A warm-hearted, well-written book with a lot of subtleties and layers--I'm sure middle grade readers will love this one.

This is an adorable book that is all the better because it doesn't shy away from tough concepts. A kitten by the name of Elvis has been separated from his sister and he's determined to find a way to reunite with her; along the way, he gets to know 10 year old Georgina, who spends a lot of time playing Legos while trying to process her parent's divorce.

This is such a sweet and special book! I really loved Elvis and all of the other animals in this story. This is a rare story that is appealing and appropriate for younger middle-grade readers, while weaving in themes of family, loss, divorce, and friendship. This would be a terrific readaloud for 2nd-4th graders, and a wonderful addition to any school, classroom, or public library. It's also a great conversation-starter for talking about 9/11, and I loved the way the author included Twin Towers and the idea of rebuilding. Georgina's love of building with (LEGO) bricks makes this story extra-special to me, and models using art to cope with emotions. I will definitely add this wonderful story to my school library, and look forward to sharing it with students.

Elvis, a shelter cat, is in for an adventure as he is adopted by the Pembertons. Although he wanted to be adopted, he was separated from his beloved sister. In his new home, he encounters Georgina, who is struggling with her parents' divorce. The reader watches with Elvis as Georgina struggles to adapt to her new normal, and roots for Elvis as he tries to return to the shelter to rescue Etta. This story has the right blend of thoughtfulness and humor throughout the story.

Readers, this book is darling. I got the chance to read an e-ARC through NetGalley and I just adored it. The book follows a little kitten named Elvis who is separated from his sister at a pet adoption event. He goes home to a little girl named Georgina who is dealing with the divorce of her parents. Elvis joins a crew of pets already at Georgina’s house — a hamster named Mo (who might have been my favorite character!), a fish named Laverne, and a grumpy cat named Clementine. The characters are vibrant and oh-so lovable. I got such a kick out of every time Elvis said something along the lines of, “of course I know that. Please.” That “please!” was just so charming to me. Each character was so richly developed, and before too long, I had an actual voice in my head for each as they spoke — and I don’t think I do that very often. Maybe that’s part of the magic of kidlit and animals as main characters.

Beyond creating some truly lovable characters, Riddiough handles the topics of divorce and the history of the 9/11 attacks in such a tender and age-appropriate way. I pre-ordered a physics copy of the book and can’t wait for my kids to read it.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free review copy of this book.

Elvis is the plucky narrator of "Elvis and the World As It Stands" by Lisa Frenkel Riddiough, with illustrations by Olivia Chin Mueller. He is also a kitten, newly adopted by Mrs. Pemberton for her daughter Georgina. Georgina’s parents have recently separated. Unable to express her frustration at all of the changes happening with her family Georgina finds comfort in her favorite activity: constructing famous skyscrapers from legos. Elvis’ biggest wish after leaving the animal shelter is to get back there and check on his sister, Etta. When an accident forces him to postpone his escape plans he begins to form a friendship with the fellow residents of the Pemberton household, amateur architect Mo the hamster, Laverne the guardfish goldfish, and even the jealous fellow feline, Clementine. But the most special bond he forges is with the one with Georgina. With the other pets’ help Elvis figures out a way to communicate with Georgina and together they learn that families might not always look like the way we want them to, but that doesn't diminish the love we feel for them. There is a part of the book where Georgina and Elvis learn about the World Trade Center and the Freedom Tower that was built in the decade following the terrorist attack on 9/11/2001. The information included in the story is very appropriate for young middle grade readers. Additional information about 9/11 is included in the author’s note. Although a few elements of the book are a bit fantastical, the portrayal of a girl struggling with her parents’ separation is very realistic. I am confident a lot of readers would connect to Georgina’s story and find comfort in Elvis’ telling of it.

With thanks to NetGalley and Amulet Books for an early copy in return for an honest review.

Particularly as we approach the 20th anniversary of 9/11 I am looking for more books to share with my students and add to my classroom library. And I think it's really important that it be a wide range of books, from those that introduce the tragic events, but are meant for younger readers, all the way to those that deal with it in a much deeper and heavier way...and we need all of them!

Elvis and the World As It Stands fits in the younger MG reader group and serves as a great way to introduce the events of 9/11 in a nonthreatening way...the narrator is a cat! I think students that like books with animals (and a lot of kids do!), will enjoy getting to hear the story from the perspective of Elvis the cat.

Lisa articulated it well in the Author's Note at the end of the book..."I wanted to explore the idea of rebuilding in the face of devastation." I think this book can not only provide discussion about 9/11 but about what it looks like for kids in the face of devastation from the pandemic.

