What I Really Want To Read

I can read these old books any time. 

What I really want is to get my little paws on this new one that just came out this week.

https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B002BLP3EE  

If You Can Read...

If you can read, and you like dogs, you’re gonna love “Best Dog Ever,” a new book from Chicken Soup for the Soul. It came out yesterday!

https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B002BLP3EE  

One Gallon Dog in a Ten Gallon Hat

I may be a one gallon dog in a ten gallon hat, but I know a good book when I see one. And “Best Dog Ever” from Chicken Soup for the Soul is a good book. Now…if I could ONLY see out of this hat!

https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B002BLP3EE  

Best Thing About Fall & and Best Dog Ever

 Best thing about fall is college football...

...Oh, and this new book coming out tomorrow, Best Dog Ever from Chicken Soup for the Soul. My cousin, a Boxer named Blitz, has a story in it.

https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B002BLP3EE  

The Tommy John Story

A few days ago, I posted about Tommy John, and the connection I had with him through the production and distribution of a film telling his remarkable story.

Sadly, his health battles ended earlier today.

News Report From Earlier Today

https://www.tmz.com/2026/08/16/tommy-john-dead/ 

I have a story included in this book coming out on August 18

I’m privileged to have a story included in this book about a purebred boxer of my childhood that was stolen. Authorities told us, based on his battered, emaciated condition, Blitz likely traveled hundreds of miles just to get back home. “Best Dog Ever” on sale August 18 from Chicken Soup for the Soul.

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B002BLP3EE

Tommy John

I had the opportunity to distribute his film, "The Tommy John Story", shortly after his historic surgery. Tommy also spoke in our church one Sunday night. I was impressed that he was a man of courage and faith. Tommy John is one of the good ones. 

This link is to a TMZ article, BASEBALL ICON TOMMY JOHN BIDS FAREWELL TO FANS IN LETTER AMID HEALTH BATTLE 

https://www.tmz.com/2026/08/08/tommy-john-says-goodbye-to-fans-amid-hospice-care/ 

So far it’s working!

So far it’s working! No squirrel pirates have robbed any more tomatoes from our garden, the past two days, since putting a pan of water out for them. And we’re finally expecting rain this weekend.                                                                Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B002BLP3EE 

Bandits! That’s what I call them. Bandits!

Bandits! That’s what I call them. Bandits! Sure, it’s been incredibly dry in Northern Illinois lately. And we have a lot of squirrels in our backyard. 

Recently these little varmints have been scaling the fence around our garden, by crawling up the support poles...

...in order to steal green or ripe tomatoes. So far, I think they’ve eaten more of them than we have. 

The worst part is, they just take a few bites and leave the rest. I can only conclude they’re looking for a source of liquid. Come on rain! 

For now I put out some water in a pan for them. 

And look what I see out my window.

Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B002BLP3EE 

Will You Face Struggling, Reluctant Readers Again In Your Classroom?

I grew up as a struggling, reluctant reader myself. This year, you might want to do what this teacher did concerning books her students were excited to read. She writes:

Dear Teacher,

   My name is Sandra Stiles. I am a middle school Language Arts teacher in Bradenton, Florida. I have always had a passion for reading. That passion doesn’t always transfer to your own children. My daughter was a struggling reader. It took another teacher to introduce her to an author whose books she devoured.  

    I am here to tell you about that author who has my students reading and fighting over his books.  Max Elliot Anderson has been one of my favorite authors for several years. Not only do I love his books, but my students love them as well.  I have three classes of students who have a remedial reading class, then they come to me for Language Arts.  

     When I did my first book pass with my students I made sure to have one of Max’s books in each pile to introduce them to his books. Both boys and girls love his books. Almost all of his books are not only filled with adventure, but also mystery. 

     One of my lowest readers has made it a goal to read all of Max’s books I have on my shelves. He has read eight books so far. The really cool part is that he started talking to some of the girls in the class. Now he has them reading them, too.

     Max has two major series, “The Sam Cooper” series and “The Accidental Adventures” series.  Both of these have characters that all kids - boys and girls alike - will love. There are also several standalone titles.

     I can’t say enough about his books.  I highly recommend them to classrooms everywhere.

