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?
My Thoughts
Slingshot Summer was a great read! The band is at rival camps that are across the lake from each other. Eddie attends the down-to-earth camp for diabetes. The rest of the band, sponsored by Becca, attends a posh camp that caters to the monied.
I knew from the meeting of Eddie and Janell that I was going to love this book. There were quite a few funny moments and moments where you just wanted to hug the characters, or smack them upside the head. I was totally pulled into the camp world. This for me is the sign of a great book.
I loved Eddie, however, my favorite character was Trevor a/k/a T-squared. I was not so fond of Becca. I saw why she was nicknamed the BOSS.
What I liked:
- Bearskin Meadows is the best chant!
- The contrasts of the camps and the fact that the kids with diabetes were roughing it and loving it, whereas the camp for the rich kids was a total opposite. Their campfire night was a hoot!
- That all the staff at the camp were also diabetic.
- Becca’s about face at the end of the book
- The separation and rivalry of their camps did not sway their friendships
What Gave Me Pause:
- I would have liked to see more references to God, so that when it came up, it wouldn’t feel like, where did that come from? Granted, this is book three of the series, but my first, so maybe the groundwork was already laid and I missed it.
Nevertheless, I was inspired by the fact that Christy used her own experience with diabetes to highlight a real camp and provide encouragement for kids with diabetes. This book focuses on helping children who feel like they may no longer fit in, realize that although they may have to plan ahead and monitor their blood sugar levels, they can still run, jump, swim, hike and so much more, with the best of them!
I rated it 5 out of 5 stars!
Note: I received a free copy of the book. This review is written voluntarily.
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 about this middle-grade novel series 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
Blog Stops
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, August 3
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, August 4
Texas Book-aholic, August 5
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 6
For Him and My Family, August 7
Inklings and notions, August 8
deb’s Book Review, August 9
Locks, Hooks and Books, August 10
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, August 11
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 12
Lights in a Dark World, August 13
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, August 14
Blossoms and Blessings, August 15 (Author Interview)
Vicky Sluiter, August 16 (Author Interview)
Book Zone Reviews, August 16
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Christy is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and a signed copy of the book!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/2070a/the-rubber-band-slingshot-summer-celebration-tour-giveaway
I’ve read the book and it was great!
Hi Cindi!
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your opinion of the book with my readers and me.