🐱🌁 BOOK REVIEW* 🐱🌁

This is a whimsical and charming middle grade read that deals with topics like 9/11, grief, divorce, and welcoming change into one's life. There were some sweet and poignant quotes throughout the story, and I enjoyed the found family aspect alot. The ending was so heartwarming and I LOVE the cover! My only complaint is that the writing was a bit simplistic for me, and not all middle grade titles read that way for me. However, this book is very cute and filled with the most adorable illustrations, so it's absolutely perfect for young and beginning readers! All in all, a sweet and wholesome read🥰

* thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I adored this very special book. While the narrative voice (first person, told by Elvis the kitten!) is fun, playful, and often laugh-out-loud funny, the story digs deep into harder themes that will resonate with young readers such as family changes (divorce, moving) and larger world problems (including animals being returned to the shelter and a beautifully nuanced discussion of 9/11). I'm a couple of days out from having finished the book and I miss my new animal friends! I can't wait to share this book with the young readers that I know when it comes out.

Funny, tender and heartfelt, Riddiough’s debut is a tribute to finding a way to rebuild after loss. Told through the POV of Elvis, a newly adopted kitten who is desperate to be reunited with his sister, Etta, Elvis and the Worlds as it Stands is by turns funny, poignant and life affirming. It’s about family- both lost and found- and finding a way forward after world-rocking loss.

With themes surrounding 9-11 expertly woven into the story, this is a beautiful addition to any classroom or home library for young readers to explore themes of loss in a tender and funny fashion.
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Thank you to the author, the publishers and Netgalley for the opportunity to read an ARC.

There's a whole lot to love in this middle grade debut! When kitty Elvis is adopted into a new family and separated from his sister Etta, he tries everything he can think of to find his way back to her. But if only humans weren't so difficult! Expertly weaving in themes of separated families, loss, and the meaning of home, Elvis's story will tug at your heart and and ultimately leave you with the same feeling as a warm pet cuddling up to your side. And in its treatment of the long shadows cast by the Twin Towers, it's perfect for teachers and librarians looking to build a collection of books to honor the twentieth anniversary of 9/11.

Elvis and the World As It Stands is a thoroughly charming middle grade novel that follows the adventures of Elvis, a newly adopted calico cat, who struggles to adjust to his new home and badly wants to reunite with his littermate, Etta. This heartfelt and often hilarious story features a dynamic cast of animals--Mo, the optimistic hamster who's a bit of a know-it-all, Bambi, the over-enthusiastic dog who's really struggling with basic commands, Clementine, another misunderstood feline, and Laverne, the screaming goldfish (and my personal favorite, for obvious reasons). But perhaps most compelling are the humans who care for this ragtag group of animals. Georgina, a budding architect who's still grieving her parents divorce, and Mommy and Daddy who are clearly trying to do right by their daughter but can't quite make the pieces fit together. This book is a beautiful tribute to the power of found families, and I can't recommend this enough for readers of all ages (but especially those younger middle grade readers--they will LOVE this!).

What an absolute joy! ELVIS AND THE WORLD AS IT STANDS is a delight from start to finish. The cast of animal characters is beautifully drawn, pulling me in in from the very first chapter: Elvis the cat, desperately missing his sister, Etta since they were separated at the animal shelter; Mo Pemberton the wise and optimistic hamster; Laverne the goldfish sentinel; Clementine, the cat who's grumpy for a good reason; Bambi the dog, who just wants to be a good boy. Together, these unlikely animal allies tell a tender and beautiful story about 'resilience and fortitude,' the nature of humans (they have so many bags!), the beauty of found family, and the importance of rebuilding after a tragedy. September 11th is woven into the narrative in a sensitive, poignent, and meaningful way. I can't wait to cheer for this story. Young readers will adore it. Many thanks to Lisa Frenkel Riddiough, Abrams Kids, and NetGalley for the eARC.

Elvis and the World as it Stands is an adorable book that looks at life through the narrative of Elvis, a shelter kitten who gets adopted and builds a budding and loving relationship with Georgina. This book gave me all the feels and I think it’s a must for everyone whose ever had a pet!

This was an incredibly cute story told from a cats perspective. Its a middle grade novel but doesn’t read as one and I was still able to enjoy it even though I’m well past middle grade age.
Elvis’ story was well told and even though he’s been separated from his sister he begins to accept his new home, befriend the other pets at the home, and even feel empathy for the family and what they’re going through. I really enjoyed this book and the themes it presented.