Action-Adventures & Mysteries For Middle Grade Readers. After all, readers are the leaders others follow.
So far it’s working! No squirrel pirates have robbed any more tomatoes from our garden, the past two days, since putting a pan of water out for them. And we’re finally expecting rain this weekend. Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B002BLP3EE
Bandits! That’s what I call them. Bandits! Sure, it’s been incredibly dry in Northern Illinois lately. And we have a lot of squirrels in our backyard.
Recently these little varmints have been scaling the fence around our garden, by crawling up the support poles...
...in order to steal green or ripe tomatoes. So far, I think they’ve eaten more of them than we have.
The worst part is, they just take a few bites and leave the rest. I can only conclude they’re looking for a source of liquid. Come on rain!
And look what I see out my window.
Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B002BLP3EE
I grew up as a struggling, reluctant reader myself. This year, you might want to do what this teacher did concerning books her students were excited to read. She writes:
Dear Teacher,
My name is Sandra Stiles. I am a middle school Language Arts teacher in Bradenton, Florida. I have always had a passion for reading. That passion doesn’t always transfer to your own children. My daughter was a struggling reader. It took another teacher to introduce her to an author whose books she devoured.
I am here to tell you about that author who has my students reading and fighting over his books. Max Elliot Anderson has been one of my favorite authors for several years. Not only do I love his books, but my students love them as well. I have three classes of students who have a remedial reading class, then they come to me for Language Arts.
When I did my first book pass with my students I made sure to have one of Max’s books in each pile to introduce them to his books. Both boys and girls love his books. Almost all of his books are not only filled with adventure, but also mystery.
One of my lowest readers has made it a goal to read all of Max’s books I have on my shelves. He has read eight books so far. The really cool part is that he started talking to some of the girls in the class. Now he has them reading them, too.
Max has two major series, “The Sam Cooper” series and “The Accidental Adventures” series. Both of these have characters that all kids - boys and girls alike - will love. There are also several standalone titles.
I can’t say enough about his books. I highly recommend them to classrooms everywhere.
Sandra Stiles - NBCT - ELA teacher/Dept. Chair
These books are readily available on this Amazon Author’s Page
https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B002BLP3EE
Air "quality," due to the smoke from #wildfires, is very poor today in Northern Illinois. This picture shows houses just across our street.
I’ve been informed my story, Blitz's Epic Journey, will be included in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Best Dog Ever which goes on sale at retailers August 18, 2026.
This true story comes from back when I was just a kid and our prized, purebred Boxer was stolen. Missing for many months, and then finding his way home, it’s an incredible story every dog lover will love and appreciate.
This year, we had the opportunity to observe something too many of us take for granted. We first noticed it with the arrival of a pair of robins just outside out living room window.
It began with the intricate design of a beautifully engineered nest.
At first it appeared as if the birds had abandoned the project because we didn't see them for several days. But later, I raised my camera up above the nest and took this picture.
After that, the birds took turns constantly sitting on the nest until...
What a miracle of creation!
Amazon Author's Page Adventures & Mysteries for kids: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B002BLP3EE
REVIEW: Tracy’s Choices by Max Elliot Anderson is a powerful, sobering nonfiction account (sometimes described with semi-autobiographical or journal-like elements) that follows the real-life story of Tracy Eichman, the first person in Illinois convicted and imprisoned for knowingly attempting to transmit HIV/AIDS.
The book traces Tracy’s path from a seemingly ordinary middle-class upbringing in Rockford, Illinois, through a series of increasingly destructive choices. It begins with early alcohol use, escalates to peer-pressured drug experimentation in high school (marijuana, pills, then harder substances like heroin and cocaine), leads to dropping out of school, street life as a prostitute to fund her addiction, involvement with a biker gang, repeated arrests, abuse, and eventually the devastating impact of AIDS.
Anderson doesn’t sensationalize the story for shock value. Instead, he presents it straightforwardly and factually, interspersing details of Tracy’s experiences with broader information on the realities of addiction, risky behaviors, and their consequences. The narrative highlights how small, seemingly harmless decisions compound over time, leading to profound personal and physical destruction. It’s a stark warning rather than entertainment.
A turning point comes through her arrest by Lt. Jim Mays, a Christian officer whose compassion and faith play a key role in Tracy’s conversion. She finds redemption, forgiveness, and purpose in her later years—reaching out to warn other young people—despite the irreversible toll of her earlier choices and health struggles. The Governor eventually grants her a pardon so she can return home, and the story underscores themes of grace, responsibility (“You are Responsible for You”), and the possibility of transformation even amid tragedy.
Strengths
Overall Recommendation
4 out of 5 stars. Tracy’s Choices is a convicting, compassionate, and ultimately hopeful book. It’s not light reading, but that’s precisely its strength. In an era when some downplay the risks of substance use or casual sex, Tracy’s unfiltered story serves as a compelling cautionary tale. Parents, youth leaders, educators, and teens themselves would benefit from it. It drives home that while bad influences exist, personal responsibility and the offer of redemption remain central. Highly recommended for its intended audience as a tool for wise decision-making.
Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0938447173
Have you used AI to search for authors or books for your children? My favorite is Grok, but there are several available. Even Google has an AI option connected to their normal search bar. Simply type in - Tell me about author Max Elliot Anderson - and see what happens.
