Price Reduced!

"North Woods Poachers" by Max Elliot Anders Price Now reduced! ow.ly/lsFJr @MaxEAnderson #booksforboys #summerreading

 

Amazon Link:

 

http://www.amazon.com/North-Woods-Poachers-Elliot-Anderson/dp/1936695057%3FSubscriptionId%3D1QZMGW0RRJC2PX87HDR2%26tag%3Dsalranexp-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3D1936695057

No One’s Gonna Steal My Mower

Well, now that summer is here, the sounds of lawn mowers fill the otherwise quiet weekend air. Maybe this was the year you bought a new mower. Or yours might be just a few years old. I’m sure you’d be very careful about leaving it in the yard unattended. Around here, that’d be a sure way to lose a mower, or anything else of value.

I suppose one way to guard against a theft like that might be to rent or borrow a mower. But that’s too much hassle every week. You’d probably just make sure to park it in the garage or shed each time you’ve finished cutting your grass.

My plan was a little different. I don’t own a new mower, don’t have plans to buy one anytime soon, and I could leave mine right by the street, overnight, and no one would even think of taking it. Let me explain.

Probably 20 years ago or so, a neighbor wanted to get rid of his power mower. He was looking for more exercise and had chosen a push rotary mower. You know, the kind you see in those old black and white movies. Well, my mower had just died and I’d started looking around.

So when he offered to give me his old mower, I thought, “Sure, why not. I can use it until I find what I’m looking for, new.” Besides, his mower looked like it was about ready for the scrap heap, anyway.

It had a Snapper body

 

A Lawn Chief motor

 

And looked like it might fall apart any minute.

Well, that was years and years ago, but the crazy thing still runs just fine. I’ve never serviced it or sharpened the blade. All I do, each time I’m ready to mow, is pour in some oil, fill it with gas, and away we go. Once I did back over the catch bag and had to stitch it up in several places. Now I call it Frankenmower.

I’ve replaced the long handle once

And all 4 wheels...twice!

 

The grass shoot is made from an old campaign sign from a former TV commercials client

But other than that…nothing.

The poor thing kind of reminds me of the old Johnny Cash song,  “One Piece At A Time” Here’s a link to the song on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWHniL8MyMM

So, as I said, no one’s gonna steal my mower…ever! I think this machine is a TV commercial waiting to be produced.

About.com includes my middle grade books

About.com includes my middle grade books for summer reading http://specialchildren.about.com/b/2013/05/20/as-the-hunt-for-reluctant-reader-friendly-summer-books-begins.htm

He thought his parents didn't love

He thought his parents didn't love him because of their rules. He pretended to run away and...oh my! You won't believe what happens next. An exciting kids book - Barney and The Runaway. http://www.amazon.com/Barney-Runaway-Max-Elliot-Anderson/dp/0984559841%3FSubscriptionId%3D1QZMGW0RRJC2PX87HDR2%26tag%3Dsalranexp-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3D0984559841

 

Author Video

Here's a short new author's video. It's part of an exciting announcement I'll make soon. Until then, enjoy the video http://youtu.be/48nLqzNFBWg

Book Covers

National Children's Book Week

This is National Children's Book Week. Why not go out and buy a kid some books? http://www.amazon.com/Max-Elliot-Anderson/e/B002BLP3EE

The Over 50 Writer

Here's the link http://www.pattishene.com/theover50writer/105/1

 

 

Special Amazon page - Books for Boys

Find a special Amazon page - Books for Boys - Readers are Leaders - Buy a Boy a book at:

http://www.amazon.com/lm/R3EPYQRR8USNPJ/

 

Max

 

 

Important New Resource - I Believe In Healing

My 5 author / contributor copies have arrived of the new book,
I Believe In Healing, compiled by Cecil Murphey & Twila Belk, published by Regal Books. Not only is the book beautifully produced on the outside, it's what's inside that will excite readers. My story is about an encounter with Polio when I was only three years old, "He'll Never Walk Again."

The publisher says of I Believe In Healing:
"When a loved one is injured or ill, what do Christians do? They pray, expecting God to intervene with a miracle of healing. They pray not only because the Bible says to do so, but also because God has shown Himself faithful to heal throughout history and even today. I Believe in Healing is a one-of-a-kind collection of true stories that demonstrate God’s healing power. Readers will find dozens of biblical, historical and present-day accounts of physical and emotional healings, written in Cecil Murphey’s heart-warming, uplifting style that made 90 Minutes in Heaven a New York Times bestseller. Anyone who needs a touch from God for themselves or a loved one will find encouragement and inspiration in these pages. Cecil Murphey has collaborated on a number of bestselling books, including 90 Minutes in Heaven and Heaven Is Real with Don Piper, Touchdown Alexander with Shaun Alexander and Rebel with a Cause with Franklin Graham. He is a recipient of the Gold Medallion Award, two-time recipient of the Silver Angel Award for Excellence in Media, and the inaugural recipient in 2007 of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. Murphey is the author of I Choose to Stay, The Immortality of Influence and When God Turned Off the Lights. He writes a weekly devotional for Crosswalk.com. Twila Belk works full time with veteran author Cecil Murphey as his manager, personal assistant, PR person and event coordinator. She coauthored (with Murphey) Because You Care: Spiritual Encouragement for Caregivers and Heavenly Company: Entertaining Angels Unaware."

Ask for I Believe In Healing at your local bookstore, or order it online.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0830765530/ref=s9_psimh_gw_p14_d0_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0EXMZX7Z0B43PA8T9JJ5&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1389517282&pf_rd_i=507846

Ever thought of traveling to India? Here's your chance...for FREE!

Ever thought of traveling to India? Here's your chance...for FREE!

Visit - Pens on World Map http://www.pensonaworldmap.com/

New Book Coming Soon!

The Great Cave Caper is in the final stages of production and will be released soon. I've gone through the galleys and the cover artwork is nearing completion. So Keep your eyes out for
The Great Cave Caper
A new adventure, from Comfort Publishing, for middle grade readers 8 - 13
by
Max Elliot Anderson.

How Can We Help Kids Understand Terrorism?

This book may help kids understand these troubling times and how we all need to be aware -When The Lights Go Out - for readers 8 and up.

 

Order From Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/When-The-Lights-Go-Out/dp/1936695472%3FSubscriptionId%3D1QZMGW0RRJC2PX87HDR2%26tag%3Dsalranexp-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3D1936695472

Video Trailer

Synopsis

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. Nevertheless, 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. Will the terrorists find out who is trying to expose their evil plan? Will the boys be able to stop them? And what will happen to Peyton's father when the general finds out what the boys did? When the Lights Go Out is a story for kids, and their parents, so we never forget 9/11.

What guy wouldn't love smashing a TV with a bowling ball?

What guy wouldn't love smashing a TV, using a bowling ball, with fire everywhere?

 

VIDEO - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgzkiTCeTEU

 

 

How Gross Must We Be To Attract Boy Readers?

I have a new article available about the condition of recent books for boys at http://christianfictiononlinemagazine.com/middle_anderson.html

He'll Never Walk Again

Several months ago, I had the opportunity to submit a true story for consideration in this new book, “I Believe in Healing: Real Stories from the Bible and Today.” My parents were told I would never walk again.

 Photos courtesy of Immunization Action Coalition

"He'll Never Walk Again" - Page 124 - is included in the book, and concerns events surrounding my third birthday when I contracted the dreaded disease of Polio. Of course, this was a traumatic chapter in my young life. Evangelist Billy Graham played a key role in my story and that of a brother and sister who had Polio at the same time. Today, none of us has any lasting effects. You can read our story in this new book.

About the Authors

 

Cecil Murphey | Atlanta, GA

Cecil Murphey has collaborated on a number of bestselling books, including 90 Minutes in Heaven and Heaven Is Real with Don Piper, Touchdown Alexander with Shaun Alexander and Rebel with a Cause with Franklin Graham. He is a recipient of the Gold Medallion Award, two-time recipient of the Silver Angel Award for Excellence in Media, and the inaugural recipient in 2007 of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. Murphey is the author of I Choose to Stay, The Immortality of Influence and When God Turned Off the Lights. He writes a weekly devotional for Crosswalk.com.

 Twila Belk | Davenport, IA

Twila Belk works full time with veteran author Cecil Murphey as his manager, personal assistant, PR person and event coordinator. She coauthored (with Murphey) Because You Care: Spiritual Encouragement for Caregivers and Heavenly Company: Entertaining Angels Unaware.

About This New Book , Published by Regal

"I Believe in Healing: Real Stories from the Bible and Today"

When a loved one is injured or ill, what do Christians do? They pray, expecting God to intervene with a miracle of healing. They pray not only because the Bible says to do so, but also because God has shown Himself faithful to heal throughout history and even today. I Believe in Healing is a one-of-a-kind collection of true stories that demonstrate God’s healing power. Readers will find dozens of biblical, historical and present-day accounts of physical and emotional healings, written in Cecil Murphey’s heart-warming, uplifting style that made 90 Minutes in Heaven a New York Times bestseller. Anyone who needs a touch from God for themselves or a loved one will find encouragement and inspiration in these pages.

Released March 3, 2013.

Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Believe-Healing-Stories-Bible-Today/dp/0830765530/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1364828717&sr=1-1&keywords=i+believe+in+healing

What’s Going On In Middle Grade Fiction?

 By Max Elliot Anderson

            Eleven years ago, I set out to write action adventure & mystery books for readers 8 to 12. At the time, I didn’t know the term middle grade fiction, but came to understand this was the age that had been targeted. The age group was chosen because of many previous years spent in dramatic film productions for the same ages. That experience made it more comfortable to begin writing books for a familiar audience.

            In the beginning, middle grade had its distinctives over material written for even younger readers, and the books written for high school ages known as young adult, or YA. Today, according to research and statistics, middle grade fiction books have become the largest, most popular category in children’s books.

            At the time I began writing; middle grade fiction followed certain guidelines. Interests for this age group center around family and friends. A part of them wants to stay a little kid while the other strains to grow up. It’s extremely important for these children to fit in while, at the same time, discovering who they are as individuals. And most of them have their eyes on the goal of simply surviving to high school.

            When I began writing for kids, the lines were more clearly drawn. But now, certain elements of YA have begun to creep in. The middle grade ages were clearly 8 – 12 or even 13. As a rule, they like to read and will enjoy adventures, mysteries, historical, action, fantasy, humor, and sci-fi. These readers like to read up, so the ages of main characters tend to be in the upper range, too. The characters need to face the same hopes and and fears of the readers.

            It’s also important, in middle grade fiction, to get the adults into the background, and let the plot, problem solving, and solutions come from the kids. The main character will also grow and change during the story. Strong language, or profanity, should not be used. Parents and teachers are still protective of their young readers at this age.

            Middle grade lengths will range from 20,000 to 40,000 words. In some cases, publishers are requesting substantially longer manuscripts based on some of the previously popular books with much higher word counts. My middle grade adventures and mysteries range from about 23,000 to 43,000 words. Longer middle grade books came about as a result of titles including Harry Potter, A Series of Unfortunate Events, Percy Jackson, Eragon, and others. But shorter books tend to be the norm for most middle grade fiction. Vocabulary can be a little deeper for these readers. However, graphic novels have also crept into the mix. These books incorporate more comic-type images, or pictures, and depend on fewer words.

            It used to be that the edgy, darker, and horror material was reserved for YA and adult books. However, I receive several books throughout the year which publishers send to me for possible review on my blog. A couple of recent batches were disturbing. I checked the accompanying paperwork to make sure these were actually intended for middle grade readers. They were. Subjects included stronger boy-girl relationships, zombies, vampires, witches, and the list goes on. Several of the books were quite dark and the humor was gutter. Some have even lamented that middle grade fiction today went, almost overnight, from PG to PG-13 and even R.

