Also Known as Elvis (The Misfits) Hardcover – April 15, 2014

A great end to an amazing series. I have read all the misfits books now. I started reading them cause my son wanted to read the second book in the series, totally joe, and I wanted to make sure it was appropriate before allowing him to. These books have a great anti bullying message and I'd suggest them for any 5th-8th grade child!

My son, who does not like to read, actually asked for this book and is really reading it! The Misfits - written about the same characters - was assigned summer reading, and the author came to talk at his school. So something about the series is compelling; whatever it is I am thrilled!

I just have no words. It's just as good as his other books. PHENOMONAL. It's just so amazing to me how good The Misfits series is.

Great series:)

Really wonderful book. If you read the Misfits, you'll want to read this.

Howe rounds out his popular Misfits series with the story of Schuyler “Skeezie” Tookis, also known as Elvis, in this funny yet heart-tugging summer story. Skeezie is still wearing his dad’s leather jacket, combing his hair in a 1950s style and singing Elvis tunes, but during his 13th summer, he also has to get a job to help his mom with expenses. His three best friends leave for vacation at the same time, a girl sends him mixed messages, and his dad who left two years before comes back to confuse and hurt him. Throughout all that, Skeezie is able to keep his sense of humor and love for his family, but it’s not easy.Skeezie is talking to his soon-to-be-born son at the beginning, letting readers know he will be named Elvis for real. The future dad is reminiscing about the summer that changed everything for him.Readers head 12 years back to the past to the Candy Kitchen, where the Misfits are gathered to discuss summer. Addie, Bobby and Joe are all set to work or volunteer before they head out on vacation with family members. Skeezie can’t even find comfort in his favorite Dr. Pepper float as he contemplates a summer of babysitting his sisters and trying to earn some money while his mother works two jobs. After his dad left two years ago, the man sent money only sporadically to his family, and Skeezie’s mom is depressed and struggling. He hasn’t told his friends how bad things have become at home.Steffi at the Candy Kitchen sympathizes with Skeezie, as her own dad left her family, and lets him work there. While scooping ice cream for his feisty grandma and sisters one afternoon, his dad returns. His little sister is the only one thrilled to see him, and Skeezie is confused that his dad suddenly wants to spend time just with his son.Becca, a sometimes friend of the Misfits, flirts with Skeezie or ignores him when her other friends are around. He still agrees to help her find a dog, though he’d really like to be picking out one for himself. No Howe story is complete without animals, and Skeezie’s thoughts of the dog that disappeared from his family years ago include some of his only good memories of his dad.Skeezie does not want to have fun with his dad, but can’t help it as the two look at guitars and talk about the life his dad has in Rochester, NY. By the end of the summer, Skeezie has to make a gut wrenching decision.Readers travel back to the future at the end to see how the Misfits all turn out in a satisfying ending to a fun series, but Skeezie’s story is especially fun. His feelings about his family are realistic and readers will feel his pain through the pages of another engaging Howe story. Howe sorts out people, animals and their complicated relationships in well-written enjoyable books, and this is a strong example. Readers will want to reread all of the Misfits’ stories and then go back through other Howe series after this terrific summer read.Reviewed by Amy Alessio

I think this is great book asnd I love the series! I love how all the rmotions fit in with the book and how it is the boy talking baout himself and the friends and how the dog ties into the book! Love it!

Living with parents who hate each other is hard, but dealing with divorced parents is also hard. This book explores Skeezie’s sadness and confusion of ‘why doesn’t dad live here anymore’ without becoming depressing – a good balancing act. When Skeezie’s friends leave for the summer, he has to look harder at his own life and decide what he wants to do with himself.This is the 4th book & I have not read the rest of the series. There were probably in-jokes that I missed, but I enjoyed the book.