ME, DEAD DAD, & ALCATRAZ
Chris Lynch
HarperCollins
Fiction
ISBN: 0060597097
240 pages

Fourteen-year-old Elvin Bishop, whom readers previously met in SLOT MACHINE and EXTREME ELVIN, is at peace with his life...sort of. He has two good friends and a supportive mom, he can play a mean tuba (even if he often forgets his instrument on band day), and no one can beat him at bowling. Most of the time he doesn't think (too much) about his weight problem, his lack of popularity, or his dead father.

When Elvin's Uncle Alex shows up, calling his visit "unexpected" would be an understatement. Elvin had always been told that his dad's brother died in a plane crash, but it turns out that Alex had just gone missing after stealing and gambling away all of the money Elvin's dad left his family after his death. Now Alex is back in town, seeking redemption from his nephew.

For Alex, redemption means turning Elvin's life around, taking him to the gym, cooking him healthy (and outrageously spicy) foods, and advising him to form a rock band. For Elvin, Alex's sudden appearance is confusing but not entirely unwelcome; after years of believing that he had no blood relatives on his father's side, Elvin sees his uncle as a link to his dad.

Fans of Chris Lynch's earlier books about Elvin will recognize Elvin's sarcasm and particularly wry sense of humor, often directed at his own weaknesses. Although ME, DEAD DAD, & ALCATRAZ can stand alone, readers meeting Elvin for the first time might have difficulties getting into his head. If they persevere, though, readers will discover an appealing, unassuming antihero whose weaknesses provide not only comic relief but also emotional honesty.

   --- Reviewed by Norah Piehl

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