Two New Books For Boys

When my son, Jim, was growing, up, he became interested in any sport that included a ball, a puck, or an athlete. In other words, he was consumed with sports. He's # 25 on the left of this picture. Jim would have loved these books, I’m sure.

I’m happy anytime I find books that will appeal to boys, especially reluctant readers, since that's where my books are focused. Author Fred Bowen is writing just such books, published by Peachtree Publishers in Atlanta, Georgia.

From his website at http://www.fredbowen.com/home.htm you can find a lot more background information about this author. He writes, “I'm Fred Bowen. I write sports fiction for kids 8 years old and up, and a weekly sports column for kids in The Washington Post. My two newest books are Touchdown Trouble (August 2009) and Soccer Team Upset (August 2009). And I have three more books coming out next spring. Two more are in the Fred Bowen Sports Story series.”
Here is a brief synopsis from each book, again taken from Mr. Bowen's site.

Touchdown Trouble

The StorySam loves playing for the Cowboys. His teammates always pull together and play to win. Their effort pays off big-time when they beat their arch rival in a hard-fought game. But their celebration doesn’t last long. Sam makes a discovery that threatens their victory and their team spirit. Can Sam keep the Cowboys together or will his discovery destroy the team?

Soccer Team Upset

The StoryIt is just the beginning of the soccer season, but Tyler is pumped. His team is stacked with awesome players and they have a real shot at being league champions. When a couple of the stars consider leaving to play on a travel team, Tyler is furious. Then he finds out that star-power isn’t the only way to win games.

These new books will interest reluctant readers, avid readers, boys and girls. If you have a sports nut in your house, like I did, I’m sure the books will score points big time.

Nice Job, Fred.

My Article On Crosswalk.com - Help For Struggling, Reluctant Readers

If you'd like to read my article, Help For Struggling, Reluctant Readers, you can find it on Crosswalk dit com at http://www.crosswalk.com/homeschool/11610318/

Max Elliot Anderson

Speaking About Books For Boys

This past Saturday, I had the opportunity to speak to over 100 people who had gathered at the Crystal Lake Evangelical Free Church in Crystal Lake, Illinois. They came there to learn how to better reach out to kids. Each person was connected, in one way or another, to an organization called Awana http://www.awana.org

I had been invited for two reasons. Our two adult children had been involved in Awana when they were little. But there was something else. An Awana leader at Winnetka Bible Church, in Winnetka, Illinois, had been reading my action-adventure & mystery books, out loud, in his club. Each week he’d read a couple of chapters. This helped to keep the attention of the kids, and it resulted in making sure they arrived on time, so they wouldn’t miss any of the story each week.
After he'd finished reading all of the books to his clubbers, he asked if I had anything more. So I sent him one of my unpublished manuscripts called Whispers In The Graveyard. The story takes place in Chicago.

It was a great day with the people from Awana, and several were interested in knowing more about my books.

My Wrestle With The Reluctant Reader

This article captures much of the same journey that I've experienced - minus the music career -as I began writing action-adventures & mysteries, especially for boys. In my case, too, girls like these books.

Not long ago, I also reviewed one of the author's books on this blog, "Captain Nobody."

Here's a link to the article:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/21/my-wrestle-with-the-reluc_n_327263.html

Max Elliot Anderson

Winter's Tail, How One Little Dolphin Learned to Swim Again

Winter's Tail, How One Little Dolphin Learned to Swim Again, is the fascinating, true story of a little dolphin that got herself tangled in the ropes of a crab trap. As a result, her tail came off. At first, a fisherman cut the ropes loose, and then Winter was rescued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

This book is filled with photographs that document Winter's progress as she is fitted with a new tail, and learns to swim again. Now she is helping children and adults, who have also lost limbs. Her story brings a new understanding to the challenges they face, and special relationships are formed.

Winter's Tail is one of several books from Scholastic that tell stories of animals, from all over the world, facing difficulties.

I plan to give this book to my daughter who teaches second grade in a Florida school. Dolphins are some of her favorite animals.

You can also find a web site about Winter at http://www.winterstail.com/

Help for The Struggling, Reluctant Reader,

Since it was published earlier this month, my article, Help for The Struggling, Reluctant Reader, has been generating a lot of interest, including requests for reprint rights.

If you’d like to have a copy, just email me at mander8813@aol.com and I’ll be happy to email it to you.

Max Elliot Anderson

A Boy's Review Of A Book For Boys

Okay, I write books for boys. And this blog is dedicated to the subject of books for boys. So you can appreciate how great it is to get comments and reviews for my books from boys.

At the present time, “Terror At Wolf Lake,” is out of print. The publisher has plans to reprint it in the future. But I hope you’ll enjoy this review from Alex Kent.

Thank you Alex!

BOOK REVIEW: Terror At Wolf Lake

Author: Max Elliot Anderson

By: Alex KentSeptember 29, 2009

I was given Max Elliot Anderson’s books personally signed by him to me. My mom told Mr. Anderson that I couldn’t find any interesting boy books to read and she would help market his books if I would read them. I have several of his books that I do enjoy reading because they are about boys like me doing things that I like to do. This book, Terror At Wolf Lake actually happened at Wolf Lake, Michigan.

Eddy Thompson is a kid in the forth grade and he cheats on everything like games, tests, schoolwork, and everything. Eddy’s father decides to take Eddy and his two best friends, Chet and Rusty, and their fathers to a cabin in the woods at Wolf Lake, Michigan, for an ice fishing vacation during their Christmas break.

While there, Eddy and his friends heard and saw some men hide money they had stolen from a bank. Eddy discovered that honesty is the best no matter what. He learned that being honest would be the best in any situation and when he went back to school, he even told his teacher that he had cheated on a test and asked to take it over and do extra work to make up for his dishonesty. This story is about being honest. I enjoyed Terror At Wolf Lake because of the action and mystery. I felt scared when they were scared and felt good when they told the truth. I think boys would like it a lot.

