Southern Writers Magazine currently features a guest blog about my middle grade fiction, “How I Write.” Check it out here http://southernwritersmagazine.blogspot.com/2016/11/how-i-write.html
Monday, November 14, 2016
Saturday, November 12, 2016
Now That Basketball Season Has Begun...At The Buzzer
At The Buzzer
Synopsis_________________________________
At the Buzzer
Author: Max Elliot Anderson
Audience: Middle School; especially boys
Sam Cooper had rehearsed a thousand times, in the back yard, how he would win the big game, with a three point shot, and be a hero. Still, he wondered what would happen in a real game. Sam’s friends all played on the basketball team at school.
Sam was concerned about his best friend, Perry, for a couple of reasons, and he was going to do his best to help his friend.
On the way home from a survival church camp weekend, the boys’ van is nearly involved in a fatal accident with an eighteen-wheeler on a rain slick road. The boys have to confront life and death for the first time in their lives.
Later, while they practiced basketball at Sam’s house, Perry fell, resulting in a severe injury. Instantly his plans to use basketball as the ticket to his future were changed. Perry was the big man in the middle. Without him, the team had to change the way they played.
Would they be able to win the championship?
Would Chris take the final shot like he’d practiced his whole life?
Did it go in…or didn’t it? The answer will surprise you.
Order your copy today!
Order your copy today!
Friday, November 11, 2016
To All The Veterans Who Celebrate Veterans Day Today
In October, 1967, I completed my basic training at Ft. Campbell, KY. That’s me, in the second row, 4th from the right, standing right next to my drill sergeant. Yikes, that still gives me the willies. I think he just wanted to keep an eye on me to make sure I actually graduated, and got out of his life. That’s because I even got him to laugh from time to time, and, as all veterans know, drill sergeants in basic training NEVER laughed.
I’d been drafted and went on to serve in Germany in a tank company, as the main gun and machine gun loader, before taking on the duties of company clerk. Glad I took typing in high school. Two of my other brothers served in Okinawa and Vietnam.
Tonight our church will host a wonderful veterans dinner which is always such a nice evening.
Congratulations to all who served and are now able to celebrate our special day.
Thursday, November 10, 2016
Cubs Win! Trump Wins! 2 amazing results and in the same year, too.
No one could have predicted the Chicago Cubs would win the World Series, or Donald Trump might now be addressed as President Elect Trump.
Interesting days for sure.
Thursday, November 03, 2016
What a Game 7! Way to go Cubs
The Chicago Tribune included this W poster in a recent paper. We put ours in the window after that great game last night.
Wednesday, November 02, 2016
Go CUBS Go!
We're all going slightly crazy in Illinois with game 7 tonight.
As the song says, "Go CUBS Go!"
Monday, October 31, 2016
Happy Halloween Art
In our city, there are a few flood control facilities to control heavy rainfall. One of them includes high concrete walls which are painted by residents almost daily. A piece of artwork may be here today and painted over tomorrow.
My granddaughter and I were in the dry spillway while looking for dandelion greens to be fed to a wooly bear caterpillar we've been keeping in a jar. One of the foods he loves most are those greens. We hope he will hibernate in that jar until next spring when he is expected to change into a tiger moth.
So these pictures are my wish too you for a ...
Happy and Safe Halloween!
Monday, October 24, 2016
The Largest Truck In The World!
Recently my wife and I took a 2 1/2 hour drive to Peoria, IL, to hear the Gaither Vocal Band.
This is a picture of the largest truck in the world, and it's built by Caterpillar. We viewed a short video before entering the center, and the theatre, with rows and rows of seats, was actually located in the back of this truck. The truck is used in the mining industry.
If you're wondering, I'm that little ant standing in front of this massive machine, trying not to become a bug splat on the giant windshield. The truck is so big, it is shipped to the customer's site in pieces. Then a crew works 24 hours a day for 3 weeks to assemble it.
Caterpillar also sponsors a Sprint Cup race car driven by Ryan Newman. Being a NASCAR fan, I was interested in seeing that, too.
By the way, do you know where Caterpillar actually got its name? If you'd like to know, send me an email at mander8813@aol.com and I'll tell
you the secret.
Max
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
Contract Signed for Two New Middle Grade Adventure-Mysteries
Contracts have been signed for two more middle grade action-adventure-mysteries.
