About the Book
Author: Christy Hoss
Genre: Middle Grade Novel
Release date: June, 2021
Foster kid Rocky “Roadkill” Espinosa, drummer for the Rubber Band, chooses Elvis for his 4th 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 50th 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?
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My Review
What a fun novel for young readers. Second in a series, this story follows Rocky, the drummer in the Rubber Band. He's a fourth grader in foster care and has some rough experiences when his biological father shows up. Rocky has a great bunch of friends in fellow band members as they come to his aid. His story is a good example of trust, showing both the cost and the commitment.
I thoroughly enjoyed this youth novel but then, as a septuagenarian, I remember well the screaming crowds for Elvis. It was fun to see it portrayed by Rocky and his friends.
This novel has good lessons included in it about trust and friendship and what really makes a family. It is very entertaining and has good suspense near the end. This series is a good one for young readers.
You can read my review of the first in the series: The Rubber Band.
My rating: 4/5 stars.
About the Author
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.
More from Christy
Why the Rubber Band?
Sitting in the front row keeping an eye on my students, the stage curtain opened to our elementary school assemble. A sign over the group declared “The Rubber Band.” With one stroke the lead guitar caused my inner groupie to emerge. I screamed in delight and crooned out. ‘Born to Be Wild’ along with the kid band delivering professional sounds. Our usually reserved staff soon joined me in my whoops of delight and the band had the entire assembly on its feet, dancing and clapping.
I was so impressed by this rock and roll group of fourth and fifth grade students, I asked them to play at my fiftieth birthday party.
Returning to our classroom, I put on my writer’s hat, thinking about what a cool kid’s book The Rubber Band would make. But I had to come up with a plotline. It was then I noticed a rubber band on the floor and knew instantly what needed to be done. It had to be about a good guitar-playing kid getting trouble for a mis-shot rubber band. He’s sent to the principal’s office where he sees the sign advertising the talent contest and he begins his quest to recruit a diverse group of misfit kids to form a garage band.
My imagination took off as I thought about the many children I have taught through the years. Most of my characters are inspired by those actual students and events. Rocky is a fictional name given to a real foster kid who came to our school temporarily. He used to walk alone around the perimeter of the school boundaries – just like Rocky. Edison and Oliver are actual names of maternal twins I taught my first year at Kenwood Elementary, the school I derived Wildwood elementary from. Even Principal Haymaker is based on my friend, Principal Bales.
The band is not without troubles and Eddie soon finds himself challenged by an incurable illness. But the bond of the band is strong, and they will not snap but hang tight to see the dream through no matter how it turns out. Rocky longs to be a part of a permanent family, but has his heartstrings pulled when his freshly paroled birth father shows up. Becca is the lonely, spoiled-rotten rich girl with no friends but a voice of gold. Manny plays bass and Oliver the keyboards, but not without adding their own unique personalities to the mix.
You’ll be hearing more from The Rubber Band as I plan to write about their adventures into adulthood and beyond, and there will be many.
I no longer look at a rubber band and think of it as just an elastic ring to hold things together. It’s a simple, useful object. that inspired a novel series.
Blog Stops
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, August 9
Debbie's Dusty Deliberations, August 10
Texas Book-aholic, August 11
For the Love of Literature, August 12 (Author Interview)
Inklings and notions, August 13
For Him and My Family, August 14
deb's Book Review, August 15
Vicky Sluiter, August 16 (Author Interview)
Locks, Hooks and Books, August 16
Library Lady's Kid Lit, August 17
Adventures of a Travelers Wife, August 18 (Author Interview)
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, August 18
Because I said so -- and other adventures in Parenting, August 19
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, August 20
Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, August 21
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 22
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. My comments are an independent and honest review. The rest of the copy of this post was provided by Celebrate Lit.
(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)
6 comments:
I think my kiddos would enjoy this! Thank you for sharing!
This sounds like a fantastic book! Thanks for your review.
This book sounds so fun while also tackling some tough issues.
This sounds great! It's hard to find good books for this age group.
Looks like an excellent book.
Thanks for the contest.
I am excited to shared this book with my nephew! He's really looking forward to reading it!
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