Sandra Stiles - NBCT - ELA teacher/Dept. Chair

These books are readily available on this Amazon Author’s Page

https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B002BLP3EE 

Wildfire Smoke

Air "quality," due to the smoke from #wildfires, is very poor today in Northern Illinois. This picture shows houses just across our street.

Best Dog Ever

I’ve been informed my story, Blitz's Epic Journey, will be included in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Best Dog Ever which goes on sale at retailers August 18, 2026.

This true story comes from back when I was just a kid and our prized, purebred Boxer was stolen. Missing for many months, and then finding his way home, it’s an incredible story every dog lover will love and appreciate.

Just One More of Spring's Many, Marvelous Miracles

 This year, we had the opportunity to observe something too many of us take for granted. We first noticed it with the arrival of a pair of robins just outside out living room window.

It began with the intricate design of a beautifully engineered nest.

At first it appeared as if the birds had abandoned the project because we didn't see them for several days. But later, I raised my camera up above the nest and took this picture.

After that, the birds took turns constantly sitting on the nest until...

It was at this time the parents became extremely vigilant and protective of their nest.

It wasn't long before they fed their young constantly. Which is why the little ones soon looked like they were about ready to leave the nest.

The next thing I knew was when one of the babies stared at me, through the window, as if to ask, "What're YOU lookin' at?"

Finally they were on their own to discover a bright new world.

What a miracle of creation!

Amazon Author's Page Adventures & Mysteries for kids: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B002BLP3EE 

With 2 of my own granddaughters now teenagers, this book becomes more important every day!

REVIEW:  Tracy’s Choices by Max Elliot Anderson is a powerful, sobering nonfiction account (sometimes described with semi-autobiographical or journal-like elements) that follows the real-life story of Tracy Eichman, the first person in Illinois convicted and imprisoned for knowingly attempting to transmit HIV/AIDS. 

The book traces Tracy’s path from a seemingly ordinary middle-class upbringing in Rockford, Illinois, through a series of increasingly destructive choices. It begins with early alcohol use, escalates to peer-pressured drug experimentation in high school (marijuana, pills, then harder substances like heroin and cocaine), leads to dropping out of school, street life as a prostitute to fund her addiction, involvement with a biker gang, repeated arrests, abuse, and eventually the devastating impact of AIDS. 

Anderson doesn’t sensationalize the story for shock value. Instead, he presents it straightforwardly and factually, interspersing details of Tracy’s experiences with broader information on the realities of addiction, risky behaviors, and their consequences. The narrative highlights how small, seemingly harmless decisions compound over time, leading to profound personal and physical destruction. It’s a stark warning rather than entertainment. 

A turning point comes through her arrest by Lt. Jim Mays, a Christian officer whose compassion and faith play a key role in Tracy’s conversion. She finds redemption, forgiveness, and purpose in her later years—reaching out to warn other young people—despite the irreversible toll of her earlier choices and health struggles. The Governor eventually grants her a pardon so she can return home, and the story underscores themes of grace, responsibility (“You are Responsible for You”), and the possibility of transformation even amid tragedy. 

Strengths

• Relevance and Impact: This is essential reading for teens and young adults. It directly confronts drugs, alcohol, promiscuity, and their life-altering (or life-ending) effects without preachiness. The Christian message of redemption emerges naturally from Tracy’s encounter with faith and community support.
• Honesty: Reviewers note it pulls no punches on the grim realities (addiction’s grip, health decline from AIDS, trauma) while keeping language and descriptions appropriate—clean, factual, and suitable for its target audience. 
• Purpose-Driven: Anderson, primarily known for clean middle-grade adventures and mysteries aimed at reluctant readers (especially boys), steps into heavier territory here to equip young people with foresight before critical life choices solidify. 

Overall Recommendation

4 out of 5 stars. Tracy’s Choices is a convicting, compassionate, and ultimately hopeful book. It’s not light reading, but that’s precisely its strength. In an era when some downplay the risks of substance use or casual sex, Tracy’s unfiltered story serves as a compelling cautionary tale. Parents, youth leaders, educators, and teens themselves would benefit from it. It drives home that while bad influences exist, personal responsibility and the offer of redemption remain central. Highly recommended for its intended audience as a tool for wise decision-making.

