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May 28, 2011

Nazik rated it:

All Shook Up is about a boy named Josh whose life changes the summer he turns thirteen. Josh’s parents are divorced; he lives with his mom in Boston and visits his dad every summer in Chicago. Before starting the seventh grade, Josh’s grandmother, who lives in Florida, breaks her hip. His mom decides to go and take care of his grandmother and ships Josh to Chicago to live with his dad. So, Josh is forced to leave his school and friends in Boston and go live in Chicago for a few months. A More...

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Dec 14, 2010

Barky rated it:

Josh, thirteen, has to go live with his father in Chicago when his mom has to go stay with her mother in Florida (after she breaks her hip). He misses his friends in Boston, and his life there, but Josh finds that the worst thing about coming to Chicago is the fact that his dad has become an Elvis impersonator after losing his job (shoe salesman). It’s so embarrassing that Josh can’t even tell his mom about it. It’s so embarrassing that he forbids Ivory (his dad’s girlfriend Viv’s daughter) t More...

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Aug 26, 2010

Jill rated it:

This book looked like it was going to be awful when I saw the cover and read the book jacket. It wasn't as bad as I thought and I had a good time reading it.

It was, however, a formula book. In that way, it was completely, outrageously, predictable. I understand why writers write this kind of book - it is easy to do. Think of a kid who would have a problem, think of a crazy scheme that's going to really hurt someone in his life, have him do it and feel very guilty for the rest of the More...

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Mar 20, 2010

H rated it:

A fairly standard read that might extend down to a strong 4th grader, this is a tale of Josh, a 13 year old boy who has to spend 4 months living with his father in Chicago while his mother tends to a sick grandmother. Josh has to enroll in a strange school where no one knows him and cope with the fact that dad has lost his job and is trying to make it as an Elvis impersonator. As you would expect, Josh slowly learns to accept dad and not be so self-focused. Has a few funny moments, but isn't More...

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Jan 11, 2010

Susan rated it:

Seventh-grader Josh has to go live with his dad in Chicago while his mother leaves Boston to go take care of his grandmother in Florida. To Josh's great consternation, he discovers that the shoe store where his dad had worked for years has closed down. Dad is now making a living as an Elvis impersonator! Josh does fine at his new school, makes some friends, and muddles through without too much embarrassment until the possibility of his friends finding out about Elvis looms ahead. This is a good More...

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Jun 08, 2011

Elaine rated it:

This book probably deserves five stars, but the problem is with my taste in books rather than the book.

I am not sure what to say about this book. It should definitely appeal to all the kids whose parents have ever done something that embarrasses them. I guess that means everybody.

I really liked how Josh came to realize that everything was not about him. I couldn't blame him for being self-centered. I think that is human nature and it is especially strong in a teenager More...

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May 25, 2011

Sean added it

A breezy little YA novel about Josh, an average 13 year old boy who goes to live with his Dad for a few months, only to discover that Dad has recently embarked on a new career as a professional Elvis impersonator. Josh's mortification at the prospect of Dad performing at an upcoming school dance is a pretty straightforward case study in the psychological phenomenon of the "imaginary audience," and his attempts to negotiate the cliques of junior high should resonate with anyone who's su More...

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Oct 22, 2010

Missy rated it:

My son is trying to read all 20 "Rebecca Caudill" 2011 book nominees for an award at his school. We've always been impressed by the books on the list - usually just right for ages 9-12 or so. This one was fine, but I become frustrated by books/shows where there is a problem caused by someone's dishonesty that could be cleared up if they would just tell the truth. But that rarely happens and so they dig themselves a deeper hole trying to cover up their lie... You know how it goes. More...

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Dec 14, 2008

Debbie rated it:

Just before 7th grade begins, Josh goes to live with his dad in Chicago, because his mom goes down to Florida to help take care of his grandma for a few months. To his surprise, he finds out his father lost his job as a shoe salesman and is now working as an Elvis impersonator. On top of this embarassing development, he has trouble getting in with the popular kids and is befriended by his father's girlfriend's daughter, one of the "loser" kids. During his time in Chicago, just about ev More...

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Feb 09, 2011

Elizabeth rated it:

All Josh wants to do is be a normal 13 year old kid, but that's seriously hard when your Dad is an Elvis impersonator. As Josh works to blend in at his new school it seems like everything is against him from his Dad's girlfriend's kooky daughter to the weird notes being left on his locker. When his Dad is asked to sing at his school it's the last straw, and Josh fights back.

This hilarious book is entertaining from start to finish. Josh's descriptions of the world around him, especially More...

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Nov 30, 2010

Additeenlibrarian rated it:

Josh is not thrilled to find out that his father has lost his job as a shoe salesman - and has decided to make his living as an Elvis impersonator. Seriously. Now Josh is stuck with his dad for several months while his mother helps his grandma recover from a broken hip. What _normal_ teenager wants to be seen with a guy who has giant Elvis sunburns, wears shirts with parrots on them, and throws sweaty scarves to middle-aged women? Yuck. Josh just wants to blend in ('cause it's middle school, duh More...

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Aug 21, 2008

Becky rated it:

Pearsall, Shelley. 2008. All Shook Up.

When you're thirteen, it doesn't take much for you to think your parents are embarrassing. Meet Josh. He normally lives with his mom in Boston, but when his grandmother falls and breaks her hip, Josh is sent to stay with his Dad in Chicago while his mom is off to Florida.

Looking back, I would say everything in my life changed the summer I turned thirteen and my father turned into Elvis.
I'd heard people say thirteen was a More...

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Mar 19, 2011

Helen rated it:

I read this one just to model reading for my kids, but really got into it. It's about a boy who's dad is an Elvis impersonator, so it was an interesting look into that field. Each chapter had a quote from an Elvis song which was fun, too. The only thing I didn't like was that the boy who is the main character was amazingly selfish -- although I think it's pretty appropriate for teen behavior. He came around by the end, but it was difficult understanding his attitude.

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Jul 06, 2009

Kelly rated it:

Josh, a 13-year-old, must go and stay with his father in Chicago while his mother cares for his ailing grandmother. His parents divorced when he was five because his father, a shoe salesmen, just couldn't get his act together. Josh's father loses his job and begins a career as an Elvis impersonator.

I thought that this was a very creative book, but I didn't find it to be extremely enjoyable. Shelley Pearsall is a crafty writer and created some great characters, but I just didn't like More...

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Jun 25, 2010

katsok rated it:

Entertaining read about 13 year old Josh who moves to Chicago to live with his dad while his mom takes care of his Grandmother in Florida. Upon arriving in Chicago Josh discovers his dad is no longer a shoe salesman but instead he's an Elvis impersonator. Enjoyed the journey of Josh trying to grow up, trying to be cool, trying to fit in and finally realizing he needed to walk in others shoes. I think several kids could identify with him.

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Dec 10, 2008

Dawn rated it:

13 year old Josh is the product of a divorce and when he finds out that he has to leave his home in Boston to stay with his dad in Chicago for an extended period of time, he is none too happy. But when he finds out that his dad has lost his job as a shoe salesman and has taken on the new "gig" of being an Elvis impersonator, Josh decides that something drastic must be done to keep him from ruining his life.

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May 22, 2011

Beverly rated it:

I got this as a bargain book at a recent warehouse sale. I originally picked it because I have family members who are Elvis fans and I simply roll my eyes at all that. The good thing about the book is that I think it accurately portrays how most adolescents feel about their parents - resentment, embarassment, frustration, and eventually appreciation, admiration, and respect in spite of their foibles.

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Dec 19, 2009

Heather rated it:

This is a cute book about a boy and his dad who has decided to perform as Elvis since he lost his job. Josh is completely mortified about this acheivement, especially since it puts his social status at his new school in extreme jeoparady. Not only is he dealing with the Elvis situation,but his dad's new girlfriend and her hippy daughter as well. Includes lots of fun references to Elvis lyrics and history.

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Jun 20, 2009

Jackie rated it:

Due to his grandmother's illness in FL, Josh is sent to Chicago to live with his dad, while his mom goes to FL. Upon his arrival in Chicago, Josh finds out that this dad has lost his job and is now earning a living by being an Elvis performer. As a junior high student, Josh is embarrassed by his dad. In the six months that he lives in Chicago, Josh learns that the world does not revolve around him.

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Jun 22, 2009

Suzanne rated it:

Fun read that deals with the many challenges a 7th grade boy with divorsed parents. Humor and a situation that is plausible allows the story to develope into a situation that your average student will be able to relate to. Thanks to the author for treading lightly with the language and sexual issues that often are overdone with this age group. This book is appropriate for all ages.

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Mar 08, 2010

Karen rated it:

This is on the 2011 Caudill nominee list. But I have no idea why. It's an average book about a selfish tween who doesn't have an epiphany like they do in most books that it's okay to accept people the way that they are. *spoiler alert*
He only accepts his father being an Elvis impersonator after he goes to one of his performances and sees how much the audience likes him.

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Jan 22, 2010

sal rated it:

I love YA lit. It's so cute and refreshing. The book is about a boy who moves in with his dad when his mom moves away to help his grandma. When the boy gets to his dad's house, he realizes his dad is an Elvis impersonator. Best premise... ever.

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Totally cute coming of age novel. Josh has to come to grips that his dad is Elvis, find friends, and learn that being weird is A-Okay. Warm fuzzies.

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May 28, 2011

Theresa rated it:

This is a great book for middle school boys who divide their time between divorced parents. It hits on some of the issues teens face as they hit the age where their parents become "uncool." Main character, Josh, does change a lot from the beginning, but there's still work to do with him.

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Jun 23, 2010

Pam rated it:

I would give this story a very strong 3.75, close to a 4. I found it to be an easy read (I know it's a YA and I'm a grown-up, but still!). I think what I enjoyed most was seeing Josh open his eyes a little and realize that at 13 the world doesn't revolve around him. Sure he seemed self-centered, but hey, he's 13! It was great seeing him grow through the story.

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Aug 19, 2009

Matthew rated it:

NO for our library.

This story is more appropriate for middle school.

At the same time, it's noticeable through her writing that Pearsall had a great time developing a character who, after a hard turn with losing his job, turns to a life of Elvis impersonation. Nicely done.

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Apr 12, 2010

MrsB rated it:

2011 RC I liked Pearsall's other book Crooked River a lot. This one-not so much. There are young adult books that a broad audience will enjoy and then there are young adult books for young adults. This is the latter. Joshua is another angry 12 year old child of divorced parents. His bitter selfishness may be very realistic, but I found it annoying. This one was very disappointing.

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Nov 26, 2011

Kkeyes rated it:

A coming of age story of a boy who goes to live with his father in Chicago. His father is trying to make a go being an Elvis impersonator which of course is humiliating to a preteen. A quick enjoyable read about letting folks be who they need to be.

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Jul 13, 2008

Kathleen rated it:

I was humming Elvis tunes to myself all the way through this book, how could you not.

Being a 13 year-old boy with divorced parents is hard enough. But add to that the fact that he not only has to spend this summer with his dad in Chicago, he's going to be starting 7th grade there as well. And when he arrives in Chicago, his dad has other surprises for Josh - a new girlfriend and he's started his own business as an Elvis impersonator. This could possibly be the worst year Josh has More...

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Feb 20, 2011

Cheryl rated it:

This is a Rebecca Caudill Award nominee...It was good...maybe wuld have liked it better if I was in middle school. Good descriptions of what it is like for a teen who's parents are divorced and living in different states. Also trying to fit in at a new school...When your father is an Elvis impersonator...

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May 16, 2010

Angela rated it:

Interesting reminder of how 13-year-olds can see the world (revolving around themselves only), and how growing up might mean thinking of others first. However, I did see how the boy's father's lack of personal vision negatively affected his family.

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