Review: When the Lights Go Out from Homeschooling Today Magazine

 Updated 9/11/2013
Some dates burn deeply into our collective memory forever. I will never forget where I was and what I was doing on September 11, 2001. You probably know the same. Your children, quite possibly, were not yet born before 9/11, and you will have to explain that famous date to them at an appropriate time. They need your explanation of this shocking and tragic even in America.

Max Elliot Anderson has dedicated his latest adventure fiction, When the Lights Go Out (Comfort Publishing, 2012), to “the memory of 9/11 and the people who lost their lives that day, so we never forget.” Anderson has written numerous adventure books geared for eight-to thirteen-year-old boys.

Peyton Aldrich, the central character, is the son of a US Army colonel who specializes in intelligence. Colonel Aldrich’s top-secret work leaves young Peyton curious yet proud of his father who was recently stationed at a new army base in the middle of nowhere along with his family. The colonel has an important job protecting the country from terrorists. When Peyton and his friends accidentally discover a dangerous plot on the base, they determine to stop it. Will the terrorists catch them? What will happen if the evil plan succeeds? This fast-paced story lives up to Anderson’s previous books. It will hold young readers’ attention right up to the surprise ending.

Video When the Lights Go Out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfSEkGN5q0U&feature

Books for Boys Blog http://booksandboys.blogspot.com

Marilyn Rockett is Editor in Chief of Homeschooling Today and a veteran homeschool mom of four grown sons, seven grandchildren, and one great-grandchild (so far).

Chapter 1 of 9/11 Kids Book

Read chapter 1 of When the Lights Go Out http://www.knowonder.com/2011/09/11/kids-story-when-the-lights-go-out/

Article about 9/11, kids, and a NEW book

Article about 9/11, kids, and a NEW book, 

When The Lights Go Out http://tinyurl.com/3nleqrp

5 Book Giveaway

5 copies given away of When the Lights Go Out http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/14282-when-the-lights-go-out

The best book ever!

Posted on Facebook today 9/5/11
http://www.facebook.com/max.e.anderson/posts/274740965871427

"My 12yo son has read this three times... My 10yo son was finally able to get it away from him to read it himself. He declared it the best book ever! :) Thank you!"

Help kids understand 10th anniversary of 9/11

I want to make sure you are aware of a new book, When The Lights Go Out. This is an adventure / mystery for readers 8 - 13 with a terrorist plot.

In the story, the father of the main character is able to tell his kids why he joined the army instead of going into business. He says, "After what happened on 9/11, somebody had to help keep the country safe." This opens a short discussion with his two children in which he briefly recounts the events of that day.


I found, while speaking in schools, that many children today know little or nothing about 9/11 or why it's important to them. When The Lights Go Out will help teachers, librarians, grandparents, and parents with this issue.


There is a special web page for When The Lights Go Out with lots of information, a video, and a news release. You are welcome to lift any material that might help you in communicating with your circle of influence.

Thank you

Please meet Vincent Forras, First Responder, Survivor of 9/11

Please meet Vincent Forras, First Responder, Survivor of 9/11

Vincent - 2nd from the left




As the roll out has begun on my book, When the Lights Go Out, I’ve reached out to the 9/11 families and organizations connected with that terrible event. It is critically important that we teach the next generations about what happened on that day, and why it’s also important that we never forget.

Vinny is co-founder of an organization called the Gear Up Foundation. You can learn more about it at http://www.gearupfoundation.org/  

But you should also know that he is a survivor of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center towers. He wrote to me, “For me the lights really did go out when I was buried beneath the rubble for nearly two hours in total darkness.” And he’s committed to keeping the memory of those who died on that day, alive.

Students don’t know much about it and it isn’t an important part of the curriculum. There may be pockets of areas where this isn’t true, but I’m not aware of those.

On a recent national news program, I saw some man-on-the-street interviews of young people in their late teens and early twenties. A few could explain what took place on 9/11, but sadly, most had no idea.

We can NOT allow this to continue. So I hope you’ll take a look at Vinny’s foundation. http://www.gearupfoundation.org  If nothing else, drop him a note and tell him how much you appreciate his service. Vinny, and many others like him, rushed into those towers while everyone else ran away. His email address is vforras@gearupfoundation.org  

Please tell as many people as possible about

When the Lights Go Out. In July I signed copies at ICRS in Atlanta.

Video When the Lights Go Out
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfSEkGN5q0U&feature

Then spend a few minutes at his web site. You’ll be glad you did.

Max Elliot Anderson

Contact Gear Up.
Gear Up Foundation
P.O. Box 911
South Salem, NY 10590
Phone: (631) 869-5607
Toll Free: (800) 601-3493

Amazon link for When the Lights Go Out http://www.amazon.com/When-Lights-Out-Elliot-Anderson/dp/1936695472/ref=sr_1_13?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1312034248&sr=1-13