Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Kids Reading After Lights Out

I've heard from a number of parents that their kids are finding ways to read my adventures and mysteries after lights out.
Find out why this is by checking out one or more of my books for readers 8 and up. Ask for them at your local bookstore or order online.

Find several exciting video book trailers here http://www.youtube.com/user/Maxbooks100

Comfort Publishing

When the Lights Go Out ISBN: 9781936695478
Terror at Wolf Lake ISBN: 9781936695966
North Woods Poachers ISBN: 9781936695058
Barney and the Runaway ISBN: 9780984559848
Legend of the White Wolf ISBN: 9781936695690
Newspaper Caper ISBN: 9781936695263

Port Yonder Press


Lost Island Smugglers ISBN: 9781935600022
Captain Jack's Treasure ISBN: 9781935600145
River Rampage ISBN: 9781935600152

Max Elliot Anderson - Author


Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Robins in the Spring

This bush sits outside a large picture window in our living room on the front of the house.



I began to notice a robin that was always around and took off yelling anytime we came out the front door.



As I suspected, a nest had to be nearby, and here it is, in that bush, with 3 eggs inside. Each time we walked outside, the mother flew away, squawking, trying to divert our attention away from the nest, but I'd already discovered its location.


 In time she accepted the fat that we were going to keep coming and going through that front door. She settled into our routine and didn't fly away as often.


Soon the babies hatched as you can see here.



They began screeching as they called out to their mother for, "More food! More food NOW!"


Here they seem to be practicing for their part in the local robin opera.



They practiced a lot. If you listen closely you may hear them singing, "Figaro, Figaro, Figaro, Figaro, F..I...G...A...R...O!



 In a few days, however, it appeared that only one baby robin remained in the nest. I didn't watch it every day, so I have no idea what happened. The only thing is, I felt from the start that the nest was smaller than a usual robin's. However, this guy was the Baby Huey of the family and he may have simply pushed the others out. What's that they say about survival of the fittest?


He kept demanding all the food and from this point, that's what he got since the others were gone.



Baby Huey grew quickly until...



...this morning when he left the nest and sat in the branches of the bush. By this evening he was gone.



Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Digital Natives - The Internet Generation - Gen Z

Digital Natives - The Internet Generation - Generation Z: Read about them and their reading habits at http://christianfictiononlinemagazine.com/middle_anderson.html

 Max Elliot Anderson

Sunday, June 10, 2012

Short Story, Grandpa's Old Oak Tree

Here's a short story, Grandpa's Old Oak Tree, which is up on Knowonder magazine today. Share it with the children in your life http://www.knowonder.com/2012/06/10/grandpas-old-oak-tree/
The magazine says, "Grandpa's Old Oak Tree is a touching story that is perfect for a Sunday evening with the kids. It talks about death in a way that you and the children can easily discuss."

Max Elliot Anderson

Tuesday, June 05, 2012

Exciting NEWS! Short Stories for Kids


Six months ago, I began writing short stories, as a staff writer, for an online magazine for kids. So far, I've submitted nearly 30 stories. That means if your kids like what they see, there will be many, many more in the future. Today, the first one was published by Knowonder. This magazine re-launched on June 1, and plans a new, fresh short story every....single....day!

Read my adventure-mystery story, S.O.S., at

Be sure to sign up for the app on your smart phone by searching the name Knowonder

More details about Knowonder magazine.
 
Knowonder, an online children’s magazine, is announcing its relaunch. It is bigger and better than ever! Promising a story a day, Knowonder is a valuable partner for parents and educators in promoting literacy. Some of the exciting features the newly redesigned site offers are:

§       *  New stories every day
§       * 3 new non-fiction articles each week
§       *  8 content categories, including classic favorites, kid stories and kid art
  *Contests & prizes; your opinion matters! Vote for your favorites to assure you see more like them in the future!
  *IPhone app available
§      *Android app coming soon!

     Visit every day and find a new story to share with your children.

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

The Sam Cooper Adventure Series


The Sam Cooper
Adventure Series

Follow Sam Cooper and his friends Tony and Tyler as they get into and out of one scrape after another. Like the smugglers on Lost Island who used high-speed boats between the island and the mainland, or the old tub Captain Jack was fixing up. What exactly did he plan to do with that boat when he finished...treasure?
In their latest adventure, River Rampage, the boys are separated from the main group of rafters leaving them to find their own way out. But before that they had to deal with a mysterious prospector, an outlaw motorcycle gang, gigantic rapids, a gold mine, and much, much more.
Lost Island Smugglers
Book #1

Sam Cooper had just moved to Harper's Inlet when he met Tony. Tony's father owned a marina. Sam, Tony, and Tyler took scuba lessons together. After they completed the course, the boys decided to try out their new skills in the real world...the ocean. The only problem was, no one had permission. Everything went well until the biggest storm Tony had ever seen blew up from out of nowhere, and the boys found themselves stranded on Lost Island. But, if they thought the worst had happened, they were wrong!


