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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Middle-Grade Books Are Fun, & Kids Need Great Books, Too

by Chautona Havig · 1 Comment

Middle-grade author, Christy Hoss, took inspiration from an actual third-grade rock band and wrote a fun and inspiring series for kids! via @chautonahavig

Personally, I think middle-grade books are highly underrated by adult readers, but kids are smart enough to know how awesome they are, and Christy Hoss has a fun series for us.

If you doubt my opinions on middle-grade books, I give you Narnia. Christy, however, gives you a fabulous rag-tag, third-grade rock band with all the fun and hijinks that go with it! Find out what is so great about her “Rubber Band” series. Hint: it’s not just the title of the band!

Christy Hoss

Note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

Middle-Grade Books Are Fun, & Kids Need Great Books, Too

When Christy Hoss told me she’d been in one of my workshops at the SoCal Christian Writers’ Conference, I had to run over to Amazon to grab a look at her.  I actually remember her!  As we chatted about her book and her desire to be a writer, we learned we have quite a bit in common.  Both of us were inspired by our second-grade teachers.  Alas, while she gets to meet up with hers this fall, mine must have gone home to Jesus decades ago (she was at least 200 back in 1977!)

A teacher herself, Christy was inspired by a real third-grade rock band at her school’s talent show one year.  As a result, we have an entire series about this fabulous group of kids and their surprisingly good rock band. (Hint: Christy Hoss’ husband is in a band himself.  It’s what first attracted her to him.  I was supposed to edit that out but didn’t.  I hope she forgives me!).

Like many smart authors, Christy Hoss also loves reading in her genre and has a few books to share.

Because I fought with the audio quality on this episode, I left out a few of our rabbit trails–me walking late at night and her thinking I’m crazy for it.  Oh, and how my friend from junior high’s father-in-law was one of Elvis’ costumers!  FUN stories.

With that, I’d like to apologize for the audio quality. I’m not sure what happened, but after fighting with it a bit, I gave up and decided that learning about this fabulous series was more important than perfect audio.  I hope you agree.

the rubber band stretches by christy hossMore about The Rubber Band Stretches by Christy Hoss

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?

You can find out more about Christy at her WEBSITE

(where you can follow her on social media and all that fun stuff!)

Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at:

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If you’d like to be on the Because Fiction Podcast, please go HERE and submit your topic idea! I’d love to hear about it.

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Comments

  1. Christina Mosca says

    July 20, 2021 at 5:53 am

    I love middle grade fiction!
    If my friends’ children tell me about books they are reading, I run to the library and start reading them, too!
    This gives me a connection to the kids, other than “my parents’ friend.” Now that most of them are in college, they still remember loaning me their books or our conversation about them.
    My faves are Rick Riordan’s mythological series. (I always liked Greek mythology in school).

    Reply

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 265: A Chat with Karen Witemeyer
byChautona Havig

Nothing says fairy tale like a sweet western romance by an author like Karen Witemeyer… unless it’s a fairytale retelling set in Texas in the late 19th century, right?  Fairest of Heart takes the familiar “Snow White” and turns it on its head with retired cowboys, a self-absorbed actress, a Texas Ranger, and a sweet girl who knows the true Source of her beauty.  Listen in to see all the genius Easter eggs Witemeyer planted in this book.

Note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

Sometimes All a Girl Needs Is a True Change of Heart

I fell in love with the cover of Karen Witemeyer’s Head Over Heels a few years back (only to learn it’s much older than that, even), and meant to read that book.  I didn’t.  #BecauseIdiot. Well, that’ll be rectified just as soon as I’m done listening to her first book in a trilogy of fairytale retellings. I loaded it up on my Audible app tonight and wheeeeeeee. Here I go! So much for no new books until October. HA! 

Karen talks about her heart for young women today and how they’re taught by every bit of media blasting at them that they need to use their bodies to get what they need or want when the Lord has a better plan. And I can’t guarantee it, but I strongly suspect she does it without preaching. SQUEE!

Fairest of Heart by Karen Witemeyer

Once upon a time in Texas . . .

Beauty has been nothing but a curse to Penelope Snow. When she becomes a personal maid for a famous actress whose troupe is leaving Chicago to tour the West, she hides her figure beneath shapeless dresses and keeps her head down. But she still manages to attract the wrong attention, leaving her prospects in tatters–and her jealous mistress plotting her demise.

After his brother lost his life over a woman, Texas Ranger Titus Kingsley has learned to expect the worst from women and is rarely disappointed. So when a young lady found in suspicious circumstances takes up residence with the seven old drovers living at his grandfather’s ranch, Titus is determined to keep a close eye on her.

With a promotion hanging in the balance, Titus is assigned to investigate a robbery case tied to Penelope’s acting troupe, and all evidence points to Penelope’s guilt. But Titus might just be convinced that the fairest woman of all has a heart as pure as her last name . . . if only he can prove it.

You can learn more about Karen Witemeyer and her books on her WEBSITE. Don’t forget the book is 30% off on BakerBookHouse.com.  

Follow Karen on BookBub and GoodReads.

And don’t forget her Posse Group on Facebook.

Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at:

  • Apple 
  • Castbox 
  • Google Play
  • Libsyn 
  • RSS
  • Spotify
  • Amazon
  • and more!
Episode 265: A Chat with Karen Witemeyer
Episode 265: A Chat with Karen Witemeyer
September 29, 2023
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September 26, 2023
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Episode 263: A Chat about The Love Script w/ Toni Shiloh
September 23, 2023
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Episode 262: Chatting about The Legacy of Longdale Manor with Carrie Turansky
September 19, 2023
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Episode 261: Chatting with Christian Youth Fiction Author, Candice Yamnitz
September 15, 2023
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Episode 260: A Chat with Rachel Hauck
September 12, 2023
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Episode 259: A Chat with Debut Author, Laura Conaway
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Episode 258: A Louisiana Christmas to Remember
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Episode 257: A Chat with Fantasy Author, N. Ford
September 1, 2023
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Episode 256: A Chat about Summer in the Spotlight w/ Liz Johnson
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