When your life gets "all shook up" can it ever really go back to being normal? Step into the world of Josh Greenwood and his divorced dad, Jerry Denny, in this hilarious new novel about fathers and sons. When a family crisis throws Josh and his dad together for a few months, 13-year old Josh discovers that his unemployed father is now trying to make a living as Elvis. Yes, Elvis...

From blue suede shoes to rhinestone jumpsuits, author Shelley Pearsall saw it all while working on All Shook Up. She talked with a guy who hung out with Elvis, heard a drummer who played for Elvis, traveled to Elvis-A-Rama in Las Vegas on one of its final Elvis days, attended Elvis Fest in Canada and listened to more Elvis tribute performances than she can count.

For ideas on using All Shook Up in the classroom, click here.

Free teacher's guide available for download here. (PDF download)

To read a blog post by Shelley about writing All Shook Up, click here
Honors/Selections
  • 2011-2012 Georgia Children's Book Award Nominee
  • 2011 Rebecca Caudill Award (Illinois) nominee
  • 2010-2011 Young Hoosier Book Award nominee
  • Boys' Life Magazine Summer Reading choice, August issue
  • 2008 Junior Library Guild selection
Reviews

"Pearsall shows us a character from the inside -- as well as from the outside..."
- from "Exploring Voice" essay by Bruce Black,
   www.wordswimmer.blogspot.com/2009/02/exploring-voice.html
"...a very funny tale told by a terrifically engaging young narrator...one of those rare humor-filled books that will appeal to readers regardless of gender."
- VOYA magazine, August 2008
"This funny novel is an excellent story of self-acceptance and the bonds that we form with our family."
- Curious Parents magazine, July 2008
"All Shook Up is alternately wry, silly, thoughtful and laugh-out-loud funny."
- BookPage, June 2008
"Through a wonderful and believable process of discovery...father and son come to understand each other."
- School Library Journal, July 2008
"Boys especially will identify with Josh's struggle to escape the stigma of an embarrassing parent."
- Kirkus Reviews, April 2008
"...some funny moments, some offbeat characters, and some elements of suspense will keep most readers engaged."
- Booklist, 2008
All Shook Up
ISBN: 978-0-375-83698-5
ISBN: 978-0-375-93698-2
272 pages
Ages: Ages 8-14
Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers (May 13, 2008)
Setting: Chicago
Click here to order your own copy of All Shook Up at Amazon.com.