The Boy Who Hit Play

by Chloe Daykin

It's time,' I say. 'For ... It. Me. You. Us. The bench. The zoo. The question. Why? '

The only thing that Elvis Crampton Lucas knows about where he's from is that he was found on the bench at a zoo. And that his now father took him home in a Stetson hat, and named him after the first three vinyl he picked off his shelf. But now, on his twelfth 'discovery day', it's time for Elvis to find out who left him at the zoo, and why?

On an epic adventure that takes Elvis to an island off the coast of Norway, he will finally discover the truth about his past...

Genres: Contemporary, Coming Of Age, Childrens, Middle Grade, Adventure

336 pages, Paperback

Published July 5, 2018

Reviews

[Rhuddem Gwelin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not really a 3, more like 2 3/4, but OK it's a pleasant read about Elvis (not that one) and George Lucas (not that one) on an odyssey in Norway to find young Elvis's birth parents. The writing style is quite cool and the characters likeable enough but the story is very thin and altogether SPOILER too happy-ending with found parents and an inherited fortune to boot. If you're looking for a quick kid-but-adult-too read, this will please you, as it did me.

[Sena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elvis daha 2 haftalık iken hayvanat bahçesinin parkına bir gazete içinde bırakılmış.George onu bulmuş ve oğlu gibi bakmış bu 25 haziranda 12 yaşına girdi.Onun doğum gününde Ima halası,Lloyd (babasının en yakın arkadaşı)ve Singh vardı.Elvis gerçek anne ve babasını bulmak istiyordu.Babasına sordu ve babası küçükken gazetenin yanında adres ve numara olan bir kağıt olduğunu söyledi.Elvis de oradaki adresi bulmak için babası ve Lloyd ile yola çıktı. Siyah takım elbiseli bir adam onları takip ediyordu bu Lloyd ‘un kardeşi Floyd idi .Trene bindiler orada Bjorn adında bir arkadaşı oldu.Ona hikayesini anlatmaya başladı ve kağıtta fark etti ki Kağıttaki K ‘lerle Lloyd ve Floyd ‘un K’leri uyuyordu.Bjorn ona Floyd belki senin babandır dedi.Trenden inip bir araba kiraladılar Floyd onların peşine düşüp onlara mermi atıyordu.Elvis kağıttaki numarayı aradı bir kadın çıktı.Kadın onları bir adamın alacağını söyledi .Norveç’e vardılar bir adam valizlerini aldı ve gitti Elvis ,Lloyd ve babası arkasından koştular.Kristen adında bir kadınla tanıştılar o annesi değildi.Kristen ‘ın Lene adında bir yeğeni vardı o da oradaydı.Kristen gerçek hikayesini anlatmaya başladı .Kristen annesinin en yakın arkadaşı idi .Annesinin madde bağımlılığı ve para sıkıntısı vardı.Elvis’e hamile iken bırakmıştı.Elvis doğunca onu bırakmış ve Kristenın tüm paralarını alıp kaçmıştı.Akşam olanları düşünürken bir ses duydu Kristen ,Lloyd ‘e bağırıyordu neden ona gerçekleri söylemedin onun ailesisin diyordu.Sabah Elvis Lloyd ‘u aramaya başladı ama Kristen’ın onu kovduğunu öğrendi.Lloyd ‘un konumunu telefondan buldu ve Lene kayığı ile gidebileceklerini söyledi .Lene ‘nin babası o küçükken ağaca çarpıp ölmüştü annesi (Nina)de sıkıntılı biriydi.O Lloyd’un olduğu yerde bir festivalde idi.Floyd Nina ya para teklif ediyordu.Annesi kabul etmemiş ve Lloyd ‘u orada buldular.Her şeyi anlattı Lloyd Elvisin amcası idi.Elvisin babası Floyd muydu yani ?!!??!? Olamazdı Lene nin kayığını alıp denize kaçtı.Arkadan Lloyd geldi ve Floyd değil senin baban Boyd dedi.Benim küçük kardeşim ağaca çarpıp öldü dedi.Ağaç? Annesinin Sıkıntılar? Lene? Leneyle kardeşlerdi.Lloyd Elvis ve Lene ‘nin ikiz olduğunu söyledi.Floyd ‘un Nina ya para teklif etme nedeni ise Elvisin öldüğünü ispatlaması idi. Elvis olanlara hâlâ şaşırıyordu ama George onun babası olduğu için mutluydu.

[Mdaly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Recommended by my daughter I read this book and was very disappointed by the plot and the ending. The boy is a likable character but oddly most of the adults display an amazing lack of maturity. The plot, thin as it is, doesn't hang together very well. Why are they being followed when the other brother already knows the destination? Why wait 12 years? Why take one sibling and not the other, how cruel is it to split up a family, however dysfunctional, in that manner? How have 12 years passed without any social services becoming involved from either country, you can't adopt a son without someone knowing or wondering where you got a kid? How creepy is it for a 'friend' to keep turning up in your house unannounced at odd times?
Fortunately it's a quick read.

