Tuesday, December 06, 2016

Give The Gift Of Reading




This Christmas, in addition to the toys, computer games, electronics, and other great gifts you have planned for the middle graders on your list, why not also give the gift of reading?

Sure, those other presents will be appreciated, but most of them will also soon be forgotten. Not so with an exciting action-adventure or mystery by Max Elliot Anderson.

You have over 20 different titles to choose from on Amazon. Find them all at:

Order yours today and give the gift of reading to someone on your list ages 8 - 13.



The Accidental Adventure Series has been released in time for Christmas. These books carry the $5.99 and $2.99 prices. 

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


Information on this sheet is incorrect. Correct 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  

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

The Cat Burglars - NEW Middle Grade fiction

This is book # 1 in the new Accidental Adventures Series

The Cat Burglars
Synopsis_________________________________

The Cat Burglars

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


Kurt Benson could hardly believe there had been a burglary, and right in his own neighborhood. He was helping out his friend, Riley Pletcher, whose parents owned Pletcher’s Bed and Biscuit Kennels.
Kurt thought it was odd that his neighbor’s cat, Buffy, had been staying at the kennel while the family was away on vacation. But, when he found out the houses of at least four other Pletcher’s customers had also been hit, his head started spinning.
That was before he saw the copier repairman do something odd. When he thought no one could see him, the man took a sheet of paper from a clipboard on the wall, made a copy, and quickly returned the clipboard to its hook.
Was it possible the repairman had something to do with all those burglaries?
Were they getting ready to strike again?

Wednesday, November 23, 2016

NEW #MiddleGrade Adventure - Danger Mountain

Danger Mountain
Synopsis_________________________________

Danger Mountain

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

Kurt Benson’s cousin Dillon lived at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. Dillon McDonald’s father owned an outfitter’s shop in the village there. One day Dillon hoped to work for a mountain rescue team. But for now, he and his friends Pete and Wayne were planning their first practice hike. It was only supposed to be for a short distance, and then they’d return the same day. Kurt was coming to Colorado with his father on a business trip.
Dillon’s father had often warned him to stay away from Danger Mountain. That’s because climbers would hike toward it, but never return.
Just before the boys left the outfitter shop, even before sunup on the day of their first mountain hike, a strange group of men started out ahead of them. Dillon’s father had rented the men almost everything except the mules. Kurt hoped he wasn’t about to get into another accidental adventure, but was he ever wrong!

Early into their hike, the boys left the main trail so they could get a glimpse of Danger Mountain. And that’s when they saw some of those same men chasing another man up to the edge of a cliff. A shot rang out, and the man went over the side.

Saturday, November 19, 2016

Reviews for The Sam Cooper and The Accidental Adventures series

Max Elliot Anderson

Anyone who knows me or reads my blog posts knows I read a lot of books for kids.

I've read several books by Max Elliot Anderson in the past. Recently I read three more and enjoyed them a lot.

Those books are: Lost Island Smugglers, which is a Sam Cooper Adventure, and both The Cat Burglars and Funny Money. The last two are part of another series, The Accidental Adventures of Kurt Benson and His Friends, Riley and Jordan. (That series name is a VERY long subtitle!)

Anderson writes just the sort of stories boys, even reluctant readers, will love!  His books aren't long, each one is full of exciting adventures, and the characters are realistic.  Of course lots of girls will enjoy reading them, too.

In some ways these books are similar to classic series like The Hardy Boysmysteries, but they take place in modern times. And, unlike some of the classic adventure series for kids, it's believable that the kids in his series get into the scary situations and are able to handle them.

Anderson has written about two dozen books for kids and I expect to read more of them in the future.

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?

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. 
We stayed overnight in the Mark Twain Hotel so we could visit the Caterpillar Visitor's Center the next morning. I highly recommend it if you're ever in the area.
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