                                                                Video

Captain Jack’s Treasure
Book #2
Sam Cooper lives right near the ocean, on the Treasure Coast of Florida. All he's heard about since he moved here are the fabulous treasures that have been found, and those still waiting to be discovered. Sam, Tony, and Tyler are convinced that they will be the ones to dig up the next great find. They meet a crusty sea captain named Jack who's fixing up an impossible looking old tub. What is Captain Jack's mysterious secret? And what is he really planning to do with that boat?
                                                        Video

River Rampage
Book #3
Published June 1, 2012




Sam Cooper and his friends have the chance of a lifetime to go rafting down the mighty Colorado River. The rains have been heavy this season, turning the raging river even more treacherous. The boys’ become separated from the main group, their rubber raft is going flat, and now they’re on their own. They have their hands full with a crusty prospector, his gold mine, a gang of outlaw bikers, and a desperate river escape on their makeshift wooden raft. Think that’s the worst that could happen? Well, it isn’t.

                                       Video

"Max Elliot Anderson brings a lifetime of dramatic film and video production to the pages of his action adventures and mysteries." Jerry B. Jenkins, Author


"Sam Cooper Adventures are like good, family movies . . . as an ordinary kid finds himself in exciting and extra-ordinary adventures!" Bill Myers - Author


You may use the following news release 
for your own distribution                                


NEWSRelease

         FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 Author Publishes 9th Kid’s Adventure – River Rampage. 

CONTACT: Max Elliot Anderson


Port Yonder Press ISBN: 9781935600152

Author Max Elliot Anderson has published his latest adventure for readers 8 and up. River Rampage is perfect for summer reading fun.

“I grew up as a struggling, reluctant reader,” Anderson said. “It was difficult for me to stay with a book till the end.”

Mr. Anderson’s professional career has included the production of hundreds of dramatic films, video programs, and thousands of television commercials. “Kids tell me that reading one of my adventures or mysteries is like being in an exciting or scary movie. And it’s good scary, not dark. I think it comes from so many years of film productions. That experience helps me to bring the same excitement and heart-pounding action and adventures to the books I write.”

Bestselling author Jerry B. Jenkins says, "Max Elliot Anderson brings a lifetime of dramatic film and video production to the pages of his action adventures and mysteries."

And bestselling author Bill Myers adds, "Sam Cooper Adventures are like good, family movies . . . as an ordinary kid finds himself in exciting and extra-ordinary adventures!"

River Rampage is book #3 in the Sam Cooper Adventure Series. Sam Cooper and his friends have the chance of a lifetime to go rafting down the mighty Colorado River. The rains have been heavy this season, turning the raging river even more treacherous. The boys become separated from the main group, their rubber raft is going flat, and now they’re on their own. They have their hands full with a crusty prospector, his gold mine, a gang of outlaw bikers, and a desperate river escape on their makeshift wooden raft. Think that’s the worst that could happen? Well, it isn’t.

Lost Island Smugglers and Captain Jack’s Treasure round out the series. “There are discussions about expanding this series,” Anderson said. “All of my other books are stand-alone stories with different characters and settings. My blog, Books for Boys, gives more details.”

These adventures and mysteries provide plenty of page-turning excitement for summer reading as Sam, Tony, and Tyler get into and out of one scrape after another. “You’d think that getting their boat smashed to pieces and stranding them on Lost Island would have been enough of an adventure,” Anderson said, “but that was only the beginning. River Rampage is the third book in the series, and the boys’ summer is hardly half over.”

Jenny Rose calls this a contemporary Hardy Boys series. Marilyn Rockett, Executive Editor of Homeschooling Today Magazine says, “Some have said that Sam Cooper Adventures are like good family movies, and Anderson brings his award-winning film and video production experience to the written page in stories that will encourage boys to read.” Others have called these great adventures and exciting books that younger readers will relish.

River Rampage will be released on June 1, just in time for summer reading enjoyment. From Port Yonder Press 168 pages ISBN: 9781935600152

See the River Rampage video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxoWP4QmVJQ

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Contract Signed for New Adventure Book

THE SCARECROW

Details to follow as this project develops.