Help For The Reluctant Reader

Ive already received three requests to reprint my article, "Help for The Reluctant Reader."

This article is in the October issue of Knowonder Magazine. The magazine is published in print and in an electronic version. The electronic issue is available at
http://www.knowonder.com/magazine/october/
You can flip through the electronic version of the magazine, to the "For You by You" section. The article starts on page 116 to 118.

Chapter 1, from my tween book, “Legend of The White Wolf,” will be published in their November issue.

We can all agree that reading is the foundation of learning and education. After all, readers are the leaders others follow.

Max Elliot Anderson

A New Term To Me

This is a new one for me, and I thought you might find it interesting too. They're called "free-Range" kids. VERY interesting.

http://www.ajc.com/lifestyle/free-range-parents-loosen-153250.html

Max Elliot Anderson

My article in Knowonder Magazine

There's an article that I wrote for the magazine, Knowonder. This magazine is published in print and in an electronic version. The electronic issue is available at

http://www.knowonder.com/magazine/october/

The article title is "Help for Reluctant Readers.”

Flip through the electronic version of the magazine, to the "For You by You" section. The article starts on page 116 to 118.

Chapter 1, from my tween book, “Legend of The White Wolf,” will be published in their November issue.

Max Elliot Anderson

New Interview About Books for Boys

Here's the link to a new interview, about my books for boys, that you might enjoy reading.

http://www.therehastobeabeginning.blogspot.com/

If you leave a comment on the site of the interview, you might win a copy of Legend of The White Wolf.

Thank you,

Max Elliot Anderson

Get The Kids Outside To Play...With Books!

Here's a link to a site that might interest you and your children. It's especially useful for homeschool families. Project P L A Y http://www.projectplaybooks.com/ has created books that encourage children to get outside and play.

Treasure Hunt

A fun trip through Sam’s house, hunting for clues and finding the hidden treasure. Kids will enjoy looking for the clues on each page. The book also comes with clues the parents and children can use to create their own treasure hunts.

Follow the Leader

Follow Sam through Edgebrook as he picks up his pals and entertains the gang on a rainy day. Kids will pick up tips for playing the game of Follow the Leader with their friends.

Just a Baseball Game

Sam and his friends deal with the reality of bad sportsmanship by sticking together. This book will teach us all to be good sports and to enjoy “just playing ball.” The book comes with baseball cards for all the characters.

Kick the Can

Play this timeless game with the kids of Edgebrook at their neighborhood block party. The book comes with the rules of the game and the inspiration for your kids to get out and play.

Coming Soon!

Ghosts in the Graveyard, Hand Jive & Scavenger Hunt

"Project Play began by advertising agency owner Marlene Byrne as she pondered the fading popularity of backyard games like “kick the can” and “ghosts in the graveyard.” After watching as her own children’s lives became consumed by electronic models of play and organized sports, Byrne decided to use books and stories to inspire kids to get out in the backyard, where creativity is born."

"The series debuted in the fall of 2008, where it has since been featured in both local and national publications. Each book features a different backyard game, is beautifully illustrated and inspires young readers to follow the lead of the Edgebrook gang as they use their imaginations to have fun."

So, pick up these books, and have them ready for the next time you hear somone say, "I'm bored!"

Max Elliot Anderson

Author

Books for Boys

http://booksandboys.blogspot.com/

Using Buddy Reading With Struggling Readers

If you've been around this blog for any amount of time, you already know that I'm interested in promoting creative ways to help interest kids in reading. When I find one, that information is posted here.

I hope you'll check out the article, "Using Buddy Reading With Struggling Readers," written by Margo Dill, which you can find at the link below: http://www.brighthub.com/education/special/articles/41319.aspx

Thank you for you continued interest in helping struggling and reluctant readers. Toward the end of September, or the very first of October, I'll be posting information about a new, magazine article I've written on this very important topic.

Until then, I hope you find Margo's article helpful.

Max Elliot Aderson

A Fun Book For Boys

You might be interested in a new e-book by Stuart Fish called

"Answers to 350 Quirky Questions that your kids will ask you one day".

I could see this book being of value in the classroom, in homeschool settings, or as something fun for anyone who enjoys trivia.

Here are just a few examples:

Q: When do I grow fastest?
A: In the springtime, just like plants and trees.

Q: Why are babies’ legs so floppy when they are born?
A: Babies are born without kneecaps. Well, not quite true – Babies’
kneecaps are made of cartilage, which is softer and only grow into
bone at about 3 years old.

Q: How long can an olive tree live for
A: Up to 1500 years

Q: What are the five continents?
A: They are : The Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia and Oceania.

The book is broken down as follows:

Quirky Questions about:
My Body pg 3
Animals and Insects pg 11
Vehicles and Transport pg 35
The Universe pg 37
Earth, Nature and the Environment pg 39
At Home and at School pg 44
Science pg 45
Food & Drink pg 47
Music pg 51
Buildings and Structures pg 53
Sport and Health pg 54
Games and Toys pg 56
Countries pg 57
Movies, TV and Cartoon Characters pg 65
Crazy Stuff pg 67

It’s clear that “Answers to 350 Quirky Questions” will be of interest to “kids” of any age.

Find ort more about this new book at:

http://www.stuartfish.com/4yourchild_quirkyquestions_index.html

DC crowd estimated at 2 million

DC crowd estimated at 2 million
http://michellemalkin.com/2009/09/12/celebrating-the-912-rallies

Exciting Books and Workbooks for Your Reading Program

Are you looking for a reading program that will excite your struggling, reluctant, and proficient readers, all at the same time? Then the action-adventure & mystery books by Max Elliot Anderson could be exactly what you’re looking for…especially for the boys in your classroom.

