
Reach for this book when your middle-schooler is struggling with the profound embarrassment that often comes with a parent's unconventional lifestyle or career. It is the perfect choice for children who feel like they do not fit in or who are navigating the awkward transition of moving between parental homes. The story follows Josh, who moves in with his father only to discover that his dad is a professional Elvis impersonator. Through humor and heart, the book explores the tension between wanting to belong and wanting to be proud of your family, even when they are undeniably quirky. It is a gentle, funny, and deeply relatable look at identity and the realization that our parents are complex people with their own dreams. Best suited for ages 10 to 14, it validates the cringe while offering a path toward genuine connection.
The book deals with parental separation and the feeling of abandonment in a realistic, secular way. The resolution is hopeful but grounded: Josh's dad doesn't stop being an Elvis fan, but Josh learns to integrate his father's identity with his own need for normalcy.
Your experience helps other parents find the right book.
Sign in to write a reviewA middle-school boy who feels 'uncool' or is mortified by his family's differences. It is especially resonant for kids in split-household situations who are getting to know a parent they haven't lived with for a long time.
Read the scenes involving the 'Elvis' competition to understand the father's passion versus the son's embarrassment. The book can be read cold. A parent might see their child pulling away, acting ashamed of the family's home life, or trying desperately to reinvent themselves to fit in at a new school.
Younger readers will find the Elvis antics purely slapstick and funny. Older readers will resonate with the deeper social stakes and the fear of being 'found out' by peers.
Unlike many 'divorce books' that focus on trauma, this uses humor and the specific, niche subculture of Elvis tribute artists to explore universal themes of identity and pride.
After his mother leaves for an extended trip to South America, thirteen-year-old Josh moves from Chicago to Parkview, Ohio, to live with his father. He quickly discovers his father's secret life: he is a professional Elvis impersonator. Josh is horrified and spends most of the novel trying to hide this fact from his new classmates, specifically his crush and a potential bandmate. The story follows Josh as he navigates a new school, joins a band, and eventually comes to terms with his father's eccentricities during a high-stakes Elvis competition.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.