Elvis and the World As It Stands

July 1, 2021
Grades 3-6 Kitten siblings Elvis and Etta spend all their time together in a shelter, fantasizing about a forever home. After being adopted without his sister, the forlorn Elvis begins scheming to reunite with Etta, though he is intrigued by his new housemates--a cheerful hamster, splashy goldfish, and cranky older cat--as well as his curious new owner, 10-year-old Georgina, who is coping with her parents' split by building endless Lego replicas of famous skyscrapers and keeping her growing unhappiness to herself. The story is told from the kitten's perspective, but the insertion at the end of each chapter of a series of text messages between Georgina's family cleverly adds meaningful human insight. The animals have wonderfully funny and fitting personalities--the hamster being a particular treasure--and the family dynamics feel familiar and comforting. Riddiough's debut doesn't shy away from sadness or struggle, including a thoughtful discussion of 9/11, with the animal antics providing a lighter framework for tough topics. A playful and poignant exploration of family, in all its forms.

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August 1, 2021

Gr 3-5-Elvis is a kitten living in a shelter with his sister, Etta. During a big Fourth of July adoption event, Elvis is adopted by Mrs. Pemberton wanting to give her daughter, Georgina, a special gift because Mrs. and Mr. Pemberton have separated and Georgina is not taking it well. Elvis is heartbroken to be torn away from his sister and though Georgina is kind to him, he desperately tries to go back to the shelter. As Elvis becomes more comfortable in his new home with Gina, who builds LEGO architecture to cope with her life changing, will he ever be reunited with his sister? This book is part adventure, part family drama, and a remembrance of 9/11. One of the buildings Georgina works on is a replica of the Twin Towers, which she builds because she keeps asking her parents for a photo of them in front of the towers when they first met, in NYC before 9/11. The author also includes a note about this historical event for younger readers. Though the book deals with serious topics, being told from Elvis' point of view lightens the overall tone, along with supporting characters like a funny hamster named Mo and a goofy dog named Bambi. Readers will race to find out how everything ends, with character growth and plenty of failed escape attempts before the satisfying conclusion. VERDICT An animal adventure with family at its heart, this short read makes for a good purchase for elementary libraries where animal stories, particularly about cats and shelter animals, are popular.-Molly Dettmann, Norman North H.S., OK

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Starred review from July 1, 2021
Calico kitten Elvis is adopted from the animal shelter, but his beloved sister, Etta, is left behind. Narrator Elvis is intended to be a comfort for his new human owner, 10-year-old Georgina, who's trying to adjust to her parents' recent breakup. She's busy crafting intricate Lego buildings with the help of her clever hamster, Mo, as her rather clueless mother tries to push her into more sociable pursuits. Mo does his best to help Elvis fit into his new family, but the kitten is desperate to return to the shelter to reunite with Etta. The second cat in his new household is little help; grouchy Clementine, another rescue, has issues of her own that are gradually revealed. After a couple of failed escape attempts, Elvis finally finds a way to communicate his fervent wish to Georgina, using Lego bricks. In her debut, Riddiough has lovingly crafted a group of fully realized animal characters--even a fish--as well as three sometimes-mystifying humans, all of whom share their hopes and tribulations and demonstrate that not all happy families look alike. Georgina gradually comes to accept the changes in her life in a bittersweet conclusion. Expressive soft-focus illustrations throughout the text add to the charm, bringing the characters and their emotions to life in a way that tugs at the heartstrings. Georgina and her parents read as White. This gentle effort will leave engaged readers purring contentedly. (author's note) (Fiction. 8-10)

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