Here’s a little nature story for your Monday afternoon. We have a tree in our back yard that surprises me every spring when it comes back to life. That’s because rodents are all the time going inside the trunk, which is all rotted out, and scratching more of it out. We had a wind storm and rain earlier, so I went out to pick up sticks from our other trees. I noticed a clump of leave in the trunk of this one, put my gloved hand in there, and something gray jumped a little, kind of like you would do if you were poked unexpectedly. Turns out there’s a squirrel nest in there, that grey blob is the mother, and soon, if not already, there will be a litter of babies in there, too.
It’s not unusual for a #bird to crash into our sliding door in the den, even though we have things on the glass to help them see it isn’t open. A few days ago, this little guy slammed into the door, bounced off, and lay motionless on the patio. I went out and picked him up, not knowing if he was alive or not. He was still struggling to breath and both eyes were closed. I took him inside and held him for several minutes. First he opened one eye, and later the second. When it was clear he was coming back around, I took him out and let him go. Others have hit that door and not been so lucky.
April is NationalHumorMonth in the US. It’s an annual observance that runs the entire month of April, kicking off on April 1 (April Fools’ Day). It was founded in 1976 by humorist Larry Wilde to highlight the positive effects of laughter and #humor on health and well-being.
Start your celebration with “The Sense of Humor” - Let Humor Fast Track You to Healthier, Happier Living
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1942513976
Max Elliot Anderson has done it again with Shadow, a gripping middle-grade mystery and adventure that feels like a cinematic ride from start to finish. If you've ever loved classic tales like Old Yeller or Where the Red Fern Grows, but crave more action, suspense, and modern twists, this book is a perfect fit—especially for reluctant readers aged 8–13 (boys and girls alike).
The story centers on Bobby Taylor, a boy who's dreamed of having his own dog for as long as he can remember. When he spots a neglected, pitiful dog chained in the backyard of a rundown house on his way to school, he quietly "adopts" the animal in his heart, naming him Shadow. What starts as a simple act of kindness quickly spirals into something far more dangerous. Shadow isn't just any dog—he's tied to secrets, threats, and a web of mystery that pulls Bobby into high-stakes trouble involving danger, twists, and unexpected alliances.
Anderson's signature style shines here: fast-paced chapters, vivid "movie-like" scenes, and cliffhangers that make it nearly impossible to put down. The narrative moves briskly (around 200 pages), blending heartwarming moments of the boy-and-his-dog bond with genuine peril and clever plot turns. Young readers will root for Bobby's courage and resourcefulness while feeling the emotional pull of his connection to Shadow.
What I appreciated most:
If you're looking for a book that hooks reluctant readers with nonstop action while sneaking in themes of loyalty, compassion, and bravery, Shadow delivers. Five stars from me—highly recommended for tweens, dog lovers, and anyone who enjoys a thrilling, feel-good story with real heart.
Whether you're a parent hunting for engaging reads or a young reader tired of slow plots, grab this one. Max Elliot Anderson continues to prove why his action-adventures stand out in the middle-grade world.
Amazon:
If you have a struggling - reluctant reader, or just one who would rather play video games than prick up a book and read, what happened with this mother and her son might encourage you to try one of these adventures and mysteries.
One of the most rewarding aspects of publishing books for kids, is when I hear back from a reader, parent, or teacher. Here’s a classic from the parent of a reluctant boy reader. This mother recounted what happened when her son began reading one of my books.
She said, “I was sitting in the family room the other day when my very reluctant reader son came storming into the room. He had been reading your book, LEGEND OF THE WHITE WOLF. He walked up to where I was sitting, and slammed the book onto the coffee table. ‘I know what that guy is trying to do,’ he fumed.”
“Who?”
“The guy who wrote that book,” he pointed in defiance to the book on the table. “I know what he’s doing.”
“What?”
“He’s trying to get me to read the next chapter.”
“What do you mean?”
“’Well look.’ He picked up the book and turned to the end of the chapter he had just finished. ‘Listen.’”
“Then he read the cliffhanger ending to that chapter, slapped the book closed, and said, ‘See, he’s just trying to make me read the next chapter!’ Then he stomped off to his room and did exactly that.”
She went on to tell me that whatever I was doing, to please continue, because it was working with her boy.
My books are fast-paced. They have shorter sentences, and I don’t spend a lot of time on details. The books are filled with humor, suspense, and heart-pounding action. These are reasons why kids tell me that reading one of my books is like being in an exciting or scary movie.
This is a link to my Amazon Author page with lots of information about these books. https://www.amazon.com/stores/Max-Elliot-Anderson/author/B002BLP3EE?ref=ap_rdr&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=14da8dff-d100-4000-afee-7baeeecfe764
The Accidental Adventure series is a collection of middle-grade action-adventure novels written by Max Elliot Anderson. Targeted primarily at reluctant readers (especially boys aged 8–13), the fast-paced, cinematic stories emphasize high-stakes excitement, humor, and positive moral themes without graphic violence, romance, or heavy supernatural elements.
Titles include: The Cat Burglars, Funny Money Mystery, The Secret of Grandmother’s Grandfather Clock, Summer Camp Trouble, Danger Mountain, and Shadow Of The Fat Man.
Fun Fact
Anderson grew up hating to read until adventure comics hooked him. He now writes specifically to “turn the video-game generation into bookworms.”
Preview on Youtube:
youtube.com/watch?v=XzJP7cvB9KI
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Max-Elliot-Anderson/author/B002BLP3EE?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=82c5d41f-78c0-49c9-a40f-59deda9b7cd8
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