Children report that reading one of these books is like being in an exciting or scary movie.

That’s partly because Mr. Anderson has been involved in the production of films, television commercials, and video programs for his entire life.

He also grew up as a struggling, reluctant reader himself.

His books have already been used successfully with students for nearly six years.

Each book has a workbook available. In addition to a teacher’s section with all the answers, the workbook contains the following:

Chapter tests

Vocabulary lessons for each chapter

Find-a-word page for each chapter

Crossword puzzle page for each chapter

Books are available from the publisher, Amazon.com, the author, or Barnes & Noble. Libraries can order books from Baker & Taylor. (see addresses and links below)

Workbooks are available only from the publisher (see addresses and links below)

NORTH WOODS POACHERS $10.95 0-9729256-8-6
The Washburn families have been coming to the same cabins, on the same lake, catching the same fish, for about as long as Andy can remember. And he's sick of it. This summer would be different he decided. Only he never imagined how different. The story is filled with excitement, danger, humor, and drama. In the end, Andy learns the concepts of family tradition, that God loves justice while He hates injustice, and it is important to follow the rules. Readers will enjoy the gigantic, jet-powered floatplane, computers, home made radio transmitter, and naturally, no one will ever forget Big Wally. He’s a fish of course.

MOUNTAIN CABIN MYSTERY $10.95 0-9729256-3-5
Scott and his friends had dreamed and prepared for their first wilderness camping adventure. When they become separated from their group in a mountain fog, trouble begins. There was that bear, the decrepit suspension bridge over a bottomless gorge, the sheer cliff in the dark, those terrorists in the remote cabin, the Army, the helicopter ride, and…
This story reminds us what happens if one of God's lambs is lost.

BIG-RIG RUSTLERS $10.95 0-9752880-1-6
Todd and Amanda live with their parents in a Midwestern city. The family doesn’t go to church. The children are invited to visit their uncle, aunt, and cousin Drew, on their Wyoming ranch over spring break. Todd learns, in a unique way, why stealing is wrong. He decides to choose a new path for his life because of his uncle’s Christian example. A band of high-tech cattle rustlers are caught, revealing that Todd was also wrong about Travis, a shadowy character.
Read about the round up, rattlesnake, and rustlers.

THE SECRET OF ABBOTT'S CAVE $10.95 0-9752880-0-8
A detective, a police scanner, and a cave offered possibilities for danger and excitement. Who are the real heroes in America? Randy and his friends pooled their resources to go cave exploring, discovered the hidden loot from a bank robbery, and learned they weren't heroes at all.

LEGEND OF THE WHITE WOLF $10.95 0-9752880-3-2
They didn’t call him a liar; they just couldn’t believe his story. Brian Fisher was determined to prove it was true even though it involved the risk to his own safety. His rescue of a wolf pup from a steel trap results in a mysterious relationship with surprising results. The story is set in the lower elevations near Yellowstone

NEWSPAPER CAPER $10.95 0-9729256-4-3

(Currently out of print - 2nd printing planned) Tom Stevens was a super salesman. He and his friends delivered newspapers early every morning. Along their route, the boys often saw some pretty strange things. Then one day they actually became the story. Readers will like the humor, attack dogs, car thieves, and the chop shop Tom and the others uncover. This story reminds us of how important friendship is. It also teaches God isn't just for emergencies. He wants to guide our lives every day.

TERROR AT WOLF LAKE $10.95 0-9729256-6-X

(Currently out of print - 2nd printing planned)
Eddy Thompson was known for one thing and one thing only. Eddy was a cheater. He cheated on anything, anytime, anywhere, until something happened up at Wolf Lake. It wasn’t the brutal cold. It wasn’t when he fell through the ice. It wasn’t even when two scary men arrived at their remote cabin. What happened would change Eddy’s life…forever. (currently out of print)

To help you decide which titles will work best for your young readers, see over 50 pages of reviews at http://maxbookreviews.blogspot.com

You already know that reading is critically important in the education of children. Now you have books available that are proven to attract young readers, and hold their attention to the very last word, on the very last page, of the very last chapter.

Each book is bigger with larger type, humor, lots of dialog, shorter sentences, and heart-pounding action. The stories include moral, character, and spiritual principles that reviewers report are not preachy, and in books that don’t talk down to the reader.

And remember, readers are the leaders others follow.

To order signed books $10.95 each plus $5 shipping/handling for up to 3 books, $10 for 4 or more books.

Max Elliot Anderson
P O Box 4126
Rockford, IL 61110

Amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=max+elliot+anderson&x=13&y=20

Baker Trittin Press books and workbooks

Baker Trittin Press
PO Box 277
Winona Lake, IN 46590
574-269-6100
paul@btconcepts.com

Be-A-Famous-Writer CONTEST at Mrs P Com

I'd like to tell you about an excellent site for children at Mrs.P .Com http://mrsp.com/

MrsP.com is a fun storybook entertainment site that celebrates reading and books. Classic children’s stories are brought to life by TV star Kathy Kinney as Mrs. P.

FREE - MrsP.com is a free, safe and secure site for children, with no ads or subscription fees.

READ ALONG OPTIONS - Ideal for beginning readers, ESL and even home-schooling.

INTERACTIVE FUN - Animated kid games and great kid activities.

KIDS VIDEOS - New, free children's stories are always being added to the Magic Library.

CONTEST! - Mrs. P’s “Be-A-Famous-Writer” Click here for details...

This is a great site for children in public schools, Christian schools, or home school.

