About the Book

Book: The Rubber-Band: Slingshot Summer

Editor: Christy Hoss

Genre: Middle Grade

Release date: May, 2022

Separated from each other at rival camps by a shared lake, the bond of the Rubber Band is challenged. Lead guitar player, Eddie attends a rustic camp for diabetics while across the lake, the rest of the band is at a posh resort for elite rich people’s children, sponsored by lead singer, Becca. During the annual Olympics between camps, the sabotage of a high-stakes kayak race threatens to sink friendships. From the moment they step off the bus to the last day of goodbyes, it’s a non-stop, hilarious and fun-filled first time-at-camp experience for the guys all while Becca is bullied by a long-time rival. Although both summer camps bring new possibilities, will it strengthen the bond of the band and change hearts or stretch them apart?

Author Interview

1. Do you set a plot or prefer going wherever an idea takes you?

I have a plot in mind and start writing from there to see where it

takes me.

2. What, according to you, is the hardest thing about writing?

There are two things about writing that are hard for me. Sitting

down, because I am distracted by everything else that I have to do

for example: marketing and getting the word out about my books,

projects around the house, housecleaning – ha ha! Running errands.

I love to write, but the writing flows easier if I have accomplished

other things first.

3. What would you say is the easiest aspect of writing? There isn’t one.

4. Do you need to be in a specific place or room to write, or you can

just sit in the middle of a café full of people and write? When I am

in the writing zone, I can write anywhere.

5. When did it dawn upon you that you wanted to be a writer? When I

was in second grade my teacher told me I was a going to be a

writer after five pages (that’s a lot for a second grader) for a story

about my dog and won first prize in the class contest.

6. Where do you get your ideas for your books? The ideas for the

Rubber Band book series come from an actual band that existed

when I was teaching at Kenwood Elementary School in Northern

California. A lot of the details are based on actual situations, that to

some may seem surreal, but have actually happened. I have

incorporated some of my childhood experiences as well, especially

the bullying part. I was severely bullied for having large thumbs in

elementary school on into junior high.

7. Do bits of yourself/friends show up in your characters? All the time.

I’m the only one who knows what and where those bits are.

Anything else you'd like to share? My husband and I have recently

moved to eastern Tennessee. It has turned out to be the biggest

challenge of my life, but God has had His hand in the entire process

and I know good things are in store.

Click here to get your copy!

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 The Rubber Band Snaps, the fourth book in the series. 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 eastern Tennessee with husband Kevin, the love of her life. They have three grown children.

The Rubber Band Slingshot Summer is the third book in The Rubber Band middle grade novel series by Christy Hoss.

More from Christy

If you have ever been to summer camp, I guarantee you will enjoy the Rubber Band’s newest adventure. It takes place at two camps across the lake from each other. Although this is a fictional story, some of it is based on reality. Bearskin Meadow Diabetes Camp does exist and some of the names I used are real people who have given me permission to honor them and what they do. Becca’s exaggerated outdoor adventure camp is, however, purely non-existent and based only on my imagination.

I couldn’t resist writing this light-hearted, fun-filled, nonstop adventure for the band but not without its serious message that I am hoping will encourage strength in my readers.

One week at Bible camp was always the highlight of my summer, giving me something to look forward to. The week always ended too soon for me. Fresh out of high school, I flew to Southern California and worked as a counselor for inner-city kids at a Salvation Army camp in Malibu. It was so much fun, I worked three more summers at various camps on the East Coast and then two more back in Malibu. It was inevitable I would write about the experiences one day.

If you want to experience the camp Eddie attends, check it out here: https://dyf.org/why-camp/

In order to get to Bearskin Meadow, you must travel through Sequoia National Park. Take a sneak peek at its thousand-year-old trees here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/sequoia/home