html

An Excellent Christmas Gift In Stores Everywhere...Where To Find It In The Bible

Looking for that perfect gift this Christmas? Here's an idea. 

If you want to know what the Bible says about topics like computers or nutrition or psychology, you may not find them in regular concordances. 

Where to Find It in the Bible helps you locate specific Bible references to thousands of different subjects!

This is a contemporary concordance that uses common phrases to help you locate biblical sources on a myriad of subjects, both traditional and offbeat.Useful to Bible readers, students, Sunday school teachers, youth directors, counselors, pastors, or anyone who wants to find - using everyday speech - relevant Bible passages quickly and easily. An A-to-Z listing of topics puts key Scriptures at your fingertips, without heavy theological language. Includes humorous illustrations throughout.

Amazon Link 
http://www.amazon.com/Nelsons-Little-Book-Where-Bible/dp/0785247084%3FSubscriptionId%3D1QZMGW0RRJC2PX87HDR2%26tag%3Dsalranexp-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3D0785247084

Christmas Reading Ideas for Middle Grade Eyes

Christmas Book Ideas

For Middle Grade Readers In Your Family or Circle of Friends

Are there young readers 8 - 12 in your family, or circle of friends, who love reading good mysteries and adventures? If the answer is yes, then here are several ideas for you this Christmas and on into next year.

               Available Now

Find over 60 pages of reviews here: 

http://maxbookreviews.blogspot.com

Amazon Author Page here: 

http://www.amazon.com/Max-Elliot-Anderson/e/B002BLP3EE

Find promotional Videos for most of the books here: 

http://www.youtube.com/user/Maxbooks100?feature=watch

More Books Are Coming

An additional 23 books have been contracted, so there will be a steady stream of new titles in the months ahead.

"Max Elliot Anderson brings a lifetime of dramatic film and video production to the pages of his action adventures and mysteries."Jerry B. Jenkins, Author

"Sam Cooper Adventures are like good, family movies . . . as an ordinary kid finds himself in exciting and extra-ordinary adventures!" Bill Myers - Author

Nobody Warned Us

     Apparently these guys didn't get the memo warning them of the significance about today. 
     The turkeys were snacking on fallen seeds from a bird feeder in our back yard earlier. One of their relatives is currently baking in our oven.
     If you look at the bird out front, he seems to be looking for his long lost uncle or someone. Sniff...snnnif. What's that I smell?

The Sense Of Humor Book Cover and Update

Here is the cover for The Sense Of Humor. This book is now in the editing process and slated to be published by Elk Lake Publishing. This is my first book project for adult readers. A release date has not been announced so keep an eye on this blog for further information.

Let humor put you on a fast track to healthier, happier living.

Additional information about this book is available at:

http://yourhumorsense.blogspot.com 

New Toad in the Nieghborhood

When we first moved into our house, over 30 years ago, we noticed several toads around the yard. Then, for some reason, they seemed to disappear and we haven’t seen any for many years. That was until this past weekend. While mowing the yard, I saw something move in the grass next to me. To my surprise, it was a big, fat toad.

Quickly I shut off the mower, bent down, picked up the toad, and deposited it in a place next to the house.

I hope this will become its new, permanent home. We’re even looking into ordering a toad house for the little guy.

By next spring, I’m also hoping to find a lot of his relatives around the yard and garden. Maybe this cement frog will make him feel a little more at home : )) Might have to write a story about them sometime.