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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

168 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2012

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About the author

Max Elliot Anderson

37 books26 followers
Max Elliot Anderson grew up as a struggling reader. After surveying the market, he sensed the need for action-adventures and mysteries for readers 8 – 13, especially boys.

Using his extensive experience in the production of dramatic motion pictures, videos, and television commercials, Mr. Anderson brings that same visual excitement and heart-pounding action to his stories. Each book has different characters, setting, and plot.

Ten middle grade books are published, ten more are under contract, with several additional manuscripts completed. Young readers have reported that reading one of his books is like actually being in an exciting movie. He is also a short story staff writer for Knowonder,com Magazine.

Books for Boys Blog: http://booksandboys.blogspot.com
Author Web Site: http://www.maxbooks.9k.com/index_1.html
My Youtube Videos http://www.youtube.com/user/Maxbooks1...

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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
Profile Image for Jenny Rose.
Author 1 book7 followers
December 12, 2017
Sam Cooper, Tyler and Tony have already been stranded on an island and helped Captain Jack restore his boat. Of course boys never have enough adventure, so they were excited to be invited by Tony and his uncle to go on a river rafting trip. Even though safety precautions were taken, the rapids have their own dangers. After their raft is separated from the group, they manage to make land on a small beach. Sam and his friends decide to hike inland to try to find a way back to civilization. The three boys run into a gold prospector and a biker gang with claim jumping in mind. It’s going to take team work and ingenuity to survive.

The Sam Cooper Adventures by Max Elliot Anderson take me back to my childhood of reading Hardy Boys mysteries. Even as an adult I find it hard to put these books down. If you know an 8-12 year old looking for an exciting read, you’ve got to get them this series.
Profile Image for Wayne Walker.
878 reviews21 followers
June 29, 2012
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, which I have not.
Profile Image for Laura.
Author 39 books655 followers
September 14, 2012
Title: RIVER RAMPAGE
Author: Max Elliot Anderson
Publisher: Port Yonder Press
ISBN: 978-1-935600-15-2
Genre: Young adult

Sam Cooper and his friends believe the rest of their summer is going to be boring after what they experienced earlier after school let out, but when Tony’s Uncle calls and invites Tony and his two best friends (Sam and Tyler) on a float trip down the river on rafts, Sam and Tyler both jump at the chance. Sam’s parents decide it won’t be too big of a risk, especially when they are assured that the raft the boys ride on will be the supply raft and it will be securely tethered to another one, piloted by Tony’s uncle—and experienced river rapids guide.

But that isn’t the way it pans out. The raft becomes unattached the second day on the float trip when they hit class three rapids, and the supply raft springs several leaks, rendering it worthless. Not only that, but everyone goes on, leaving the three boys behind. They set up camp, but then decide to go looking for help when a hooved animal with a bell wanders by, since that means that civilization must be near.

Instead, Sam and his friends find an old prospector whose discovered gold. And claim jumpers are hot on his tail. Sam and his friends try to devise a plan to get the old prospector and themselves to safety before the claim jumpers come in with guns blazing—and hopefully find their river party at the same time.

Readers of any of Max Elliot Anderson’s books know that the books are guaranteed to be exciting, suspenseful, and geared toward boys. RIVER RAMPAGE isn’t any different. It is the third book in the A Sam Cooper Adventure series. RIVER RAMPAGE easily stands alone, but readers will want to read the first two books, Lost Island Smugglers and Captain Jack’s Treasure to be brought up to date on Sam’s summer adventures so far.