Shadow
Synopsis_________________________________
Author: Max Elliot Anderson
Audience: 8 – 12; especially boys
Shadow is a classic, boy-and-his-dog story, filled with twists, turns, action,danger, and mystery. For as long as he could remember, all Bobby Taylor ever wanted was a dog of his own…any dog. But, he had a problem. His step-father managed the local animal control facilities, and the last thing he wanted to see at home was another barking dog.
Bobby began to notice a severely neglected dog, in the back yard of a run-down home that he passes on his way to school. So, he sort of adopted this pitiful animal as his own. He even gave him a name; Shadow. Unfortunately, because the dog had been so mistreated, he had an extremely vicious side. But, whenever he was in Bobby’s presence, anyone would have thought this was the most gentle dog in town.
Buck and his followers made it their mission to pick on Bobby with every opportunity. That’s because Bobby was one of the scrawniest kids in school.
Then a rash of vandalism struck the town of Mason City. It began small, but became increasingly destructive. After each hit, the vandals left their mark; a symbol that was always spray-painted on a wall or sidewalk. Bobby is able to keep Shadow, as his own dog, under one condition. If the dog ever attacks anyone, the sheriff has ordered that Bobby’s father would have to put the dog down.
What happens when Bobby finally discovers who’s behind the vandalism? And, when they know he knows, they set out to make sure he never tells another human being. After Shadow ultimately saves Bobby’s life, he puts his own in jeopardy.
This story will remind readers how important it is to tell the truth, no matter what the consequences may be.
Snake Island
Synopsis_________________________________
Author: Max Elliot Anderson
Audience: 8 – 12; especially boys
Rod Campbell loved to go tubing with his friends down the lazy river outside of town. They often wondered about Snake Island as they drifted by.
Then, one day Mr. Patterson rushed out in front of the boys as they rode their bikes. People around town said he was a little crazy since he’d come back from the war. Some said his injuries had affected his brain. But Mr. Patterson warned them about the island.
Rod talked his friends into camping out on the island since it was near his grandfather’s farm. If they could last the whole night, then there wouldn’t be anything to be afraid of they reasoned.
On the night of the campout, someone came to the island, dug a hole, and rolled a large piece of carpet in. Then he began covering it up. The boys were terrified when they realized the man digging the hole was Mr. Patterson.
They raced off the island. The next day they learned that the richest man in town was missing. Police suspected murder.
Rod and his friends reported what they saw and Mr. Patterson was accused of the crime. But did he do it? And what did he bury in that hole?
Keep watching this blog for further details.
Max
Wednesday, October 05, 2016
My NEW Middle Grade Mystery - Adventure Series Has Arrived
Reviewers welcome! If you are in a position to influence young readers, their teachers, parents, or grandparents, contact me and let me know. I would be happy to supply review copies in those circumstances. Write to me at mander8813@aol.com give me the details, and include your mailing address.
Several boxes arrived today for my NEW! middle grade series, The Accidental Adventures and his friends Riley and Jordan.
These new books join a previous middle grade series, The Sam Cooper Adventure Series as well as several more stand-alone, middle grade adventures and mysteries.
My books tend to be shorter, around 100 pages - some longer - so that young readers can feel the satisfaction of actually finishing a book.
Let's face it, kids' schedules today are pressed on every side. And there are tons of distractions including multiple electronic devices.
Who has time to read?
But we all know how important reading is to the future success of our children in their education, future careers, and lives.
Let's work together to help get this generation of kids 8 - 13 reading again.
After all, readers are the leaders other follow.
Max Elliot Anderson
Find most of my books on Amazon in print and in electronic form at this link.
Saturday, September 24, 2016
Books That Make A Difference for Young Readers
Comment From a Mom
Thank you so much for filling the need for interesting, engaging, wholesome novels for boys. You have blessed our household more than you will ever know. Our son, who struggled so much when it came to reading, had the door flung open with your novels. He couldn't put them down. He would even sneak a flashlight to bed and read under the covers. He has become such an avid reader that no one believes me when I tell them how hard reading used to be for him. So again, I encourage you to continue in your writing.
$5.99 each in print
$2.99 each in e-book
Find my books on Amazon
Tuesday, September 13, 2016
Here's The News I Mentioned Earlier - The Accidental Adventures Series Is Published
NEWSRelease
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Accidental Adventures, A New Middle Grade Series
ROCKFORD, IL., September 13, 2016 / Author Max Elliot Anderson has published a new adventure series. “The Accidental Adventures of Kurt Benson and his friends Riley and Jordan,” which includes The Cat Burglars, Funny Money Mystery, The Secret of Grandmother’s Grandfather Clock, Summer Camp Trouble, Danger Mountain, and Shadow of the Fat Man.
