Elvis and the Underdogs

From Jenny Lee, writer on the Disney Channel show Shake It Up!, the number-one-rated kids' show in the country, this feel-good middle-grade novel is about a sickly boy whose life is turned upside down when he gets a therapy dog . . . who can talk!

Benji Wendell Barnsworth is a small ten-year-old boy with a big personality. Born premature, Benji is sickly, accident-prone, and at the hospital so often he even has his own punch card. So when Benji wakes up one day from a particularly bad spell, his doctors take the radical step of suggesting he get a therapy dog. But when a massive crate arrives at Benji's house, out walks a two-hundred-pound Newfoundland who can talk! And boy, is he bossy.

In this hilarious and heartwarming friendship story in the tradition of bestselling authors Gordon Korman and Carl Hiaasen, Elvis brings out the dog lover in the most surprising people and shows Benji that making new friends may not be as scary as he once thought.

Benji Wendell Barnsworth is a small ten-year-old boy with a big personality. Born premature, Benji is sickly and accident-prone and has a tendency to faint—a lot. He's at the hospital so often, he even has his own punch card. That is, until the day Benji wakes up from a particularly bad spell. Concerned for Benji's health, the doctor offers him two options: wear the world's ugliest padded helmet or get a therapy dog.

Benji chooses the dog, of course. But when a massive crate arrives at Benji's house, out walks a two-hundred-pound Newfoundland. And that isn't even the strangest thing about the dog. He announces that his name is Parker Elvis Pembroke IV. That's right, this dog can talk! And boy, is he bossy. Having a bossy dog can come in handy, though. Elvis brings out the dog lover in the most surprising people and shows Benji that making new friends may not be as scary as he once thought.

“That Elvis is a dog of dogs: the smartest, the bravest, the funniest. Also, the biggest. No wonder Benji’s adventures with him are hilarious and action-packed! Such a very fun read.” - Emily Jenkins, author of INVISIBLE INKLING and TOYS GO OUT

“It’s impossible not to fall in love with Elvis and Benji. And here I thought I was the only person who actually had conversations with his dog…” - Chris Rylander, author of THE FOURTH STALL

“This children’s book debut from Lee, a writer and producer on Disney’s ‘Shake It Up’ sitcom (and clearly a dog lover), is suffused with optimism.” - Publishers Weekly

“A lighthearted enjoyable read.” - School Library Journal (starred review)

“A funny, unabashedly feel-good boy-and-dog story. . . . This crowd-pleasing debut is definitely ready for prime time.” - Booklist (starred review)