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.