Stop the Slip: Reducing Slips, Trips and Falls by Thom Disch

Genre: Non-fiction

Source: I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

When I was asked to read and review this book I said yes not because this is a topic I just can’t get enough of. I said yes because my mother who lives with us has had several falls.  Two years ago  she fell  just three days after I got home from a rehab facility where I had been recuperating from double knee replacement.  The root that tripped her was smaller than one-eighth inch in diameter.

According to the author falls are often seen as humorous, until it happens to you. Studies show that there are more falls among the young due to the fact that the older people try to be more careful because of the high risk of injury.

The author also gave excellent advice for reducing the risk of falls and injuries.  Footwear has been one of the major causes of slips. People prefer to look fashionable instead of worrying about safety by wearing shoes that may be less fashionable and yet safer.

The author not only gives us authentic situations in which we can see ourselves and others. He gives tips for preventing some of these slips and falls. Some of them seem common sense. Some of them are things we never think about.  How many people think about the possibility causing them to slip or fall? Very few. We see our pets as our companions. A co-worker of mine fell two days ago, tripped up by her dog. She ended up in the ER.  Some things can be prevented if we pay closer attention when we walk. Several years ago while walking to our school’s office I stepped on the metal surrounding our outdoor mat and flipped my ankle breaking it.  I was in a rush and not paying attention to where I was walking. I actually had a book in my hand. This is distracted walking. It cost me eight week in a wheelchair.

The author has provided several resources to  help you. One of those is a home Audit checklist. This is a valuable book. The information provided could save a life or prevent a fall.  I am recommending this book to everyone because slip and fall is not an older person’s problem. It is an every person problem.

This Property is Condemned by Max Elliot Anderson

Genre:  Middle Grade, Adventure, Mystery
Source:  I purchased a copy

Sam Cooper and his friends Tony and Tom find themselves in a terrible predicament. Riding their bikes down the steepest hill in Harper’s Inlet Sam Cooper realizes he has no breaks. He is riding a bike his father picked up out of the trash for him. Sam is sure that this can’t turn out good in any way. His friends keep telling him to land in the grass and it will be okay. At the bottom of the hill Sam hits the fence and is thrown backward over his friend’s head. This turned out to be extremely good in many ways. As Sam picks himself up he sees a sign that reads, ‘This property condemned”. As always, Sam has to find out more. He learns the old mansion belongs to an elderly lady who lives in the place called Remington Mansion. Her husband had built the house.  Now someone is trying to take it away. Can Sam and his friends save the day again?

This was a very intense read for me. Every time there was some sort of danger I found myself sitting on the edge of my couch, rocking back and forth.  The author does a wonderful job of creating realistic characters, and enough tension to keep you turning page after page.  I can’t speak highly enough about the Sam Cooper Series. I have loved each and every one of the books in the series.  Highly recommended, especially for that reluctant reader in your life.

At the Buzzer - Max Elliot Anderson

Genre:  Middle Grade, Adventure, Mystery

Source: I purchased a copy

This is the fifth book in the Sam Cooper Adventure. Sam Cooper and his friends are awaiting the beginning of the basketball season. Sam keeps having the same dream. They are on the basketball court. It comes down to him making the winning three point shot. The crowd screams.  In reality the star of the team is his best friend Perry.  Perry is the tallest person on their team. He plays center and Same plays point guard. Sam has been working on making three point shots from anywhere on the court.  Sam has a bigger concern.  Perry knows he is good. He believes he is so good that he shouldn't have to worry about homework. He is sure that with his talent, if he fails a class they will let him play anyway. He sees no use for education. He knows he is going to be a star and make millions. He doesn't need to learn anything else.  Unfortunately his father feels the same way.  But what happens when a freak accident takes him out of the game?

I could relate to this book so much. I taught at a school where the international students were semi-pro sports players.  I had a tennis player tell me he didn't need to learn English or pass my class because he was going to be a tennis star. It didn't matter what I said to him.  I asked him what would happen if he injured himself in an accident or something and could no longer play. His response was shocking. He said he'd kill himself.  I asked him if he thought he was of so little value that his life didn't matter? I told him with that attitude he would never go pro because those looking for his talent would consider him high risk. He told me that I didn't know what I was talking about because I was "just a teacher".  I told him that he could always coach others if he loved the sport so much. He left my class that year barely passing my class. I figured I wouldn't see him again. The next year I had another student just like him, different sport.  This young man looked at the other student and threw my speech at him. I was in shock. He realized that no matter what we do in life we are a team of people, not an island.  

