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When Shelley Pearsall researched for this novel she met and interviewed and listened to Elvis impersonators. Wait a second! I thought research was dry, stuffy stuff. How dare she have fun "researching?" I have a suspicion that she was just looking for trouble with some tiger man, thankyaverymuch!
But I digress.... All Shook Up is the sad tale of one Josh Denny whose divorced parents decide that he must spend late summer and part of the school year in Chicago (A mistake right there; have you been in Chicago in the summer?) with his father while Mom takes care of her recovering mother in Florida.
Jerry Denny lost his job as a shoe salesman, and has become an Elvis impersonator after winning a local contest. He takes on gigs as "The King," dyed hair, costumes, jerky legs, the works. Josh is mortified that people at his new school will find out what his crazed father does for a "job" when nefarious notes about Elvis begin to materialize on his locker.
Enter an array of characters from elderly, forgetful Gladys to quirky Viv and her vintage-dressed daughter, Ivory and sidekick Digger for an entertaining study in characterization. Add a desperate farce by Josh to keep his dad from performing at his school and the stage is set for disaster. Speaking of stages, his dad, that is, Elvis kills his performance at Winona and even Josh believes.
I loved the playlist chapter headings, the natural growth in Josh for his love of his dad, his understanding and affection for Gladys, and his shedding of prejudices for Digger. I appreciated no preaching, just the story of a young man and his relationship with his dad during an unusual period of time.
ENDERS Rating: Fun, growing up story
Shelley Pearsall's Website
Hi Joan,
Thankyaverymuch (as Elvis would say) for reviewing my book, All Shook Up. I appreciated your thoughtful comments about the story -- and the mention of Digger, too, who was one of my personal character "favorites". Loved the Elvis background music!
Best wishes,
Shelley
This one sounds like a hoot!