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?
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?
Genre: Middle Grade Novel
Release date: May, 2021
Release date: May, 2021
Excerpt from The Rubber Band Stretches
“But before we go back to our classrooms, let’s all stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. Rocky, would you please do the honor?” He hands me the mic before I could say no.
***
At recess I join the band at our bird-poop-stained table. Eddie is testing his blood sugar while Manny, Emmanuel and the Big-O, Oliver share pretzels. Becca had given those of us who didn’t already have one, nicknames on the stage Saturday night without our knowing beforehand. She lives up to her nickname, the Boss or Bossy Becca as the whole school calls her, by taking control and making decisions without asking the band first. So far, most of her decisions had worked out. So far.
“Where’s ‘The Boss?’” I plop next to Eddie whom Becca had dubbed “Needles” since he had to learn how to give himself shots and has always been afraid of the pesky pokey things. I mean, who wouldn’t be afraid of them? I’ll even admit to that one.
“Oh, she’s soaking in the spotlight with that circle of girls over by the tetherball. Can’t you see how she’s talking nonstop. I wonder what she’s getting us into now since we’re playing for the mayor’s birthday and all.” Eddie stuffs a handful of raisins in his mouth.
***
At recess I join the band at our bird-poop-stained table. Eddie is testing his blood sugar while Manny, Emmanuel and the Big-O, Oliver share pretzels. Becca had given those of us who didn’t already have one, nicknames on the stage Saturday night without our knowing beforehand. She lives up to her nickname, the Boss or Bossy Becca as the whole school calls her, by taking control and making decisions without asking the band first. So far, most of her decisions had worked out. So far.
“Where’s ‘The Boss?’” I plop next to Eddie whom Becca had dubbed “Needles” since he had to learn how to give himself shots and has always been afraid of the pesky pokey things. I mean, who wouldn’t be afraid of them? I’ll even admit to that one.
“Oh, she’s soaking in the spotlight with that circle of girls over by the tetherball. Can’t you see how she’s talking nonstop. I wonder what she’s getting us into now since we’re playing for the mayor’s birthday and all.” Eddie stuffs a handful of raisins in his mouth.
 Christy Hoss | 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. |
Blog Stops
Excerpt One: https://insidethewongmind.com/2021/05/20/the-rubber-band-stretches-rockys-story-by-christy-hoss/
Excerpt Two: https://happywhenreading.wordpress.com/2021/05/27/4747/
Excerpt Three: https://amandanicolle.blogspot.com/2021/05/the-rubber-band.html
Excerpt Four: http://montanamade.weebly.com/tell-tale-book-reviews/celebrate-lit-epic-book-launch-the-rubber-band-stretches-by-christy-hoss
Excerpt Five: https://blissbooksandjewels.com/special-book-feature-excerpt-the-rubber-band-stretches-by-christy-hoss/
Excerpt Six: http://www.simpleharvestreads.com/posts/the-rubber-band-stretches-book-excerpt/
Excerpt Seven: https://catsinthecradle.blog/2021/05/26/the-rubber-band-stretches-rockys-story-epic-book/
Excerpt Two: https://happywhenreading.wordpress.com/2021/05/27/4747/
Excerpt Three: https://amandanicolle.blogspot.com/2021/05/the-rubber-band.html
Excerpt Four: http://montanamade.weebly.com/tell-tale-book-reviews/celebrate-lit-epic-book-launch-the-rubber-band-stretches-by-christy-hoss
Excerpt Five: https://blissbooksandjewels.com/special-book-feature-excerpt-the-rubber-band-stretches-by-christy-hoss/
Excerpt Six: http://www.simpleharvestreads.com/posts/the-rubber-band-stretches-book-excerpt/
Excerpt Seven: https://catsinthecradle.blog/2021/05/26/the-rubber-band-stretches-rockys-story-epic-book/
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