Instructions & Rules
By entering this contest, you agree that we may use your comments and your name.
Entries will be accepted until December 5 at 12:00 noon, 2007.
Max Elliot Anderson will determine the winners.
Winners names and their comments may be published on the blog, Books for Boys, or used in any other form of marketing or promotion.
Comments must be made in the comment section on this blog, or emailed to maxbooks1@aol.com These are the ONLY 2 places where your entry will be accepted.
Enter by answering the following question: "I think action-adventures or mysteries, written especially for boys, are important because..."
Entries can be no longer than 3 paragraphs. You may use your own personal experiences, or something that relates to one or more of your children, your school, church, homeschool, or other setting.
Only one entry per person.
In the event that you are one of the 3 winners, make sure to include your email address so we can request a shipping address from you at the end of the contest. I will sign all copies for the winners.
1st place will win 5 titles of my choosing, signed
2nd place will win 3 titles of my choosing, signed
3rd place will win 2 titles of my choosing, signed
NEWSPAPER CAPER, TERROR AT WOLF LAKE, NORTH WOODS POACHERS, MOUNTAIN CABIN MYSTERY, BIG RIG RUSTLERS, SECRET OF ABBOTT'S CAVE & LEGEND OF THE WHITE WOLF, are compared by readers and reviewers to Tom Sawyer, The Hardy Boys, Huck Finn, Nancy Drew, Tom Swift, Scooby-Doo, Lemony Snicket, and adventure author Jack London.
Best wishes on your entry!
Max Elliot Anderson
Posts
7 comments:
I think action-adventures or mysteries, written especially for boys, are important because...
Boys typically don't like to read. Most of my male students (7th grade) hate to read because nothing interests them. Many of them comment that the stories are too fluffy or girly and they can't seem to relate to them.
In addition, there are a plethora of older books written for boys because of our gender biased society. Now, as new authors emerge who direct their books to minorities and girls (don't get me wrong, this is a wonderful thing) the books for boys have lost the spotlight. Our school library section pointing to interesting books is relatively devoid of books for boys.
There is a need to engage boys in reading. Thank you for filling that need.
"I think action-adventures or mysteries, written especially for boys, are important because..."
Girls typically pick up reading faster than boys. By the time they are reading chapter books, most boys are still struggling with the basics. If a boy already feels like he is behind, and everything he reads is aimed toward girls, there is no desire to continue.
Finding a book that is easy to read without the "see Dick run" mentality AND finding it full of clean action and adventure that boys crave is like finding a gold mine.
As a children's author and mother to four boys,I can attest to the fact that if a book gets their attention, they will want to read. It gives them a gentle push in the right direction without their even realizing it.
Thanks for what you do Max!
Paula
paulajmiller1@yahoo.com
I think action-adventures or mysteries, written especially for boys, are important because...
Even if a boy likes to read, most books are geared to appeal to both genders, so they are not full of as much action-adventure like a boy would appreciate.
Boys, like digging in dirt, finding frogs,finding rare treasures, etc. They need books designed to appeal to what they like, plus have a great message to inspire them.
They need to be encouraged with words that uplift and motivate them to be boys who turn into great men.
I think action-adventures or mysteries, written especially for boys, are important because...
Boys are typically more prone to school disengagement. I work as a school counselor and one of the issues I deal with almost every day are boys who are unmotivated and uninterested in school. "Reading is for girls and adults." I tell them about the books I've read (I often read kids books just to stay current), and they tell me things like, "Of course you think it's interesting, you're an adult."
If the book they've been given to read in class doesn't help them right now, they're not going to read it. If it doesn't excite them in the first two pages, they're not going to read it.
Boys need emotional and relationship training, and many books are written to evoke emotion in the reader. But boys will not read a book that is too emotional and focuses too much on relationships. Boys want books about boy things: violence, gross substances, excitement, cars.
Thanks, Max for commenting on my blog. I am so thrilled that my 12 yo son has finally found the magic of books. Thanks also for informing me of your books. We will definitly take a look at them.
He was forced to start reading in 1st grade in public school. After much reading on the subject of books and boys, I decided, when homeschooling him, that I would just read to him. After 4 years, he has finally picked up a book because he WANTS to. Yeah !
Linda
As a boy, growing up in a household of four women and no men, it was hard for me to discover my own identity. My mother dated dead beats, drug addicts, alcoholics, and was often emotionally unstable. My aunt was diagnosed as mentally ill, and had daily outbursts. My Grandmother withdrew from life by hiding in her room. And my sister went on the wild side by chasing after the world.
One thing I can say for my family is that they loved books. Stories were read to me from an early age.
They provided a kind of escape from the daily insanity I faced. Unlike drugs and other methods, it proved to be a healthy diversion.
Stories helped me to see beyond the world I was in. They showed me moral objections, obstacles to overcome and positive examples. They engaged both my mind and imagination as I traveled the path of discovering my identity. Without them, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
I think action-adventures or mysteries, written especially for boys, are important because...
Boys won't enjoy reading unless they find the story engaging and interesting. In this fast-paced world they are used to quick transitions from one activity to another. If we want to keep them reading instead of turning to the next craze in videos or games, they have to be so involved in the story that they can't pull themselves away.
As the mother of three boys, I saw the wonder of this in action! The only books that held my sons' interest for the length of time it takes to read a book were those stories that were so jam-packed with action that my boys' couldn't put them down.
It's hard to find those kinds of action-adventure and mystery books. (Unless you search out Max's books, of course!)
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