June Releases Clash Winner!

  

Max Elliot Anderson's book for boys, River Rampage, wins the Clash of The Titles competition for New June Releases. His film background adds dramatic action to his writing.

River Rampage by Max Elliot Anderson

  A hearty congratulations to Max!

  A special thank you to all the talented authors who were part of this fun week!

Carol Cox, author of Love in Disguise
Myra Johnson, author of A Horseman’s Gift
Terri Reed, author of The Deputy’s Duty
Louise Gouge, author of A Proper Companion

About River Rampage:
Sam Cooper and his friends have the chance of a lifetime to go rafting down the mighty Colorado River. The rains have been heavy this season, making the raging river even more treacherous. The boys become separated from the main group, their rubber raft is going flat, and now they're on their own. They have their hands full with a crusty prospector, his gold mine, a gang of outlaw bikers, and a desperate river escape on their makeshift wooden raft. Think that's the worst that could happen? Well, it isn't.

"Sam Cooper Adventures are like good, family movies . . . as an ordinary kid finds himself in exciting and extra-ordinary adventures!" Bill Myers - Author, McGee & Me

River Rampage Review
By Wayne S. Walker
Do you think that you would enjoy going down a raging river on a raft? Twelve-year-old Sam Cooper and his family have moved to Harper's Inlet on the Treasure Coast of Florida. His new friend, Tony Dodds, invites him and another friend, Tyler Peterson, to take a white-water rafting trip on the Colorado River in Utah with Tony's Uncle Harlan. After some initial hesitation Sam's parents give their permission, so Sam gets all his gear ready and Tony's father drives the boys to Moab, UT. Everything is planned to make the trip as safe as possible, but the unexpected can always happen. And with Sam, Tony, and Tyler, it usually does.
The second day out, the rope tying the boys' raft to the one ahead of it catches on a small log wedged into some rocks and snaps, leaving them stranded. Battling the raging waters in a raft that is punctured by a rock and is now taking on water, the three manage with great difficulty to bring the raft to shore in a very desolate place. Then when they try to walk out, they find themselves in a box canyon with a kindly old prospector named Gus who has found a gold mine but is trapped in by a group of motorcycle-riding claim jumpers. What can the boys and Gus do? Is anyone looking for them? Will they ever be able to escape?
If your tween boys, and girls too, like adventure and excitement, they simply have to try Max Elliot Anderson's books. I've never read one that I didn't like. There is nothing objectionable. Families are usually presented as father, mother, and children in loving relationships. That's not to say the kids in them never face any problems, but there are always appropriate solutions which meet the needs. I like the way that Sam and his friends attend church services, believe in prayer, and look to God for guidance. Yet, the tone is not "preachy" but just filled with good, clean fun. Most of Anderson's other books have had completely different characters and settings, so a series is a departure for his writing. Book number 1 of the Sam Cooper series is Lost Island Smugglers, which I have read, and book number 2 is Captain Jack's Treasure.

No wonder one of our voters says, “Max Anderson's books are always a favorite with my boys!!!”

Buy River Rampage at Barnes and Noble
Amazon and School House Publishing Home School Store

Guest Post by Gail Pallotta A former Clash of The Titles winner, Gail has published two hundred articles, several poems, one short story and two books. She's a 2004 regional writer of the year for the American Christian Writers Association.