Have fun at http://mrsp.com/

Max Elliot Anderson

Driving, Taking a Shower, or Mowing the Grass

Several months ago, I temporarily stopped writing book-length manuscripts, in order to build my platform as an author, and because I had already completed a number of action-adventure & mystery manuscripts (28 yet to be published).

It's interesting what happened next. While I was writing on a regular basis, ideas seemed to invade my mind constantly. This always happened while driving, taking a shower, or mowing the grass. After I curtailed my writing schedule, the ideas also dropped off. I should say that I also have at least 12 fully developed ideas for additional adventures & mysteries. But what has been happening lately, is that concepts for picture books have begun their invasion.

At the present time, two manuscripts from these ideas have been completed. Then, as I was mowing my grass on Saturday, the concept for a third picture book swooped down from out of nowhere. It was funny to listen later to my dictation on a small recorder that I use in these instances. In the distance, you can hear the lawn mower chugging outside while I spoke into the recorder and breathed like an Olympic distance runner.

What I take away from this experience is awe and appreciation for the creative process, especially when we recognize that it has little to do with us.

For Writers of Children's Books

Here's a link from Fightin' Bookworm that writers may find helpful.

Children's Book Publishers & Young Readers - How to Wow Them With Your Story

Children's Book Publishers & Young Readers - How to Wow Them With Your Story

Where In The World?

Today I’m sending a set of my books to a family that will be moving to China soon. The order reminded me of an email I received a few weeks ago, from Sri Lanka, from a young reader who had a copy of one of my books.

As any author will tell you, writing is such a solitary life. We get so wrapped up in our characters and their predicaments, that we sometimes forget the real world outside. Once I was talking with my older brother in California. As we ended the conversation I said, “I’d like to keep talking with you, but I left my characters on a raft, in the middle of the raging, Colorado river, so I’d better get back there and help them out.”

So it is always amazing to me when people find what we write to be interesting, entertaining, and enjoyable in their lives.

(Above is a picture of my quiet writing space.)

Even more amazing is to think that, not only are copies my books scattered across the country, they’re also finding their way into other countries. Makes me wonder how many. I know that my books are listed on Amazon in England, France, Germany, and Japan.

To anyone who has ever bought one of my books…thank you. And for those who are looking forward to more of them in the future, I hope to have some news for you about that in the next few months.

Max Elliot Anderson

PS. Authors - where are some of the places you've heard that your books have traveled?

A Fantasy Book For Boys - BRAN HAMBRIC: THE FARFIELD CURSE

Do you have a fantasy reader at your house? Then you need to know about a new book that will be released this fall,

Bran Hambric: The Farfield Curse

BRAN HAMBRIC: THE FARFIELD CURSE is the first in a series of books for children and young adults. Awake on the night of March 3, 2003, Kaleb Nation, then age fourteen, suddenly had the idea of a boy and a banker sitting on a rooftop, waiting for a burglar to come. From that image was born the story of Bran Hambric, a teen boy who was found in a bank vault when he was six years old with no memory of his past. The first novel would take most of Kaleb’s teenage years to write. In THE FARFIELD CURSE, Bran finds that he is at the center of a plot which started years before he was even born: the plot of a deadly curse his mother created that her former masters are now hunting for him to complete. The book is set for a planned release in Fall 2009.

See the video trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugLsJ72yImY

ENTER to Win!!

Pre-Order Prize Giveaway-- (US ONLY) Any person who pre-orders Bran Hambric: The Farfield Curse, and sends their e-receipt or scanned receipt to mailto:sbpublicity@sourcebooks.com.com will be entered into a drawing to win one of the following prizes:- Personalized copy of The Farfield Curse (give your copy to a friend!)- Personalized early reader copy of Book 2- Personalized Bran Hambric poster- Half Moon Necklace- Signed CD of soundtrack- $25 gift certificate to local bookstore- Kaleb Nation event at local bookstore (fall 2010)One entry per book ordered (so as many entries as books ordered). Receipts must be dated prior to pub date – September 9, 2009 and bear the subject heading “Bran Hambric Pre-Order Competition.” Winners to be announced September 30, 2009

--------------------------------------------------

WIN a Bran Hambric Half Moon Necklace & exclusive Kaleb Nation event invite! Any person who links to the book’s pages on Amazon, Barnes&Noble and Borders on their social networking accounts (ex: facebook, myspace, twitter, youtube, blogs, etc), AND posts a short opinion of the book in those locations, will receive a Bran Hambric Half Moon Necklace and will be given a secret password to participate in a Blog TV event with Kaleb, where he will reveal secrets from the next book in the Bran Hambric series! Links and reviews must be posted and the link emailed to us at sbpublicity@sourcebooks.com before September 30th and include full name & mailing address in email. Please use the subject line “Bran Hambric Sneak Peak.”

News About Sue Clark

In an email this morning from my sister...

"We have been in contact with IMB personnel in Ghana who have been wonderful about visiting Susan twice a day in the hospital in Ghana. Sue is still very weak, is undergoing testing, but has been able to breathe on her own and keep up her oxygen levels. It will be a long haul to get back on her feet (still unable to navigate on her own). Thank you so much for all your prayers. Naoma"

This will be my last update, since we now know that the recovery process will take a long time. Thank you all.

Max

Twitter, Shoutlife & Facebook

Follow me on:

Twitter: http://twitter.com/marketpl

Shoutlife: http://shoutlife.com/profile_view.cfm?uid=44873

and

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/max.e.anderson?ref=profile

Email Update Sue Clark

My sister writes this morning,

"I just talked with the missionary who visited Susan this morning along with the Christian doctor (Southern Baptist missionary doctor) who was vacationing in Accra, Ghana and volunteered to step in to help the rather excellent hospital staff and learned Sue had a restful night (sedated), the ventilator has her oxygen levels up to normal, and as soon as they determine she can breathe on her own, the tube will be removed. We need to pray for healing of her lungs because the danger can come if bacteria escapes into her blood stream. Also that her lungs won't be scarred."