This series joins his previous works, “The Sam Cooper Adventure Series,” and several other stand-alone adventures and mysteries for young readers.
“Kurt Benson and his friends don’t go out looking for trouble,” Anderson says, “trouble just seems to find them.”
“These books are written in the manner of a good, old-fashioned Hardy Boys - style mystery,” writes a reviewer in CBA Marketplace. Reviewer Heather Hunt wrote, “This is Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn if they lived in modern American suburbia.” These comparisons are echoed by numerous other readers and reviewers who also include references to Nancy Drew, Tom Swift, and adventure author Jack London.
“Those comments interest me,” Anderson said, “because I grew up hating to read.”
Max Elliot Anderson has pursued a career of film, video, and television commercial production. “I try to bring that same heart-pounding excitement, adventure, and mystery to the pages of my books,” Anderson said.
Author Jerry B. Jenkins reports, “Max Elliot Anderson brings a lifetime of dramatic film and video production to the pages of his action adventures and mysteries.” And author Bill Myers adds, “Max's Adventures are like good, family movies . . . as an ordinary kid finds himself in exciting and extra-ordinary adventures!”
This comment, from a dad, probably best sums up the reactions to Anderson’s books from teachers, parents, grandparents, and librarians. “The final lights out came at 9:30 pm. Our son complied, shut the lights out, and ‘went to bed.’ It was later when we found out he had grabbed his flashlight and, under the covers, finished reading your book that night. What can a parent say to that kind of behavior? After searching for interesting books for him to read, we finally found books he couldn't put down.”
“Let’s grow the next generation of readers together,” Anderson said. “After all, readers are the leaders others follow.”
The Accidental Adventure Series is due to be released in time for Christmas. These books, too, will carry the $5.99 and $2.99 prices. This series had been expected earlier, but the publishing company was recently sold, causing a delay.
Accidental Adventures VIDEO
The Cat Burglars
Funny Money Mystery
The Secret of Grandmother’s
Grandfather Clock
Summer Camp Trouble
Danger Mountain
Shadow of the Fat Man
Prices are $5.99 in print and $2.99 in Ebook
Do you have a Middle Grade Reader 8 - 13 in your home, family, classroom, or circle of friends? Make sure they have the link to this blog for future updates and information. http://booksandboys.blogspot.com
Wednesday, September 07, 2016
15th Anniversary of 9/11 - When The Lights Go Out - a middle grade adventure
When The Lights Go Out was written for the 10th anniversary of 9/11 so our kids will never forget its importance. Many middle grade readers are too young to remember anything about 9/11 except for what they see on TV. This exciting, heart-pounding action-adventure story can help.
When the Lights go Out
Peyton Aldrich has just moved to a new army base with his parents and younger sister. He doesn’t understand why his father has been sent to such a rundown place in the middle of nowhere. After all, his father was a colonel, with top security clearance, who completed the elite Ranger school. And his training had been in Army Intelligence. Yet, here they were.
Peyton was never allowed to ask his father anything about what he did in the army. Nor was he allowed to ever get in the way. There were many secrets that his dad couldn’t even tell his own family.
Peyton idolized his father. One day, he hoped to grow up to be just like him. His father had told him that the army may not be for everyone, but after what happened on 9/11, somebody had to help keep the country safe.
Peyton finds two friends. Gill is the son of the base’s motor pool sergeant, and Dave’s father is the base chaplain. Together they decide to train like Rangers, and search for some kind of mission they could do. Little did they know that a mission was about to put the boys right in the crosshairs of a dangerous terrorist plot, when a secret weapon would be delivered to the base on its way across the country.
There was no way Peyton could tell his father what he knew. After all, it could cost him his job. Peyton, Gill, and Dave have to take matters into their own hands, and they do.
Will the terrorists find out who is trying to expose their evil plan? Will the boys be able to stop them? And what will happen to Peyton’s father when the general finds out what the boys did?
“When the Lights go Out.” A story for kids, and their parents, so we never forget 9/11.
Get a copy for your young reader today!
