About the Author A former teacher and museum historian, Shelley Pearsall is now a full-time writer. Her first novel, Trouble Don’t Last, won the Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction. To learn more about the author and her work, visit www.shelleypearsall.com. She lives in Silver Lake, Ohio. Read more Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. Looking back, I would say everything in my life changed the summer I turned thirteen and my dad turned into Elvis.I’d heard people say thirteen was an unlucky number, and from the very beginning, that seemed to be true. I’d been thirteen for less than twenty-four hours when the phone call came from Florida about my grandma taking a fall on the steps of the Shadyside Episcopal Church and breaking her hip. That same day, somebody swiped my bike from the rack at the city pool because–yes–I’d stupidly left it unlocked. And then my mom decided to ship me off to Chicago for four months so she could rush to Florida to take care of my grandma.Before arriving in Illinois in August, I didn’t know anything about my dad being Elvis. Well, that’s not quite true. I knew there were people who pretended to be Elvis. You know–sideburns, sunglasses, twisting hips, jiggly legs, and all. But I never thought my own dad would become one of them. Neither did my mother, or she probably wouldn’t have put me on that plane. I’d have gone to Shadyside Villas instead, where I could have stayed with her and a lot of nice old people while we waited for Grandma’s hip to recover.But my dad, in his usual style, didn’t mention a word about Elvis when my mom called him. “Great. No problem. Sure. Josh can stay with me,” he must have told her on the phone–while I stood on the other side of the kitchen doorway crossing my fingers behind my back, whispering, “No, say no” under my breath. As they were talking, I could hear my mom clattering a spoon around and around a mixing bowl, loudly making something for dinner. She never spoke to my father without sounding extremely busy.“So you don’t mind keeping Josh?” I heard her say.“Until Shirley’s better? The doctors told me it could be a few months. He’ll have to be enrolled in school. Are you sure this isn’t going to be a problem?”Keep Josh. That phrase again. Like I was somebody’s pet guinea pig or prize Chihuahua getting passed back and forth. Keep Josh. Take Josh. Pick up Josh.Note to my parents: Why not ask Josh what he would like to do?But after eight years of being shipped between two houses almost a thousand miles apart, I knew it was pretty much useless to say anything. I was the SHARED KID and both of my parents liked me better if I seemed okay with their arrangement. So that’s why I ended up telling my mom I was fine with living in Chicago for a while and staying with my dad and even going to a different school. Although I wasn’t really fine with any of those things. Especially not the new school. Read more
K**N
How embarassing would it be if you were 13 & you found out your dad's job was to perform as an Elvis impersonator?
My son read this book for a report, but I read it before him. We both loved it. I'm 55 & can still remember the pressures of being 13. Josh's parents are divorced & living in different states. He needs to live with his dad in Chicago for a while as his mom tends to his sick grandma. Josh soon finds out his dad now works as an Elvis impersonator, white spangly jumpsuit, singing - and all. Cringeworthy, but Josh and his father work it out.
M**E
Burning Love
Bought this book for my daughter. She specifically asked for it, was reading it and had to return it to the library. Fast delivery and very happy with purchase.
M**.
Great book, quick read
I liked it a lot, great story. Bought additional books from this author. A great read from teenage to adult.
B**M
All Shook Up
The book was in perfect condition when it arrived. It arrived in ample time and my students have really enjoyed it.
C**Y
Five Stars
love it
J**S
Great
I had to do this book for a summer reading project and it is a really good summer reading book iguess.so I'm gonna give it give stars.
L**Y
Brings a Smile to my face
I purchased this book at a church librarians conference; met and heard the author speak. Very engaging message of the perils of a 13-year old boy of divorced parents. He really didn't want to go spend time with his Dad, but his Mom in Boston had to care for his Grandma in Florida. All the perils of a teenagers; adjusting to a new school, realizing that his Dad lost his job at the shoe shop to turn into an Elvis impersonator, dealing with his Dad's friend Viv and daughter Ivory. Very engaging message between friends and especially his Dad. Nice that he took time to spend with Gladys and played "Go Fish" with her. Was he proud of his Dad or embarrassed? I like that the book pointed out "just when I get used to being with my Dad in Chicago, my Mom calls saying I can come back to Boston because my Grandma is doing better. Hard adjustments for a young man. Yes, the book was predictable, but that's OK. Clean message and suited for Elementary readers in the church library
M**I
You think you have an embarrassing parent?
In this book, Pearsall takes on the bane of all teens: a parent who embarrasses you! Hey, it doesn't get any worse than a semi-normal dad changing careers to become an Elvis impersonator. You can't help cracking up (and being glad it's not you) as Josh--the main character--has to deal with everything from his dad's new sideburns to his "gigs" around town while Josh is trying to fit in at a new school. Other interesting characters abound in this book from bizarro chic Ivory (possible girlfriend?) to dog collar-wearing Digger to old lady neighbor Gladys--all who want to befriend Josh as he desperately tries not to draw attention to himself! The book is a fast and good read--I think of Deliver Us from Normal by Kate Klise or Al Capone Does My Shirts by Choldenko as comparable books. It's funny, sometimes painful to read as Josh tries to cope, and ultimately rewarding in the end (I won't tell--you'll have to read it yourself!)
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