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.