Further update on Sue

My siter just emailed, "I just talked with the person in Ghana who is checking on Sue and she has taken a bad turn. Oxygen levels going down and she has to be on a respirator to help her breathe. We had been hoping to talk with her, but she didn't feel strong enough to do that. More prayer, please."

Update on Susan Clark In Africa

Word this morning from Africa is that Susan is responding well to the antibiotics and treatments and is ...ah, wonderful words, "resting comfortably." They plan to arrange for her to call later today. This has been an awesome time of helplessly trusting our Heavenly Father. Thank you for all your prayers. So meaningful to feel the warm concern of believers who are asking for healing. Don't know yet how long she'll be kept in Ghana but will let you know. Naoma Clark

Prayer for my Niece in Africa

I have a niece, Susan Clark, who is a missionary in Niger, Africa. At this moment, she is being flown by bush plane, to be transferred to a medical evacuation aircraft, and flown to Ghana. From there they plan to take her either to Germany of France for treatment. She has a respiratory illness, described as pneumonia with acute respiratory distress syndrome. She's been serving all alone at her remote location in Niger, and we're unsure about the potential outcome just now. If you think to pray for her, I would appreciate it.

NEW INTERVIEW - Books For Boys

If you're interested, there is a new interview from the Examiner at:

http://www.examiner.com/x-14422-Grand-Rapids-Christian-Fiction-Examiner~y2009m8d1-In-touch-with-author-Max-Elliott-Anderson

Thank you much!

Max

Captain Nobody

What a fun book!

Growing up in the shadow of his football-star brother, Chris, Newt Newman never felt particularly special or even noticed in his own family. When Newt’s brother is knocked into a coma during the biggest football game of the season, he is lost again in the whirlwind of concern about his sibling. With his parents otherwise focused on his older brother, Newt’s two best friends decide that celebrating Halloween is the best prescription to get his mind off the accident. By chance, they turn some of his brother’s old clothes into Newt’s best costume ever and an unexpected new identity—Captain Nobody, defender of the little guy.

When Newt dons this makeshift outfit—a tribute to his brother—he begins to feel confident and empowered. Newt decides to wear his costume past Halloween which leads his new alter ego into a series of events fostering his newfound hero status. But will Captain Nobody be able to save the one person Newt cares about most?

With CAPTAIN NOBODY, Dean Pitchford has assembled a lovable and quirky cast of characters with a perfect blend of adventure, humor and family drama. The book is for anyone who's ever felt like the "little guy" and will ultimately be inspired by an unlikely champion. CAPTAIN NOBODY is an ideal summer read for young boys in the middle-grade set.

About Dean Pitchford
Dean Pitchford, author of The Big One-Oh, starred on Broadway in Pippin and Godspell before turning to songwriting and screenwriting. His multi-million-selling songs include the Oscar-winning “Fame,” “Footloose,” “Holding Out for a Hero” and “After All.” He has been nominated for four Academy Awards, five Grammys and two Tony Awards. His stage musical adaptations of Footloose played over 700 performances on Broadway and is now being produced around the world. Pitchford, who was born in Honolulu currently lives in Los Angeles.

Readers will enjoy watching this Everyboy protagonist cast off his customary timidity…
(as) he seems to magically grow into the heroic role.
--Booklist

“…a cliffhanger! This novel will speak to those kids who feel left out…
the humor and compassion are sure to appeal to reluctant readers.”
--Kirkus Review

“Captain Nobody is truly somebody you will love spending time with.”
--Henry Winkler, author of the Hank Zipzer series

From the Oscar-winning songwriter of Fame, Footloose and author of The Big One-Oh (2007) comes Dean Pitchford’s, CAPTAIN NOBODY (Putnam; July 9, 2009; $16.99/Ages 8-12, 978-0-399-25034-7, Picture Book, Hardcover Fiction), the super-sized adventure about an overlooked, shy boy who finds the courage to help others during the most challenging time in his young life.

Summer Reading Books for Boys Special!

There is still plenty of time for summer reading.

Recently I’ve read a number of articles, online and in print, talking about beating summer boredom. Well, my action-adventures & mysteries can help you do that for your children.
Kids tell me that reading one of my books is like being in an exciting or scary movie. And the books are equally enjoyed by boys and girls.

So here’s the deal. You may purchase one or all of my books for only $8 each (regular $10.95 ea) if you mail your order between right now, and August 31, 2009. The books have larger print, lots of white space, and they’re filled with exciting stories, dialog, humor, and heart-pounding action & adventure.

I have the following titles available right now:

NEWSPAPER CAPER
NORTH WOODS POACHERS
MOUNTAIN CABIN MYSTERY
BIG RIG RUSTLERS
SECRET OF ABBOTT'S CAVE
LEGEND OF THE WHITE WOLF

These books have been compared by readers and reviewers to Tom Sawyer, The Hardy Boys, Huck Finn, Nancy Drew, Harry Potter, Tom Swift, Star Wars, Scooby-Doo, Lemony Snicket, and adventure author Jack London.

NEWSPAPER CAPER 0-9729256-4-3 Tom Stevens was a super salesman. He and his friends delivered newspapers early every morning. Along their route, the boys often saw some pretty strange things. Then one day they actually became the story. Readers will like the humor, attack dogs, car thieves, and the chop shop Tom and the others uncover. This story reminds us of how important friendship is. It also teaches God isn't just for emergencies. He wants to guide our lives every day.


