Spotlight: The Rubber Band Stretches – Rocky’s Story by Christy Hoss

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About the Book

Book: The Rubber Band Stretches – Rocky’s Story
Author: Christy Hoss
Genre: Middle Grade Novel
Release date: May 8, 2021

Foster kid Rocky “Roadkill” Espinosa, drummer for the Rubber Band, chooses Elvis for his 4^th grade living biography report. With little money to create a costume, Rocky believes he’ll be the worst Elvis impersonation ever, destined to fail.

When his ex-con father Eduardo, sneaks into his life demanding attention, Rocky’s best friend and lead guitar for the band, Eddie, comes to his rescue. Eddie involves the entire band in Rocky’s protection to be “secret service” and comedic chaos erupts.

After the Rubber Band performs its first set at the mayor’s 50^th birthday party, Rocky mysteriously disappears. The band realizes it’s no longer about fun and games. Friends and family are what matter most in life. The bond of the band demands that secrets be revealed.

Will friends, foster or blood family win the battle for Rocky’s future?

BOOK EXCERPT ONE

Principal Haymaker insists on making a big deal about our victorious debut by bringing the band up to the front of Monday morning’s all-school assembly.

“Wildwood Elementary, let’s welcome The RUUUBBBBER BAAAND!”

Principal Haymaker tries to imitate a radio announcer, but I think he should just stick to being a principal.

The five of us walk up front and stand facing the entire student body applauding and cheering, as they sit crisscross applesauce on the floor before us. I fix my eyes on the basketball hoop at the other end of the multipurpose room. Becca is enjoying the spotlight. The rest of the band is smiling while I hope this will be over soon.

When the noise calms down to a quiet whisper, Principal Haymaker puts us on the spot. “Sunday’s newspaper featured these talented students after they took second place in the Sun Valley Talent Contest on Saturday.”

More applause as he holds up the front page, displaying the photo of me drumming.

“I had no idea our little school hid such a talented band.”

I lose interest in the basketball hoop. Instead, my eyes fix on Mr. Dubrowski, the school’s band director.

READ ALL THE EXCERPTS

Excerpt One (Mine)

Click here to get your copy! The book is also available on Kindle Unlimited.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Christy caught the writing bug in second grade after winning a prize for a five-page story about her dog, Noodles. Mrs. Olson told her she was destined to be a writer and that dream never left her thoughts. After teaching elementary school for fifteen years, Christy fulfilled her childhood dream with her debut novel, The Rubber Band. She substitute teaches to support her writing career, deriving writing inspiration from the students and situations she encounters.

At age twenty-five, she was diagnosed with type-one diabetes but refuses to let it limit her. Her diabetic alert dog, Aiden, has saved her life uncountable times and will appear in future installments of The Rubber Band. Christy lives by this equation:

Living + diabetes = LIVE-abetes.

Christy is a freelance editor and writes children’s Bible stories for Focus on the Family ClubHouse magazine and has written articles for Guideposts. She is a featured speaker for conferences, retreats and special events.

Christy lives in Northern California with Kevin, the love of her life. They have three grown children.

The Rubber Band Stretches, Rocky’s Story is the second book in The Rubber Band middle grade novel series by Christy Hoss.

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