It is evident, from these new books, that those of us who write for middle grade readers need to continue producing material that is uplifting. Middle grade readers are impressionable, sensitive, and still forming who they’re going to be as adults. And even though they may feel invincible, they still fear things like death, strangers, accidents, a house burning down, or some other personal tragedy.

Middle grade is such a pivotal time for readers. These readers are still focused inward and what they look for in books will reflect that. Themes can range from friendships, to school, to relationships and responsibilities within the family, circle of friends, and their neighborhoods. This is the age when they will decide to become a reader or not. Shouldn’t we be doing all we can to fill the void with uplifting material for them to read?

 

 

 

Update - The Sinking of HMS Bounty

 

ARTICLE - L.A. Times Article, "How the ship Bounty fought Sandy, and lost"

http://articles.latimes.com/2013/mar/15/nation/la-na-bounty-20130316

VIDEO from the dramatic Coast Guard rescue in October, 2012

HMS Bounty Crew Rescue -

http://video.heraldtribune.com/video/1932455414001

 

When the news reports began coming in last October, I posted here about a recent visit the tall ship, HMS Bounty, had made to Navy Pier in Chicago, IL. Here again are my pictures of that great ship from its visit.

 

My adventure and mystery books for young readers
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=max+elliot+anderson

 

Grandparenting With a Purpose

My wife and I recently became new, two-time grandparents. A couple of weeks ago, one of our granddaughters was dedicated at The Moody Church in Chicago.



So we're always on the lookout for good resources. Here's one you might like. The book is called Grandparenting With a Purpose. I hope you will find it useful.

About The Book

Maybe your grandchildren are living with you. Maybe they're thousands of miles away. Their parents may be spiritually rebellious or simply neglectful of the family's spiritual life, failing to make prayer and church attendance a regular part of their routine. But even if your grandchildren's parents have established a strong Christian home, busy schedules, jobs, parenting, and all the distractions of today's world conspire to distract or even destroy the family. How can you, as a grandparent, help? God gives grandparents a sacred trust-an opportunity to imprint another generation with the message of his faithfulness. You can stand in the gap by being a godly example for your grandchildren and by praying for them. Even grandparents who already pray regularly for their grandchildren will discover creative suggestions for making the practice even more meaningful. From cell phones to photo prayer journals, you'll find tools that work for you-and for your grandchildren. Author Lillian Ann Penner provides specific examples of prayers to help you get started, such as alphabet prayers, prayers based on special scriptures, and prayers for certain holidays. You may even widen the circle, praying for other children in your life, for children who have parents in the military, and for the adults who influence your grandchildren. Regardless of how far away your grandchildren are, praying for them can bridge the distance between you and leave them with an inheritance more precious than gold.

 

Amazon Link To Buy The Book

http://www.amazon.com/Grandparenting-Purpose-Effective-Ways-Grandchildren/dp/1615076115%3FSubscriptionId%3D1QZMGW0RRJC2PX87HDR2%26tag%3Dsalranexp-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3D1615076115#_

Pirate gold - A salty sea captain - And a broken-down boat

Pirate gold - A salty sea captain - And a broken-down boat - CAPTAIN JACK'S TREASURE - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1935600141/ref=s9_psimh_gw_p14_d1_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=1CP53XNYTEBSG3GB4ZSR&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1389517282&pf_rd_i=507846

 

VIDEO

3 boys - a great storm - a deserted island - and now...smugglers!

3 boys - a great storm - a deserted island - and now...smugglers! -

Lost Island Smugglers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.amazon.com/Lost-Island-SmugglersElliotAnderson/dp/1935600028/ref=sr_1_1s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1363353428&sr=1-1&keywords=lost+island+smugglers

 

Video