NORTH WOODS POACHERS 0-9729256-8-6
The Washburn families have been coming to the same cabins, on the same lake, catching the same fish, for about as long as Andy can remember. And he's sick of it. This summer would be different he decided. Only he never imagined how different. The story is filled with excitement, danger, humor, and drama. In the end, Andy learns the concepts of family tradition, that God loves justice while He hates injustice, and it is important to follow the rules. Readers will enjoy the gigantic, jet-powered floatplane, computers, home made radio transmitter, and naturally, no one will ever forget Big Wally. He’s a fish of course.

MOUNTAIN CABIN MYSTERY 0-9729256-3-5
Scott and his friends had dreamed and prepared for their first wilderness camping adventure. When they become separated from their group in a mountain fog, trouble begins. There was that bear, the decrepit suspension bridge over a bottomless gorge, the sheer cliff in the dark, those terrorists in the remote cabin, the Army, the helicopter ride, and…
This story reminds us what happens if one of God's lambs is lost.

BIG-RIG RUSTLERS 0-9752880-1-6
Todd and Amanda live with their parents in a Midwestern city. The family doesn’t go to church. The children are invited to visit their uncle, aunt, and cousin Drew, on their Wyoming ranch over spring break. Todd learns, in a unique way, why stealing is wrong. He decides to choose a new path for his life because of his uncle’s Christian example. A band of high-tech cattle rustlers are caught, revealing that Todd was also wrong about Travis, a shadowy character.
Read about the round up, rattlesnake, and rustlers.

THE SECRET OF ABBOTT'S CAVE 0-9752880-0-8
A detective, a police scanner, and a cave offered possibilities for danger and excitement. Who are the real heroes in America? Randy and his friends pooled their resources to go cave exploring, discovered the hidden loot from a bank robbery, and learned they weren't heroes at all.

LEGEND OF THE WHITE WOLF 0-9752880-3-2
They didn’t call him a liar; they just couldn’t believe his story. Brian Fisher was determined to prove it was true even though it involved the risk to his own safety. His rescue of a wolf pup from a steel trap results in a mysterious relationship with surprising results. The story is set in the lower elevations near Yellowstone

Send your check, for $8 for each book you order. Include $5 shipping & handling for one book, or all 6.


TO: Max Elliot Anderson P.O. Box 4126 Rockford, IL 61110
(815) 877-1514
Mander8813@aol.com

These reviews may help you choose the best titles for your children http://maxbookreviews.blogspot.com/

Written especially for readers 8 - 13...enjoyed by all ages. And I'll sign all copies.

All books qualify for Accelerated Reader points.

Series Or Not A Series?

I’m looking for responses to the following questions concerning book series. Please feel free to choose any or all that you’d like to answer.

1. Do you and/or your children prefer a series, or do you consider books individually, regardless of their being part of a larger series?

2. When you read a book, and the story is complete, are you satisfied with this, or are you looking for additional installments?

3. With films, it’s often true that the second and third films are not as good as the first. Do you find this true, or do you prefer seeing film I, II, and III just as much?

4. Can you name any book series where the characters are not repeated in books subsequent to book # 1.

5. When choosing a series, are you attracted mostly to the author, because of other books you’ve read by that author, or are you attracted to the book itself?

6. As a child, and being a reluctant reader, I thought is was a bit silly for the same group of kids, in the same neighborhood, to essentially save the world every Saturday morning. In other words, I couldn’t accept that so many fantastic things would possibly ever happen to the same characters over and over again. What is your opinion?

7. When you read a traditional series, with the same characters, do you feel that each subsequent book is as good as, or better than the one that preceded it? Why or why not?

8. In a traditional series, do you like the fact that, before you read book # 4, for example, you have to first read the previous three?

9. What are you looking for in a book series?

10. Do you have any additional thoughts?

Thank you for your responses.

If you prefer to email your answers, send them to mander8813@aol.com

The Kids Book Connection

Today I'd like to direct your attention to The Kids Book Connection …where readers and children's authors connect. There you'll Meet Dr. Hal Lanse, Author of Read Well, Think Well

It's a great interview about children's literacy.

http://thekidsbookconnection.wordpress.com/2009/07/21/meet-dr-hal-lanse-author-of-read-well-think-well/#comment-24

Enjoy,

Max Elliot Anderson

Featured on blog about books for boys

Click here to see where my books for boys are featured on the Hook Kids on Reading blog http://hookkidsonreading.blogspot.com/

Max

They're Giving My Books Away

Click on the link below, comment on that blog, and you could win one of my books

WordVessel AUTHOR INTERVIEW Max Anderson& Book Giveaway

The Dillinger connections

This is by no means an endorsement of the outlaw, John Dillinger, nor the new film, Public Enemies, which was recently released. But I have a couple of connections to the Dillinger story that you may find interesting.

(Warsaw, Indiana newspaper - April 1934)

In this picture you’ll notice one of my action-adventures, Terror at Wolf Lake (out of print at the moment, but due for a second printing). The main character in the book, Eddy Thompson, is described this way:

“Eddy was known by his friends and his enemies for one thing. Eddy Cheated…and not just sometimes. He cheated on anything, anytime, anywhere.” Eddy lived in Crown Point, Indiana. The town is famous as the place where the FBI brought one of the worst gangsters in American history for trial. His name was John Dillinger. Eddy liked the idea that this criminal also grew up in Indiana.

“Best thing to ever come out of this state,” he liked to say. In fact, Dillinger was his hero.

This attitude ultimately changes as Eddy learns the difference between right and wrong.

I have a second connection to the Dillinger story because I grew up in the town of Warsaw, Indiana, located between Ft. Wayne and South Bend, on US 30. And Warsaw is also the county seat with the courthouse and jail. On the night of April 12, 1934, the police officer on duty was going door-to-door; rattling door handles to make sure they were locked.