Amazon Link:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/0938447173 

Use AI to search for authors or books for your children

Have you used AI to search for authors or books for your children? My favorite is Grok, but there are several available. Even Google has an AI option connected to their normal search bar. Simply type in - Tell me about author Max Elliot Anderson - and see what happens.

Back Yard Surprise

Here’s a little nature story for your Monday afternoon. We have a tree in our back yard that surprises me every spring when it comes back to life. That’s because rodents are all the time going inside the trunk, which is all rotted out, and scratching more of it out. We had a wind storm and rain earlier, so I went out to pick up sticks from our other trees. I noticed a clump of leave in the trunk of this one, put my gloved hand in there, and something gray jumped a little, kind of like you would do if you were poked unexpectedly. Turns out there’s a squirrel nest in there, that grey blob is the mother, and soon, if not already, there will be a litter of babies in there, too.

That grey blob is the mother squirrel

Bird VS Window

It’s not unusual for a #bird to crash into our sliding door in the den, even though we have things on the glass to help them see it isn’t open. A few days ago, this little guy slammed into the door, bounced off, and lay motionless on the patio. I went out and picked him up, not knowing if he was alive or not. He was still struggling to breath and both eyes were closed. I took him inside and held him for several minutes. First he opened one eye, and later the second. When it was clear he was coming back around, I took him out and let him go. Others have hit that door and not been so lucky.

April is #NationalHumorMonth

April is NationalHumorMonth in the US. It’s an annual observance that runs the entire month of April, kicking off on April 1 (April Fools’ Day). It was founded in 1976 by humorist Larry Wilde to highlight the positive effects of laughter and #humor on health and well-being. 

Start your celebration with “The Sense of Humor” - Let Humor Fast Track You to Healthier, Happier Living

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1942513976 

“Shadow” by Max Elliot Anderson – A Heart-Pounding Boy-and-His-Dog Adventure That Delivers Thrills and Heart

Max Elliot Anderson has done it again with Shadow, a gripping middle-grade mystery and adventure that feels like a cinematic ride from start to finish. If you've ever loved classic tales like Old Yeller or Where the Red Fern Grows, but crave more action, suspense, and modern twists, this book is a perfect fit—especially for reluctant readers aged 8–13 (boys and girls alike).

The story centers on Bobby Taylor, a boy who's dreamed of having his own dog for as long as he can remember. When he spots a neglected, pitiful dog chained in the backyard of a rundown house on his way to school, he quietly "adopts" the animal in his heart, naming him Shadow. What starts as a simple act of kindness quickly spirals into something far more dangerous. Shadow isn't just any dog—he's tied to secrets, threats, and a web of mystery that pulls Bobby into high-stakes trouble involving danger, twists, and unexpected alliances.

Anderson's signature style shines here: fast-paced chapters, vivid "movie-like" scenes, and cliffhangers that make it nearly impossible to put down. The narrative moves briskly (around 200 pages), blending heartwarming moments of the boy-and-his-dog bond with genuine peril and clever plot turns. Young readers will root for Bobby's courage and resourcefulness while feeling the emotional pull of his connection to Shadow.

What I appreciated most:

• The authentic portrayal of a kid's longing for a pet and the lengths he'll go to protect one.
• Clean, wholesome excitement—no heavy language or mature themes, making it ideal for family reading or classroom use.
• A satisfying mix of adventure, mystery, and emotional depth that leaves you cheering by the end.

If you're looking for a book that hooks reluctant readers with nonstop action while sneaking in themes of loyalty, compassion, and bravery, Shadow delivers. Five stars from me—highly recommended for tweens, dog lovers, and anyone who enjoys a thrilling, feel-good story with real heart.

Whether you're a parent hunting for engaging reads or a young reader tired of slow plots, grab this one. Max Elliot Anderson continues to prove why his action-adventures stand out in the middle-grade world. 

Amazon: 

https://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Max-Elliot-Anderson/dp/1649494823/ref=sr_1_2?crid=LEMCZ65QH9J8&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.GH7n5LCsEL4p2nlKEhbzn9zL6W3syyZON8FFpqeU-wg.EEWyWjZmWYeGClJhqzOGpgnuG2oXeWIpQy7EqG5dsko&dib_tag=se&keywords=max+elliot+anderson,+shadow&qid=1770398697&sprefix=,aps,135&sr=8-2