The Great Banana Pie Caper is a film I shot several years ago. This film, and several others like it, is the reason I write adventures and mysteries for the same age group today - middle grade readers 8 - 13. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZsoWaifjmg
Hope you enjoy the film. We had a great time making it!
Don’t miss the excitement of the Decorah Live Eagle Cam. Watch an eagle pair take turns sitting on the nest. In past years, I’ve seen several fish and even a large rabbit delivered to help feed the young.
Through cold, snow, rain, ice, and wind, they stay on the nest to make sure their precious eggs stay warm.
This is book # 1 in the new Accidental Adventures Series
The Cat Burglars
Synopsis_________________________________
The Cat Burglars
Author: Max Elliot Anderson
Audience: 8 – 12; especially boys
Kurt Benson could hardly believe there had been a burglary, and right in his own neighborhood. He was helping out his friend, Riley Pletcher, whose parents owned Pletcher’s Bed and Biscuit Kennels.
Kurt thought it was odd that his neighbor’s cat, Buffy, had been staying at the kennel while the family was away on vacation. But, when he found out the houses of at least four other Pletcher’s customers had also been hit, his head started spinning.
That was before he saw the copier repairman do something odd. When he thought no one could see him, the man took a sheet of paper from a clipboard on the wall, made a copy, and quickly returned the clipboard to its hook.
Was it possible the repairman had something to do with all those burglaries?
Ghosts in the Old Attic has been released by Elk Lake Publishing. This is book #6 in the Sam Cooper Adventure Series.
Synopsis_________________________________
Ghosts In The Old Attic
Author: Max Elliot Anderson
Readers: 8 – 12
Words: 31,000
Sam Cooper is about to get the surprise of his life. His parents plan to leave Harper’s Inlet and move to Louisiana, where they will open a bed and breakfast.
When the family arrives, Sam’s cousins have some pretty wild-eyed stories to tell about a “haunted” mansion nearby. He and his cousins begin exploring the creepy place. Where were those noises coming from and the strange lights at night? There is also a rumor that the reason this place is “haunted” is because there is buried treasure hidden someplace.
As the cousins are investigating, Sam’s parents have been looking for an available property they can afford.
Sam was in for another surprise when he found out about the rundown mansion his parents finally chose to buy. Who is trying to discourage them from moving in and why?
Will the family be able to open the bed and breakfast before it’s too late, or will they lose all their money?
It's that time of year again. A time when every middle grade boy, who ever dribbled a basketball, dreams of one day finding himself out on the basketball court, with the clock winding down, the ball in is hands, and then...
At The Buzzer
Synopsis_________________________________
At the Buzzer
Author: Max Elliot Anderson
Audience: Middle Grade
Sam Cooper had rehearsed a thousand times, in the back yard, how he would win the big game, with a three point shot, and be a hero. Still, he wondered what would happen in a real game. Sam’s friends all played on the basketball team at school.
Sam was concerned about his best friend, Perry, for a couple of reasons, and he was going to do his best to help his friend.
On the way home from a survival church camp weekend, the boys’ van is nearly involved in a fatal accident with an eighteen-wheeler on a rain slick road. The boys have to confront life and death for the first time in their lives.
Later, while they practiced basketball at Sam’s house, Perry fell, resulting in a severe injury. Instantly his plans to use basketball as the ticket to his future were changed. Perry was the big man in the middle. Without him, the team had to change the way they played.
Would they be able to win the championship?
Would Chris take the final shot like he’d practiced his whole life?
Did it go in…or didn’t it? The answer will surprise you. Order your copy today!
BOOK NEWS - The Sense of Humor, Let Humor Fast Track You to Healthier, Happier Living, has been added to the resource list of the Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor
Christian Schools, Teachers, Principals, Administrators, and Librarians
Re: Christian Middle Grade Adventure & Mystery Books
Dear Christian Friends,
Most of my early life was involved in the production of Christian films at Ken Anderson Films and later at Quadrus Communications. In Late 2001, I decided to apply much of what I had learned from the production of dramatic films for kids into adventure and mystery books for middle grade readers.
Before any publishers, agents, or contracts, I began writing. As a result, I finished thirty-five manuscripts for this age group. Since then, several have been published and more are contracted. Each is written from a Christian perspective incorporating character building concepts including personal accountability & responsibility plus others.
The reason I’m writing to you today is because I’m looking for better ways to make my books known to the very children you serve.
Two new series were recently published - The Sam Cooper Adventure Series and The Accidental Adventure Series. Here’s what two other Christian authors have said about my books.
"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
I’m looking for reviewers and influencers whocan reach the maximum number of people who are working with students ages 8 - 13. Also anyone who can assist in (AR) listings for these books. If this interests you, please contact me at mander8813@aol.com and let me know how you can help.
As we mark President Ronald Reagan's 106th birthday on February 6, I'm transported back to a day during the fall of 1990. At that time I had the unique opportunity to spend much of a day with him as he visited his boyhood home in Dixon, Illinois. This turned out to be the last time he would travel there.