          Billy lived in a pitiful place in the city with his mother and younger sister, Becky. Their father had run off years ago and their mother became abusive every time she drank, to forget her troubles.
            One fateful day, a judge ordered that the children had to be removed from the house. The children thought that would be all right until they learned that they wouldn’t be going to the same place together.
            Billy found himself on a remote farm with an aunt and uncle who have never had children. Billy withdrew and didn’t speak at all for a long time.
            As his uncle gave him a tour of the farm, Billy was startled when he first saw the scarecrow. Then something amazing happened. Billy wasn’t certain at first, but he was positive that the scarecrow could talk. Later, in his mind, he and the scarecrow became best friends, and did everything together.
            Billy’s uncle became concerned and, in time, showed him how he could have a friend who would stick closer than a brother.
            Finally, Billy was able to share the news with his sister and his mother.



Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Cool Read For A Hot Summer Day

On these hot, summer days coming up, you might like to introduce your young readers to the winter story, Terror At Wolf Lake. This book reminds many of the movie, Home Alone with it's wacky bank robber crooks.

Synopsis:
Eddy Thompson's hero is John Dillinger, one of the most dangerous bank robbers in American history. So it's no surprise that Eddy cheats on anything, anytime, anywhere. With school out for Christmas, Eddy's father invites Chet, Rusty, and their fathers to drive up to a cabin he owns on Wolf Lake, Michigan, for ice fishing, tobogganing, and winter fun. But something happens there that will change Eddy's life. One day, two real bank robbers toss their stolen cash over the Eddy's fence in hopes to come back for it later, as police sirens race toward them. Of course, Eddy wants to keep it, and that's when their troubles really begin. With so much danger closing in and with the help of his friends, Eddy realizes how wrong it is to cheat. But the terror doesn't end there and follows them all the way back home.
 
And remember, kids say that reading a book by
Max Elliot Anderson is like being in an exciting movie.
 
"Max Elliot Anderson brings a lifetime of dramatic film and video production to the pages of his action adventures and mysteries." Jerry B. Jenkins, Author
Terror at Wolf Lake $9.99 is available from bookstores, online, and also as an ebook
 
 
 

Wednesday, May 09, 2012

Books You Can Trust For Kids

Books you can trust for readers 8 and up.

The Sam Cooper Adventure Series

LOST ISLAND SMUGGLERS - Book #1 in the Sam Cooper Adventure Series

Sam Cooper had just moved to Harper's Inlet when he met Tony. Tony's father owned a marina. Sam, Tony, and Tyler took scuba lessons together. After they completed the course, the boys decided to try out their new skills in the real world...the ocean. The only problem was, no one had permission. Everything went well until the biggest storm Tony had ever seen blew up from out of nowhere, and the boys found themselves stranded on Lost Island. But, if they thought the worst had happened, they were wrong!


CAPTAIN JACK’S TREASURE – Book #2 in the Sam Cooper Adventure Series

Sam Cooper lives right near the ocean, on the Treasure Coast of Florida. All he's heard about since he moved here are the fabulous treasures that have been found, and those still waiting to be discovered. Sam, Tony, and Tyler are convinced that they will be the ones to dig up the next great find. They meet a crusty sea captain named Jack who's fixing up an impossible looking old tub. What is Captain Jack's mysterious secret? And what is he really planning to do with that boat?




 RIVER RAMPAGE – Book #3 in the Sam Cooper Adventure Series
Sam Cooper and his friends have the chance of a lifetime to go rafting down the mighty Colorado River. The rains have been heavy this season, turning the raging river even more treacherous. The boys’ become separated from the main group, their rubber raft is going flat, and now they’re on their own. They have their hands full with a crusty prospector, his gold mine, a gang of outlaw bikers, and a desperate river escape on their makeshift wooden raft.
Think that’s the worst that could happen? Well, it isn’t.

Comfort Publishing Adventure Series
WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT 

Peyton Aldrich's father is an Army colonel, who specializes in Army intelligence. His work is always top secret, which means he can't even discuss it with his own son. Peyton idolized his father, who believes that after what happened on 9/11, somebody had to help keep the country safe. Now, Peyton, along with his family, find themselves stationed at a new army base, in the middle of nowhere. After his arrival, Peyton finds two friends, Gill and Dave. Together they decide to train like Rangers, and search for some kind of mission to accomplish on their own. Little did they know that a mission was about to put the boys right in the crosshairs of a dangerous terrorist plot, when a secret weapon would be delivered to the base on its way across the country.