Dillinger and his gang overpowered the officer, took him to the jail, and forced him to unlock the doors and then they knocked him out. The gang stole guns and bullet-proof vests from the small county jail in Warsaw that night.

Make no mistake; Dillinger was a very bad man. He and his gang were responsible for the deaths of many people. And I don’t glorify the man in any way in my book. He became public enemy # 1 by the FBI. Since this summer marks the 75th anniversary of Dillinger’s violent death in a Chicago alley, I wanted to make the connections to Terror at Wolf Lake, my hometown of Warsaw, Indiana, and and draw attention to the difference between right and wrong.

All of my action-adventures & mysteries deal with character issues, especially for tween boys.

Find reviews at
http://maxbookreviews.blogspot.com/2005/11/latest-book-reviews-for-max-elliot.html

Watch this blog for information when Terror at Wolf Lake is available again.

Authors Share Tips on How to Hook Boys on Books

Excellent article in Education Week about boys and reading:

http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2009/07/02/36reading.h28.html?tkn=QUWFsFmH3ihGtly4cbyNOcmlVXzU28zki9oX

Why Boys Fail: Saving Our Sons from an Educational System That's Leaving Them Behind

Here's a heads up on a new book that will interest you. The following is taken from Amazon.com.

Book Description

The signs and statistics are undeniable: boys are falling behind in school. Contrary to conventional wisdom, the biggest culprits are not video games, pop culture, or female-dominated schools biased toward girls. The real problem is that boys have been thrust into a bewildering new school environment that demands high-level reading and writing skills long before they are capable of handling them.

Lacking the ability to compete, boys fall farther and farther behind. Eventually, the problem gets pushed into college, where close to 60% of the graduates are women. In a time when even cops, construction foremen, and machine operators need post-high school degrees, that’s a problem.
Why Boys Fail takes a hard look at how this ominous reality came to be, how it has worsened in recent years, and why attempts to resolve it often devolve into finger-pointing and polarizing politics.

But the book also shares some good news. Amidst the alarming proof of failure among boys—around the world—there are also inspiring case studies of schools where something is going right. Each has come up with realistic ways to make sure that every student—male and female—has the tools to succeed in school and later in life. Educators and parents alike will take heart in these promising developments, and heed the book’s call to action—not only to demand solutions but also to help create them for their own students and children.

School Library Journal & Books For Boys

I saw this article today on School Library Journal.

It's an open letter to publishers from a librarian.

Read paragraph 5. More boy books:

http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6666670.html?talk_back_header_id=6607030#talkback

After reading it, I sent the following comment:

Diantha,

Thank you for your Open Letter to Publishers. What caught my eye was the paragraph about the need for more books for boys. That’s because, as a boy, I grew up hating to read. And this was in the home of a father who published more than 70 books.

After surveying the market in 2001, I began writing action-adventures & mysteries especially for boys 8 – 13. I decided to write the kinds of books I would have enjoyed as a child. Even with an agent, we’re having a tough time attracting publishers, in spite of the fact that young readers, their parents, teachers, and librarians have been extremely positive.

So I hope your letter will help to spark interest because I’ve written 35 manuscripts for boys. Seven are published by a small publisher, but I believe there is a vast market if they can get into the mainstream.

My background is in the production of dramatic films for kids, and my blog, Books for Boys, is #1 on Google http://booksandboys.blogspot.com/ So I know there is an interest and a need for more books for boys. Kids tell me that reading one of my books is like being in an exciting movie.
Here’s a typical email comment I receive, “Hi, I'm the mom of a 13 year old boy who has a hard time finding books he likes. While browsing the bookstores, I have found so many books that sound like they are right up his alley. The only problem is that almost all the protagonists are girls! How are we supposed to turn our boys on to reading when the main characters are girls? It is well known that girls will read books with boys as main characters, but not the other way around. (Not that I think that's right, just that it is the way it is.)”

Max Elliot Anderson

Author

What are your thoughts about this?

My Books are distributed by Baker & Taylor

Tutoring / Mentoring

I’m noticing the subjects of tutoring and/or mentoring coming up more frequently in recent weeks. This might be a little like buying a blue car and you start seeing blue cars everywhere. In other words, I might notice this because my books are being used increasingly in these settings.

I know of organizations that are beginning to look at the potential for helping struggling readers with tutoring clubs or mentoring. I’m in contact with a national ministry that reaches over a million kids each year. They’re exploring the possibilities of using my books to tutor kids because they’ve noticed a need.

Prison ministries are also taking a look at my books since most prisoners have reading issues.

My publisher has extensive workbooks available (as shown above) for each of my 7 books, along with reading activity packs. There is great interest in these tools since my action-adventure & mystery books for boys already demonstrate that they keep readers interested with their fast pace, humor, and cliffhanger chapter endings.

What’s your experience with using books for mentoring or tutoring? I’d be very interested to know what you’re doing or what you've observed.

Max Elliot Anderson

Have You Heard of Horrid Henry?

As authors of books for children, we set out to create books our young readers will enjoy. We hope our books will be “keepers” to be read again and again. Recently I received another email telling me that my action-adventures and mysteries have had this effect on an eleven year-old boy.

In our family, it was the “Mr. Men and Little Miss” books that our children wanted my wife and me to read over and over again, and we did. Even though our children are 30 and 28 now, I highly recommend these books to parents today.

Now I have the opportunity to introduce you to another set of books that I think will be “keepers.” I’m talking about the “Horrid Henry” books by Francesca Simon. I would first suggest these as books for boys 5 – 8. Each book contains four short chapters. Girls will enjoy the books just as much as boys.