The original video is now housed at the Reagan Presidential Library in California. The following pictures were shot off of my TV screen from a video copy of the original material so the quality is diminished.
Along with the rest of the video crew, we were given Secret Service clearance for the day and we shadowed him where ever he went.
We began at the river where, as a lifeguard, he saved many lives. There he skipped stones on the river and talked about his experiences. We walked up to the thirdfloor gym where he had played basketball. Mr. Reagan took a few shots from the free-throw line.
We covered him with video cameras as crowds pushed toward him and made the Secret Service people nervous. For most of the day, I was never more than inches or a few feet away from one of the greatest men I believe this country has ever had as its leader.
A group of schoolchildren recited the Pledge of Allegiance as he stood out in front of the house. He went to the garage in the back of the house and then on to the statute of himself.
Mr. Reagan spoke to a full house that had gathered in the high school gym. There he was presented with a letter jacket. He proceeded to the football field and threw passes to some of the team.
The most unique experience came when we traveled to the actual house. There we set up for the only video interview he gave that day while all the major news media assembled outside, and news helicopters hovered in the air. I was able to ask him a number of personal questions about growing up in that house.
Several weeks after the interview, President Reagan was kind enough to send me a personal letter of thanks.
Justin thought he’d be spending just another boring summer vacation. His friend Zack always did something exciting. Then he made everyone jealous when he came back to school in the fall and told about his adventures.
But, when the phone rang, Justin could hardly believe what he heard. Zack was inviting him and their friend Howie on a river rapids rafting trip.
The boys thought that’d be the most exciting part of their vacation, but were they ever wrong.
After their raft became separated from the main group, the boys were on their own. They beached their rubber raft for the night and that’s when things really began to happen.
Was it possible the old prospector had actually found gold?
And why did a motorcycle gang threaten the old man?
Could the boys get him into town in time to file his claim?
Reviews
Reviewer : Laura at Lighthouse Academy
Sam Cooper and his friends believe the rest of their summer is going to be boring after what they experienced earlier after school let out, but when Tony’s Uncle calls and invites Tony and his two best friends (Sam and Tyler) on a float trip down the river on rafts, Sam and Tyler both jump at the chance. Sam’s parents decide it won’t be too big of a risk, especially when they are assured that the raft the boys ride on will be the supply raft and it will be securely tethered to another one, piloted by Tony’s uncle—and experienced river rapids guide.
But that isn’t the way it pans out. The raft becomes unattached the second day on the float trip when they hit class three rapids, and the supply raft springs several leaks, rendering it worthless. Not only that, but everyone goes on, leaving the three boys behind. They set up camp, but then decide to go looking for help when a hooved animal with a bell wanders by, since that means that civilization must be near.
Instead, Sam and his friends find an old prospector whose discovered gold. And claim jumpers are hot on his tail. Sam and his friends try to devise a plan to get the old prospector and themselves to safety before the claim jumpers come in with guns blazing—and hopefully find their river party at the same time.
Readers of any of Max Elliot Anderson’s books know that the books are guaranteed to be exciting, suspenseful, and geared toward boys. RIVER RAMPAGE isn’t any different. It is the third book in the A Sam Cooper Adventure series. RIVER RAMPAGE easily stands alone, but readers will want to read the first two books, Lost Island Smugglers and Captain Jack’s Treasure to be brought up to date on Sam’s summer adventures so far.
Recommended for young adults, tweeners, and especially reluctant readers as that is who Max targets. My son has been a fan of Max Elliot Anderson's books since he was eight and a reluctant reader. My son is now twenty, reads a lot, and he still loves Max's books.
********************* In this book we meet Tony’s uncle. Tony is one of Sam’s best friends. Tony’s uncle is a white water river guide. He invites Tony’s friends to go rafting with him.He talks to their parents, assuring them he will keep the boys safe. Their raft will be tied to his. This sounds safe enough so they consent. The second day out on the river things go horribly wrong. The rope breaks tethering them to the guide raft. They get left behind.They make it to land and find an old miner. The old miner has some claim jumpers trying to take his claim from him. The boys jump in to try to help him. Things go from bad to worse. Read the book to find out if they make their way out. Find out what true courage is and how prayer can help in any situation. Once again this was a book that I couldn’t put down. Max Anderson’s writing style is simple enough for reluctant readers and has all of the elements of mystery and adventure that will grab them and hold them until the end of the book.
I am looking forward to the next book in the series This Property is Condemned. It is due out some time next year. Go to Max's website and check out everything he has to offer. Just because it says Books and Boys it doesn't mean it is not for girls. My female students love these books as much as the boys. Max Anderson was a reluctant reader and he knows what will hook them. So what are you waiting for? Check the website and his books out.- Sandra Stiles Amazon Link
Using his extensive experience in dramatic film, video, and TV commercial production, Max Elliot Anderson brings that same heart-pounding, visual excitement to his middle grade adventures & mysteries for readers 8 and up
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