Updated for 9/11/2016
From Focus on the Family
Some dates burn deeply into our collective memory forever. I will never forget where I was and what I was doing on September 11, 2001. You probably know the same. Your children, quite possibly, were not yet born before 9/11, and you will have to explain that famous date to them at an appropriate time. They need your explanation of this shocking and tragic even in America.
Max Elliot Anderson has dedicated his latest adventure fiction, When the Lights Go Out (Comfort Publishing, 2012), to “the memory of 9/11 and the people who lost their lives that day, so we never forget.” Anderson has written numerous adventure books geared for eight-to thirteen-year-old boys.
Peyton Aldrich, the central character, is the son of a US Army colonel who specializes in intelligence. Colonel Aldrich’s top-secret work leaves young Peyton curious yet proud of his father who was recently stationed at a new army base in the middle of nowhere along with his family. The colonel has an important job protecting the country from terrorists. When Peyton and his friends accidentally discover a dangerous plot on the base, they determine to stop it. Will the terrorists catch them? What will happen if the evil plan succeeds? This fast-paced story lives up to Anderson’s previous books. It will hold young readers’ attention right up to the surprise ending.
Video When the Lights Go Out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfSEkGN5q0U&feature
Marilyn Rockett is Editor in Chief of Homeschooling Today Magazine
Posted on Facebook
"My 12 yo son has read this three times... My 10 yo son was finally able to get it away from him to read it himself. He declared it the best book ever! :) Thank you!"
I want to make sure you are aware of a book, When The Lights Go Out, especially with what is now in the news daily about terrorist threats. This is an adventure / mystery for readers 8 - 13 with a terrorist plot.
In the story, the father of the main character is able to tell his kids why he joined the army instead of going into business. He says, "After what happened on 9/11, somebody had to help keep the country safe." This opens a short discussion with his two children in which he briefly recounts the events of that day.
I found, while speaking in schools, that many children today know little or nothing about 9/11 or why it's important to them. When The Lights Go Out will help teachers, librarians, grandparents, and parents with this issue.
Students don’t know much about it and it isn’t an important part of the curriculum. There may be pockets of areas where this isn’t true, but I’m not aware of those.
On a recent national news program, I saw some man-on-the-street interviews of young people in their late teens and early twenties. A few could explain what took place on 9/11, but sadly, most had no idea.
We can NOT allow this to continue.
Please tell as many people as possible about
When the Lights Go Out.
Video When the Lights Go Out
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfSEkGN5q0U&feature
Max Elliot Anderson
Video Book Trailer
Thursday, September 01, 2016
Max Elliot Anderson Publishes New Middle Grade Children’s Adventure
NEWSRelease
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Max Elliot Anderson
Email: mander8813@aol.com
Author Max Elliot Anderson has published his latest children’s adventure, This Property is Condemned. This is book #4 in the new Sam Cooper Adventure Series from Elk Lake Publishing. Earlier titles in the Sam Cooper Series include Lost Island Smugglers, Captain Jack’s Treasure, and River Rampage.
“A traditional series is a departure for my writing,” Anderson said, “because all of my previous books have had completely different characters and settings.” Other titles to be released in this series include At The Buzzer and Ghosts in The Old Attic.
A sign outside the old Remmington Mansion read, “This Property is Condemned.” Sam Cooper couldn’t figure out exactly what that meant. Even after his father explained it, he became more puzzled than ever. So, along with his friends, Tony and Tyler, he set out to solve the mystery.
At first, Sam thought the spooky-looking place was abandoned. But, when the boys went to investigate, a curtain moved, and they discovered old Mrs. Remmington still lived in the crumbling house.
Sam was the kind of person who would try to right any wrong, or help anyone who was in trouble. And Mrs. Remmington was in a lot of it.
So, he organized the whole town to go out and fix the place up like new. But that’s when his problems really began.
Why did those men try to scare the old woman into moving? And, why were they threatening Sam and his friends?
No matter what it took, Sam was determined to find out.
This Property is Condemned is a story with danger, excitement, and heart-pounding action for readers 8 - 13.
Author Bill Myers reports, "Sam Cooper Adventures are like good, family movies . . . as an ordinary kid finds himself in exciting and extra-ordinary adventures!"
And author Jerry B. Jenkins adds, "Max Elliot Anderson brings a lifetime of dramatic film and video production to the pages of his action adventures and mysteries."
Young readers report that reading one of Anderson’s action-adventures or mysteries is like being in an exciting or scary movie. His Books for Boys blog often ranks in the top ten in Google searches. http://booksandboys.blogspot.com
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