The series has been successful in England, and is now being published in the US. In addition to “Horrid Henry,” the titles include “Horrid Henry Tricks the Tooth Fairy,” “Horrid Henry and the Mega-Mean Time Machine,” and “Horrid Henry’s Stink Bomb.”

Parents might be concerned that Henry will give kids ideas of ways to get into trouble, but there are always consequences for the things that Henry does. Other characters, in addition to Horrid Henry, include his brother, Perfect Peter, Moody Margaret, Spotless Sam, Goody-Goody Gordon, Tidy Ted, and Soar Susan.

The Horrid Henry books deal with real life situations. Young readers may recognize their own parents, teachers, siblings, friends…even themselves, in the characters. But it’s the humor that will have kids coming back for more.

My first concern, as an author, is for struggling or reluctant readers, since I grew up hating to read. Horrid Henry may be just the cure for children who think they aren’t interested in reading.

Published by Sourcebooks’ Jabberwocky

Max Elliot Anderson
Author
Books for Boys

MAKE SURE TO JOIN ME ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER

50 Pages Of Books For Boys Reviews

It can be difficult to decide on what books to buy for the boys or girls in your family and circle of friends.

Since I grew up hating to read, I made it my mission to write action-adventures & mysteries that I would have liked as a child.

But how do you decide where to spend your dollars, on material for your kids to read, in these difficult times? It’s a challenge.

So I’m posting the link to a blog that has more than 50 pages of reviews for my books. I hope they help you in making your decision on good summer reading material for the young readers in your life.

My first aim is to write books for boys, however, girls like them too. And kids tell me that reading one of my books is like being in an exciting movie.

The reviews can be found at http://maxbookreviews.blogspot.com

My books can be purchased on Amazon. They can also be ordered from any Barnes & Noble, or other stores, since they are distributed by Baker & Taylor.

Signed copies can be ordered directly from me. You can email for details at mander8813@aol.com

Thanks,

Max Elliot Anderson

Terror At Wolf Lake going into second printing

Terror At Wolf Lake is going into a second printing.

At a recent meeting with my publisher, I learned that my book, Terror at Wolf Lake, will soon be scheduled for a second printing. That will be followed by a second printing of Newspaper Caper.

Once these books are available again, I’ll post information on this blog.

There are longer-range plans to release Reckless Runaway and Third House on the Left.

Even longer range plans call for the publishing of three more new books for boys titles in the future.

Coaching Students & Books For Boys

PARADE Magazine had an interesting article over the weekend, “Coaching Students To Stay In School.”

http://www.parade.com/news/2009/06/coaching-students-to-stay-in-school.html

The article makes a point of the importance of mentoring students to stay in school and graduate. This fits in very well with the efforts my publisher is making in the areas of mentoring students, and mentoring prisoners.

The author of this article is Peg Tyre. Peg is also the author of an excellent book, “The Trouble With Boys." You can find it on Amazon at:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0307381285/ref=s9_simz_gw_s0_p14_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=13PMPP291T24T906RS1S&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846

Mentoring with Books for Boys...and Girls

There is another application for the use of my action-adventures & mysteries, written especially for boys.

Mentoring.

“It’s the most effective thing we have done in 11 years of ministry.” – Youth pastors, Matt and Trish Price.

The curriculum includes a chapter book, and for each chapter there are comprehension and life value discussion questions, vocabulary development, and three fun activity pages and puzzles. The chapter books are fast paced, action packed, and values promoting. It’s not a class with assignments. It’s mentoring.

For more information, contact:

Dr. Marvin G. Baker

President

Tweener Ministries

P.O. Box 1284

Warsaw, IN 46581-1284

574-269-6100
info@tweenerministries.org

Prison Literacy & Books for Boys

Since I began writing books for boys, I’ve read articles indicating that most prison inmates grew up as struggling or reluctant readers, or they can’t read at all. Obviously there are many reasons for their reading troubles, but I was struck with the statistics because I also grew up as a reluctant reader.

Following is from a report about prison literacy by Kenneth W. Mentor, J.D., Ph.D.

“Illiteracy is perhaps the greatest common denominator in correctional facilities. Data collected from the National Adult Literacy Survey (NALS) show that literacy levels among inmates is considerably lower than for the general population. For example, of the 5 levels measured by the NALS, 70% of inmates scored at the lowest two levels of literacy (below 4th grade). Other research suggests that 75% of inmates are illiterate (at the 12th grade level) and 19% are completely illiterate. Forty percent are functionally illiterate. In real world terms, this means that the individual would be unable to write a letter explaining a billing error. In comparison, the national illiteracy rate for adult Americans stands at 4%, with 21% functionally illiterate.

“A related concern is that prisoners have a higher proportion of learning disabilities than the general population. Estimates of learning disability are as high as 75-90% for juvenile offenders. Low literacy levels and high rates of learning disabilities have contributed to high dropout rates. Nationwide, over 70% of all people entering state correctional facilities have not completed high school, with 46% having had some high school education and 16.4% having had no high school education at all. Since there is a strong link between low levels of education and high rates of criminal activity, it is logical to assume that high dropout rates will lead to higher crime rates.”
http://kenmentor.com/papers/literacy.htm

Fortunately I’m a reluctant reader who didn’t become a prisoner, but I’m very excited about a development by my publisher. They have developed extensive workbook materials that are now being used in prisons. My action-adventures & mysteries teach character, personal responsibility, moral and spiritual principles. And the books are written in such a way that the reader is nearly forced to move on to the next chapter.

If you have a struggling reader, I urge you to get a few of my books and try them out.

If you’re in a position to do it, I hope you’ll share this information with people who work in prison ministry.

There are also opportunities to use my books, and the workbooks, through a mentoring program which is also available.

Remember, readers are the leaders others follow.

Max Elliot Anderson