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.