This book is important for kids everywhere to read this book to see what decisions Perry makes.  I absolutely love all of Max Anderson's books. They are full of important yet gentle lessons.

Funny Money by Max Elliot Anderson

Genre:  Middle Grade, Mystery, Adventure
Source: I purchased a copy

The summer is over and Kurt, Jordan, and Riley have moved on to another job. Kurt's uncle runs a bakery and Kurt and his friends are working for him making deliveries.  Every the thinker, Jordan comes up with a plan to make deliveries easier they connect two bikes to an old cart and add a battery powered motor to it with the help of their friend Emmett.  Now they can not only get up hills faster, but get away from the boys from school who are determined to bully them.
Kurt's uncle hurts his back and so Kurt tries to help out more around the bakery. One of the things he does is spends the night in a room they have for him above the bakery. It makes it easier for him to work later and get up earlier to make deliveries before school.  It isn't log before Kurt begins to notice something strange going on.  The vacant building across from the bakery has some new occupants that seem to only show up at night and seem to bring in a lot of unusual boxes.  At school in history they are learning about currency and counterfeiters.  This of course gets Kurt to thinkinng, especially when he learns that several businesses around town have been hit with funny money. Kurt gets it into his head that there is something strange with the business across the street and he's sure there must be some connection to the funny money.  Now all he has to do is convince his friends and come up with a plan.

Once again we have a wonderful mystery for kids to involve themselves in.

The Cat Burglars by Max Elliot Anderson

Genre: Middle Grade, Adventure, Mystery
Source: I purchased a copy

Like all of Max Elliot Anderson's books, this one kept me reading from beginning to end. Kurt and his two best friends Jordan and Riley are spending the summer working for Riley's father at the Bed and Biscuit, a kennel.  Some of their clients leave their cats there daily. The Kitty daycare has brought business in. Riley's father is increasing the space in his kennels and is having a Christmas in July for his clients.  There is a problem.  Several people in the neighborhood have returned from vacations to find their homes have been burgled. Unfortunately most of those people had housed their pet at the Bed and Biscuit.  Is there a connection?  Kurt thinks there is.  But what can he and his friends do to catch the burglars and save the "Bed and Biscuit"?

One of the things I enjoy about these books is that even though there are several books in this series they all read like stand alone books.  The mysteries are simple enough with enough twists and turns that even though I think I have it figured out I haven't. These are high interest for those who might not think they like to read.  Looking forward to reading several more of these.

Ghosts in the Old Attic by Max Elliot Anderson

Genre: Middle Grade, Adventure, Mystery

Source: I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Sam Cooper’s parents are moving the family to Louisiana. They want to open and bed and breakfast. Until they can find the perfect house, they are staying with his cousins Scooter and Shelley.  Louisiana is known for its ghosts and pirates.  Sam’s cousin loves telling Sam many stories. He even takes him to what he deems a haunted house.  When Sam hears strange noises and sees strange sights he can’t explain he’s ready to leave.  Scooter wants to go back.  As luck would have it, Sam’s parents find a house they can afford with the charm they want. Yep, you guessed it. It is the old historic mansion that Sam’s cousin believes is haunted.  If it isn’t haunted, then why would someone be trying to keep them out of the house?  Loved all the twists and turns in this book.  The twist at the end was wonderful.    I have read several of the Sam Cooper series and have several on my school shelves. I highly recommend not only these books, but all of this author’s books. It is always a pleasure to read and review them.

