Brothers Under God: The Story Behind the Name
When I came up with the name The BUG Boys, I wanted it to mean something—something that pointed back to faith. Each boy is named after one of the good kings of the Old Testament, and together they remind us what it means to be Brothers Under God. Here’s the story behind the name and why it still matters for raising kids to follow Jesus with courage and heart.
David’s Spotlight: Loud, Goofy, and Loyal
David’s the kind of kid you hear before you see—loud, goofy, and full of heart. But behind the laughter is a boy who learned to be loud so he wouldn’t disappear. Named after one of the good kings of the Bible, David reminds us that faith can be joyful, loyal, and a little bit messy—in all the best ways.
Josiah’s Story: Wrestling with Faith and Expectations
Josiah’s the kind of kid who looks like he’s got it all together, until you get close enough to see the questions behind his eyes. In The BUG Boys: The Great Scavenger Hunt, he’s wrestling with faith, family expectations, and what it really means to believe for himself. His story reminds kids that doubt doesn’t disqualify you; it can be the start of something real.
Pointing Kids to Jesus Without Getting Preachy
Kids know when faith feels real. In The BUG Boys, I wrote a Christian middle grade adventure that points kids to Jesus without getting preachy. Scripture clues, honest questions, and friendship shape the boys’ choices and show faith in everyday moments.
Why Friendship Matters in Middle-Grade Books
Friendship is what makes middle-grade adventures come alive. The laughter, the conflicts, and the courage kids find together often matter more than the prize at the end. Discover why these bonds are at the heart of the story.
From Idea to Manuscript: How The BUG Boys Story Grew
The BUG Boys didn’t start as a scavenger hunt. From camping trips to clubhouses to countless rewrites, the story grew through prayer, persistence, and a lot of learning. Here’s how an idea became a manuscript — and why the journey mattered just as much as the finished book.
Faith and Fun in Fiction: Why Kids Need Both
Kids don’t have to choose between fun and faith — they need both. In this post, I share why laughter, adventure, and biblical truth belong together in stories, and how The BUG Boys grew out of my own journey from loving fiction as a kid to wanting my son (and others) to have books that point them toward Christ.