[Lauren Hanslow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elvis is a boy who was left on a bench in a zoo as a baby, where a man found him and became his dad. On Elvis' 12th 'Birthday' he makes his dad aware that he wants to learn about his parents and where he comes from. Elvis, his dad and his dad's friend set out on an adventure to discover Elvis' heritage, using only the small clues that were left for them. I thought that this book was really well written and I enjoyed the way that the author consistently used the formatting of text for effect. The story overall was quite gripping, which meant that it was difficult to put down the book! I found the storyline and Elvis' voice to be very wholesome and sweet, and I think that there are a lot of elements that children could relate to. I'd recommend this book for year 4+

[Cortney Westhoff-O'Farrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this aloud as a bedtime story. Found that it was a quick, entertaining, and curiously strange story. As the reader, I found myself wanting to read this book then putting it down and wondering what I'd just read - there are plenty of twists and unexpected turns. For my husband, who usually falls asleep for most bedtime stories, he was curious enough to stay awake - loved the characters and the adventure. Our children couldn't get enough of Lloyd (11 and 9). To me there is also a thread of intuition in the boy, Elvis, seeking his paternal parents and although this intuition doesn't always go they way the reader would hope in the end he figures everything out and makes the most of his lot at the end and gets an even bigger family to boot. We'd read it again!

[Francesca Anker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Elvis (not the singer) sets out on an adventure to find his birth parents with his dad and a wacky family friend. Full of twists, I found this book quite gripping, and the author creates the voice of Elvis clearly and effectively. My only problem with this book was that the restrictions in language use and the author’s decision to present information in a detached manner does not encourage pupils to be creative in their own writing. Children who enjoy adventures and mysteries will enjoy this book and the relatable main character.

[Eleanor Blair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perhaps I'm biased when reading a book written by an old family friend, but I loved this. The road (and rail, and plane, and boat) trip of a lifetime, bringing Norway alive, with a cast of warm friendly people along the way. As they go the plot ramps up in excitement and perhaps down in plausibility - but who needs a story to be plausible when it starts with a baby named Elvis abandoned at a zoo. A romp, but surprisingly thoughtful too, and the framing works well. Thanks for another lovely book Chloe!

[C.J. Milbrandt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elvis (not that Elvis) has always known the story of how he was found and taken in and raised by George Lucas (not that George Lucas). But he begins to wonder about his birth parents. He wants to know *why* he was abandoned. So he and his dad and his dad's best friend gather up their scanty clues and go on a trip to find the answer.

I adored this book, which kept me wondering & on the edge of my seat right to the finish. Good stuff!

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book took me a while to read. I think there was a great storyline, but so much more could have been done. Nothing really seemed to happen during the story, and then suddenly at the end everything happened. Sometimes thus book was a bit boring, but then the story was always picked up with something exciting. I would recommend this book, but I think I have read better.

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe the flakey adults and bizarre coincidences will not work for everyone, but if you go with the flow, this story is a delicious lyrical journey about family and belonging. The narrative style, at times, puts it at as slightly higher reading level so good for a read-aloud for ages 7+ or solo reader from about 10.

[Helena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Epic journey with lots of twists and turns. Floyd/detective reminded me of Count Olaf in A series of Unfortunate events.

Felt a bit disjointed in parts - but this was probably part of the plot?

It was obvious that Elvis loved his father - but still wanted to find out the truth.

[Enor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elvis Crampton Lucas was left on a bench by a zoo, and now he sets out to find out why. Why was he left there? Who are his parents? On an epic journey through the beautiful lands of Norway, Elvis discovers finding his parents isn't as simple as he thought.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read & reviewed for The Bookbag.
http://www.thebookbag.co.uk/reviews/i...

[seyma ye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow I just feel fascinated by the story

[Liz Mckay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book,loved her descriptions of the natural world.

[Diarmuid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliantly written book best book I have read in years☺

[Dionne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the narrative style.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like the way it's written, short snappy sentences, fast moving action, and the way the main character hears what is going on around him. Lovely tale.of self discovery

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I couldn’t even finish it I found it very boring yet I did like some bits of it

[Nisa Nur · Rating 1 out of 5]

I only read 30-40 pages. The book doesn't flow smoothly. But the introduction was very good.

[Rose Scholefield · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even year 7 found this ‘mid.’

[bibliophileprincess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tek solukta bitiverdi. Küçük Elvis'in İngiltere'den Norveç'e uzanan inanılmaz heyecanlı kendini bulma yolculuğunu macera sevenler kaçırmasın!

[Beyza · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kuzenime kitap okumayı aşılamak için aldığım çocuklara yönelik zevkli bir kitap.