BARNEY AND THE RUNAWAY

Mike hated the way his parents were always telling him what to do. Along with his dog, Barney, he decides to teach them a lesson by pretending to run away for a few hours. The plan gets complicated when Mike and Barney hide in a railroad boxcar, fall asleep, and end up in Georgia with a circus in the middle of the night. After his experiences away from home, Mike learns the importance of family, and that you don’t appreciate what you have until its gone.



LEGEND OF THE WHITE WOLF 

Brian Fisher discovered a white wolf pup caught in a trap and set it free. Since then, Brian was convinced that he and the wolf shared a special bond. Stung by the disbelief of his family and friends, Brian sets out to prove that his fantastic story is true. He soon finds himself lost out in a snowstorm and attacked by a mountain lion. When a group of lawless hunters begins killing off the wolf population, Brian is caught right in the middle! An eleven-year-old boy, a mysterious white wolf, a dangerous band of illegal hunters, and all the excitement of the rugged outdoors near Yellowstone National Park.

NEWSPAPER CAPER  

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 in the papers they delivered. Early in the morning, while it was still dark, the three boys stumbled across some suspicious activity. A begins to hook up an expensive car in someone's driveway along their paper route, but when the tow truck driver sees the boys, he drives off leaving the car behind. Tom reads in the paper the next morning about a string of car thefts around the area. He begins to see a connection between a local car repair shop and the thefts. The boys' adventures begin as they take matters into their own hands and investigate the car thefts. They befriend an elderly widow whose car was stolen, encounter vicious guard dogs and the thieves themselves at the chop-shop. But it's Tom who proves to be the one who carries this mystery to its dangerous conclusion. tow truck

TERROR AT WOLF LAKE  

Eddy Thompson's hero is John Dillinger, one of the most dangerous bank robbers in American history. So it's no surprise that Eddy cheats on anything, anytime, anywhere. With school out for Christmas, Eddy's father invites Chet, Rusty, and their fathers to drive up to a cabin he owns on Wolf Lake, Michigan, for ice fishing, tobogganing, and winter fun. But something happens there that will change Eddy's life. One day, two real bank robbers toss their stolen cash over the fence at Eddy's cabin in hopes to come back for it later, as police sirens race toward them. Of course, Eddy wants to keep it, and that's when their troubles really begin. With so much danger closing in and with the help of his friends, Eddy realizes how wrong it is to cheat. But the terror doesn't end there and follows them all the way back home.

NORTH WOODS POACHERS  

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. 

"Max Elliot Anderson brings a lifetime of dramatic film and video production to the pages of his action adventures and mysteries." Jerry B. Jenkins, Author

"Sam Cooper Adventures are like good, family movies . . . as an ordinary kid finds himself in exciting and extra-ordinary adventures!" Bill Myers - Author

60 pages of reviews - http://maxbookreviews.blogspot.com

My Youtube Videos - http://www.youtube.com/user/Maxbooks100?feature=watch


These exciting books are compared by readers and reviewers to Tom Sawyer, The Hardy Boys, Huck Finn, Nancy Drew, Tom Swift, Lemony Snicket, and others. They can be ordered from any bookstore, are available at Amazon and Banres and Noble & others online, and are available as ebooks.


Thursday, May 03, 2012

New Video for RIVER RAMPAGE

River Rampage will release in June. This is book #3 in the Sam Cooper Adventure Series.

River Rampage
Sam Cooper and his friends have the chance of a lifetime to go rafting down the mighty Colorado River. The rains have been heavy this season, turning the raging river even more treacherous. The boys’ become separated from the main group, their rubber raft is going flat, and now they’re on their own. They have their hands full with a crusty prospector, his gold mine, a gang of outlaw bikers, and a desperate river escape on their makeshift wooden raft.


Think that’s the worst that could happen? 

Well, it isn’t!

Here's the video.


Use this link to forward the video to your friends, family, and others.
Book # 1 Lost Island Smugglers
Video - Lost Island Smugglers



Book # 2 Captain Jack's Treasure



Video - Captain Jack's Treasure

Tuesday, May 01, 2012

ARTICLE - Reading Sparks Young Readers' Imaginations .

This article shows how the imagination is like a muscle. Use it or lose it. Included is a report from an important study concerning children and reading. For example, did you know that 75% of children realize they should read more? See how many think texting is reading.
Thank you,
Max
 

Saturday, April 21, 2012

VIDEO - Reading Sparks Kids' Imagination

NEWS! Watch for the NEW video this week for
River Rampage, a book to be released in June, 2012. River Rampage is book #3 in the
Sam Cooper Adventure Series!





The following video will help to excite an interest in reading for the kids in your family or circle of influence.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOAa_eu30Xc&feature
Feel free to share this link in any way you choose.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Library Visit

Recently I participated in an event, at a library near Chicago, with 30 other authors.