Shadow of the Fat Man by Max Elliot Anderson

Genre: Adventure

Source: I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Kurt is trying to earn money to buy a car by the time he reaches high school. He helps out Mr. Weaver at his hardware store. Mr. Weaver isn’t real fond of Kurt’s friends Riley and Jordan. They don’t seem to be as motivated as Kurt is.  Mr. Weaver needs the boys to clean his basement. They need to organize it and take inventory. The basement is shared with the restaurant next door. When the boys don’t finish by closing time, Mr. Weaver locks up. He tells Kurt to make sure he locks up and sets the alarm when he leaves.  Kurt can’t wait to show his friends the secret room he found while cleaning.  While in the basement they hear voices and realize it is coming from the restaurant. They over hear a crime being planned.  It seems once again trouble has found Kurt. How do you stop a crime when you don’t know when, where, or how it is going to happen, and you can’t even describe the criminals.  I really loved this one.  I kept holding my breath because the action is so strong in this one.   I really enjoy all of his books because they have not only the adventure aspect, but, some sort of mystery to them.  Once again I have to say this is a great book.

Danger Mountain by Max Elliot Anderson

Genre: Adventure

Source: I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

After the adventure at camp, Kurt’s father decides to take him with him on business to Colorado. The idea is that Kurt will stay with his cousin. That way he surely can’t get into any trouble. His father guesses wrong. When Kurt his cousin and two others witness  something they shouldn’t while on a hike in the mountains, things turn deadly. They have men chasing them, there are wild animals and the only way to escape is to climb higher.  The twist on this one was absolutely wonderful.  There is so much packed into these small books. I learned so much about hiking in the mountains just from reading the book.  Because it is non-stop action I have several reluctant readers I believe this will  interest.

Summer Camp Trouble by Max Elliot Anderson

Genre: Adventure, Middle Grade, Mystery

Source: I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Kurt and his friends can’t wait to go to summer camp. It is a Christian based camp. When a spoiled rich kid flies into camp in his father’ s helicopter, Kurt and his friends pray the kid doesn’t end up in their tribe. They see right away that Rudy is going to be trouble. He has suitcases full of candy to buy anything he wants. No matter what happens, or what havoc Rudy causes, Kurt is determined to be nice to him. When a fire starts, the question that the counselors asked one night becomes very real. “Would you be willing to lay down your life for another?”   The action never stops in these books.  I felt sorry for Kurt’s parents. It seems like no matter what he does, trouble just seems to find him.

The Secret of Grandmother’s Grandfather Clock by Max Elliot Anderson

The Accidental Adventures of Kurt Benson and His Friends, Riley and Jordan Series

Genre: Adventure, Mystery

Source:  I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

This author knows how to write stories that kids, especially boys, will love. They are just as popular with my girls.   I was familiar with his Sam Cooper series, but not this one.  The author graciously sent me books three through 6. Kurt Benson is the main character.  When his family receives a call one day telling them that Kurts grandfather has died.  Kurt soon learns that something may have caused his death. His grandfather had been a pilot and Kurt belongs to a flying club. The way he uses clues to help solve the mystery of what is going on in his grandfather’s town and what truly happened to his grandfather will keep you reading.

First Review of the New Year: The Phantom Vale by Alfred M. Struthers

Genre: Middle Grade, Mystery
Source: I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Nathan Cole and Gina McDermott are quickly becoming two of my favorite book characters. Nathan's family inherited a bookcase full of old book from his grandfather. Each book is an old unsolved mystery. In the first book, "The Case of Secrets" we are introduced to Nathan and Gina and this special bookcase. After Nathan and Gina solve a 150 year old mystery in the first book, they and their families are hounded by the media. Their parents decide they need to get away from them all. They head up to a cabin owned by Nathan's uncle.  Before he can get everything packed a book from his dresser falls to the floor. Nathan tries a variety of things to get the book to stay. It isn't until they are in the car that he sees the book in the window and rushes back in to grab it. For some reason the book is letting him know he needs to take it with them.

His first night in the cabin he reads part of the book and discovers that the town they are staying in has its own mystery. In the late 1800s a railroad car went missing.  Nathan and Gina set out to figure out what has happened to the car. Along the way they are given clues by an old man named Wynn. What is his connection. Why does the city officer constantly follow them and Wynn around?  How can they solve this mystery when everyone in the world is looking for them and thinks if they find them they will become famous?  The clues are give through the research the kids conduct. Gina is a fan of puzzles and this mystery is a great puzzle. I wasn't as quick to make the connections as some may be.  Once I started the book I could not let it go.  This is a series you must read. I just hope the author can pop them out fast enough.