Elvis and the Underdogs: Secrets, Secret Service, and Room Service

Elvis and the Underdogs #2

by Jenny Lee, Kelly Light (Illustrations)

Perfect for fans of R. J. Palacio and Gordon Korman, this is the hilarious and heartwarming sequel to Elvis and the Underdogs from author Jenny Lee, former writer on the popular Disney Channel show Shake It Up . It's been months since Benji's former safety dog, Elvis, was whisked away by the Secret Service, but Benji still misses him terribly. Luckily, because Elvis is now the president's dog, there are plenty of pictures and videos of him online. While watching the footage of the president's speech on the White House lawn, Benji and his friends Alexander and Taisy see Elvis thumping his tail repeatedly. Is he trying to tell Benji something? The kids realize it's actually a code! And Elvis needs their help. And so begins another madcap adventure in which these underdog best friends will have to find a way to travel to DC, find out the truth behind Elvis's distress signals, and uncover state secrets without getting caught . . . or they may have to say good-bye to Elvis for good.

Genres: Middle Grade, Childrens, Humor, Friendship, Family, Dogs, Animals

352 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Jenny Lee's first young adult novel, a modern reinvention of Anna Karenina titled Anna K., will be published by Flatiron Books in March 2020.

Jenny previously served as Co-Executive Producer for the BET television adaptation of Boomerang. She was a writer and producer on the ABC Family sitcom Young & Hungry, as well as the Disney Channel's number-one-rated kids' show Shake It Up.

The author of four humor essay books, Jenny is also the author of Elvis and the Underdogs.

Reviews

[♡malyshka♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book🥺🫶

[Heidi Burkhart · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gave this volume four stars but it probably deserved closer to 3 or 3 1/2.

This is a sequel to "Elvis and the Underdogs" which was quite an amusing read. This volume wasn't as strong, but kids who enjoyed the first book would probably enjoy this even less probable second book.

[natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

I loved this book it is very great for all ages this is the second book it helped me a lot to read the first one first

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

You have to love Elvis's.

[Alex · Rating 2 out of 5]

Buddy read with H.

This wasn't as good as the first one, but it was cute. However, both my nephew and I were really upset at the way poor Ripley is treated by Benji.

[Ryder · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the first book and I loved it so I got the second book and it wa seven better its about benji missing elvis becuase elvis goes to the goverment and benji sends tons of mail to him bt he dosent responed to them. But wehn he never respondes he thinks to him self he is busy but he just never responded to him. Benji gets realy sad about it so he talks to his mom but his mom says dont get to sad about it becuse he only had for a little bit. He said it was he best first dog he ould ver ask for.

[Hoover Public Library Kids and Teens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Benji is reunited with his former therapy-dog-turned-President-of-the-USA's-dog in D.C. Hilarity and adventure as Benji and his two best friends turn their brains and enthusiasm to a difficult task. They must keep Elvis from becoming a present to Japan's prime minister. (In case you didn't read the first book, Elvis is a talking dog, though only Benji can understand him. And Elvis has a way with words. So does a brand-new character Kimmie. That girl is a trip.)

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a good light read I just randomly picked off the library shelf. It has good light humor, but the plot is meant to be silly. After his dog, Elvis, was taken away to be the president's dog, Benji must follow him to DC to save him from an unknown problem. I did not know this was the second book in the series until I saw it on Goodreads, so it can function as a standalone book. Overall, a humorous look on a dog and boy's friendship.

[Elza · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I really liked the first book, this one didn't have enough Elvis in it! It was entertaining (although far fetched in a variety of ways), but I missed the dialog with the dog. Definitely a set up for a third book....

[Karen Arendt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fun sequel to Elvis and the Underdogs. I loved the adventures Benji has with his two friends, Taisy, and Alexander as well as their reunion with Elvis, the president's dog. It would be a fun read aloud.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only quibble I could have with this audiobook is that the pastry chef sounds like someone from a cartoon. Other than that, the reader is spot on. The content itself is wonderful -- yes, I cried at the end. And couldn't believe it when I did.

[Brenda Kahn]

Reviewing for SLJ

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

David enjoyed

[Nanci Booher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading this before I read book 1...then I went back and straightened myself out:-) This is a really fun series and I hope that Jenny Lee decides to continue on.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny, good follow up to the first book.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

an imaginative and inventive book about three friends coming up with a scheme to get them to Washington DC to visit one's old dog. Loved the team work and the playfulness of this book.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read-aloud with the boys.

[Liberty Lambert · Rating 5 out of 5]

i really want to read it
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