This was about an hour before the event started

A woman came to my table who works as a reading specialist in their public school system. After she saw the way that the interior of my books were laid out, making them easier to read, she purchased several because she already knew that they would help her students. We talked for a long time.
If you have children or grandchildren in your family or circle of friends - especially boys - who aren't excited about reading, I'd encourage you to do what this reading specialist did. Get some of my action-adventure & mystery books, try them out, and see what happens. Many have told me that these books were the key to unlocking a love of reading in their kids. And kids say that reading them is like being in an exciting movie.


Comfort Publishing

When the Lights Go Out ISBN: 9781936695478


Terror at Wolf Lake ISBN: 9781936695966


North Woods Poachers ISBN: 9781936695058


Barney and the Runaway ISBN: 9780984559848


Legend of the White Wolf ISBN: 9781936695690


Newspaper Caper ISBN: 9781936695263


Port Yonder Press


Lost Island Smugglers ISBN: 9781935600022


Captain Jack's Treasure ISBN: 9781935600145


River Rampage June 2012

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Code of Silence

Please check out this new book from my good friend, Tim Shoemaker for readers 11 and up.
Description

Is there ever a time to lie? What if the truth is dangerous? Three friends witness a violent robbery, and fearing for their lives, make a pact to hide what they know. Trapped in a code of silence, they must face the consequences of choosing right or wrong--when both options have a price.


Additional Information


Code of Silence is a contemporary suspense targeted for 8-12-year-olds--specifically boys. Girls have been loving it as well.


Code of Silence takes two popular maxims, "honesty is the best policy" and "silence is golden" ... and puts them in the ring together to fight it out.


Code of Silence is the first in a three-book series published by Zonderkidz.


330 pages


A story that will hold a boy's attention. And works as a great book for a parent to read aloud to reluctant readers.
Not a fantasy, a story about a star athlete, or of a kid with amazing or supernatural abilities, Code of Silence is the story of three regular kids that get in way over their heads. It will relate well with with the average boy.


Reviews


None in officially yet, although there were some great comments from the editor and pub board.


Comments from Readers


"Whoa, what an AWESOME, AWESOME, AWESOME ending! I absolutely LOVED your book!"


Kristy Sorensen, 8th grade teacher


"I loved your book! It was amazing. It was one of the best books (of its kind) I have read this year. Thank you for this amazing book. I will recommend it to all my friends. I can't wait to read the next two!


Josiah B., age 13

"Connor LOVED the book . . . he finished it in 2 days. He gave it to his best friend, Nick, who loved it and did a report on it for his Language Arts Class. Connor and Nick can hardly wait for second book in the series!"


Paige K., mom of Connor, age 11


"The kids keep asking me 'Are we going to read more from the book today?' and 'When are we going to read more Code of Silence?' They are so geeked on this novel thus far, you coming in would send them over the edge!"


Wendy Fanella, 5th grade teacher

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

NEW book - River Rampage, for readers 8 - 13 coming soon from Max Elliot Anderson

Book # 1 Lost Island Smugglers

Book #1 in the Sam Cooper Adventure Series

Sam Cooper had just moved to Harper's Inlet when he met Tony. Tony's father owned a marina. Sam, Tony, and Tyler took scuba lessons together. After they completed the course, the boys decided to try out their new skills in the real world...the ocean. The only problem was, no one had permission. Everything went well until the biggest storm Tony had ever seen blew up from out of nowhere, and the boys found themselves stranded on Lost Island. But, if they thought the worst had happened, they were wrong!


Book # 2 Captain Jack's Treasure

Book #2 in the Sam Cooper Adventure Series

Sam Cooper lives right near the ocean, on the Treasure Coast of Florida. All he's heard about since he moved here are the fabulous treasures that have been found, and those still waiting to be discovered. Sam, Tony, and Tyler are convinced that they will be the ones to dig up the next great find. They meet a crusty sea captain named Jack who's fixing up an impossible looking old tub. What is Captain Jack's mysterious secret? And what is he really planning to do with that boat?

Book # 3 River Rampage - Coming Soon!
Sam Copper and his friends have the chance of a lifetime to go rafting down the mighty Colorado River. The rains have been heavy this season, turning the raging river even more treacherous. The boys become separated from the main group, their rubber raft is going flat, and now they’re on their own. They have their hands full with a crusty prospector, his gold mine, a gang of outlaw bikers, and a desperate river escape on their makeshift wooden raft.
Think that’s the worst that could happen?
Well, it isn’t.