Recommended for young adults, tweeners, and especially reluctant readers as that is who Max targets. My son has been a fan of Max Elliot Anderson's books since he was eight and a reluctant reader. My son is now twenty, reads a lot, and he still loves Max's books. $9.95. 168 pages.
Profile Image for Glenn Haggerty.
Author 4 books277 followers
July 9, 2013
After their raft is destroyed by Colorado River rapids, twelve-year-old, Sam Cooper and his friends Tyler and Tony are stranded in a remote section of Utah. With boy-scout like skill and courage, the trio save some provisions, set up camp and await rescue. However, rescue is slow in coming. While exploring alternative ways out of the wilderness, the boys come upon an old prospector (Gus) who is being terrorized by an outlaw motorcycle gang. The prospector leads the boys to his secret mine and confides he’s made a gold strike. However, the motorcycle gang threatens to steal the old prospector’s gold and jump his claim. Sam and his friends agree to help Gus and employing everything boyish, devise a plan to escape from the criminals that includes sugar in their gas tanks, a series of traps and construction of a homemade raft. A running battle and escape attempt ensues.

River Rampage provides action, adventure and suspense that kept me reading and should keep boys reading as well. I particularly like the way the author captures clever, boyish thinking and foibles as well as providing great descriptions of an amazing setting. The subtle spiritual component and world view should encourage readers without overpowering them. The easy readability makes this book perfect for boys aged eight and up. I give it five stars.

Glenn Haggerty Author
Profile Image for J.D. Means.
Author 3 books10 followers
July 1, 2012
River Rampage is an incredibly fast paced and well written book that has more twists and turns then the Wild Colorado River. Traveling with Tony, Sam and Tyler is an action packed adventure that takes you on one of the fastest and most treacherous rivers in the world. After the first day, they are separated from the rest of the group and have to survive, where many don't. Along the way, they meet many new and even more dangerous surprises. Only through their quick wits and sheer determination can they hope to make it back home alive. With things getting steadily worse as they go along, do they have it in them to make it home?

I couldn't put this book down till I knew if they make the journey. What started as an adventure, quickly became a battle to live. With each turned page, it seemed things got more involved, each new surprise, more harrowing, and almost impossible for the boys to live to tell the tale.

By the end, surviving the raging river is the least of their problems as the odds against them mount.

Max Elliot Anderson has crafted a delicious tale that is enjoyable to the last bite
Profile Image for Sandra Stiles.
Author 1 book82 followers
November 23, 2012
In this book we meet Tony’s uncle. Tony is one of Sam’s best friends. Tony’s uncle is a white water river guide. He invites Tony’s friends to go rafting with him. He talks to their parents, assuring them he will keep the boys safe. Their raft will be tied to his. This sounds safe enough so they consent. The second day out on the river things go horribly wrong. The rope breaks tethering them to the guide raft. They get left behind. They make it to land and find an old miner. The old miner has some claim jumpers trying to take his claim from him. The boys jump in to try to help him. Things go from bad to worse. Read the book to find out if they make their way out. Find out what true courage is and how prayer can help in any situation. Once again this was a book that I couldn’t put down. Max Anderson’s writing style is simple enough for reluctant readers and has all of the elements of mystery and adventure that will grab them and hold them until the end of the book.

In accordance with the FCC rules: I received a copy of this book free in exchange for my honest review
Profile Image for Cheri.
7 reviews1 follower
July 11, 2012
My child just finished reading River Rampage by Max Elliott Anderson. He really liked the book. It was exciting enough to keep him reading as he wanted to see what would happen next. It got his attention from the first few pages.

He said that the favorite part, for him, of this book was that Sam, the main character, when praying to God, remembered people in the Bible that God helped. Some examples were Noah, Jonah, and David.

He read this book out of order from the rest of the series. He said that it was so good he wants to read the rest of the series now. He is excited to see what happened first.

Overall, he said he would recommend this book to guys his age because it has a little bit of violence since bad guys are involved. He thinks it would appeal to mostly boys but some girls might like it too.

Profile Image for Cindy Smith.
Author 11 books200 followers
November 10, 2012
This book tells the adventures of three boys on a rafting trip. I enjoyed the way Max described the interactions of the boys. At first they faked courage so the others wouldn't think they were scared, which I believe is typical boy behavior. It was as fast-paced as a whitewater raft ride. Sam's use of the available materials to save them was great. I was also pleased to see them all praying. It is well written and would appeal to young boys.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews