Friday , March 29 2024
Three boys set out to expose a possible terrorist plot.

Book Review: When the Lights Go Out by Max Elliot Anderson

What do you do when you suspect your dad’s job is in jeopardy? What can you do to help prevent terrorists from carrying a possible deadly mission?

Max Elliot Anderson’s newly released When the Lights Go Out is an intriguing tale of captivating suspense designed especially for boys ages 8-12.
The main character, Peyton Aldrich, idolizes his father, who believes that after what happened on 9/11 , somebody has to help keep the country safe.

Peyton decides to train as a ranger just like his dad. He befriends two boys, Gill and Dave. Together they venture out to become rangers. Thus begins an adventure of a lifetime for the three boys.

The three boys overhear what they are sure is a terrorist plot to deliver secret weapons to the base where Aldrich’s father works.

What will happen? Will Aldrich tell his dad about what he heard? Or will he take matters into his own hands?

Aldrich and his friends react just like typical teenagers; they decide to keep what they know a secret . They are convinced with their plan of action they will expose what the terrorists are planning to do.

As I read the book, I kept thinking about the safety of the three boys. Are they going to get killed? The author does a tremendous job keeping the reader in total suspense.

What resonates well with the story is the underlying message of how well Aldrich respects his father. In our world today, that is a lost art. Too many dads or even moms do not fulfill their responsibility to be involved in the life of their children; consequently children do not have a good role model that they can look up to.

Aldrich’s respect and love for his dad is what compells him to try to take on the terrorists on his own. His decision, in my opinion is based not on being defiant, but on his desire to help his dad. This is commendable.

The author delivers a well written story that will shock the daylights out of you once you read the ending.

About Nicole Weaver

Nicole Weaver is an award-winning author. Her first trilingual book Marie and Her Friend the Sea Turtle was published in 2009. Her love for languages and other cultures resulted in publishing the award-winning book, My Sister Is My Best Friend which was published in 2011 by Guardian Angel Publishing. My Sister Is My Best Friend has won the following awards: 2012 Creative Child Awards Program consisting of moms and educators has awarded this book the 2012 PREFERRED CHOICE AWARD Kids Picture Storybooks category. 2012 Children's Literary Classics Seal of Approval 2012 Children's Literary Classics Gold Award Readers' Favorite 5 Star Review Her newest book , My Brother Is My Best Friend was also published by Guardian Angel Publishing, January 2014.

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