An interesting and impressive style of prose sweeps
us into the life of twelve year old Elvis Crampton Lucas; soundsmith and
YouTuber.
When Elvis was a baby, he was left at the zoo under a newspaper and
picked up and placed in a Stetson by George Lucas (not the famous one) who raised
him as his son.
On his twelfth birthday, Elvis’ wishes he knew why he was abandoned. George, with Lloyd, their best friend, decide to make Elvis’ wish
come true. Lloyd provides the money from an unusual source and with the Aftenposten, the newspaper found with
Elvis, and hearts full of hope and optimism, they set off for Norway.
Their
search for the answer to Elvis’ question, found at the end of the greatest
adventure of their never-travelled lives, will change them forever.
Along with mysterious occurrences, loss of
passports, and being chased by unknown men in strange places, many dilemmas confront
the group. It’s Elvis’ sharp mind that solves riddles and opens the way to a
succession of clues in the chain that stretches across the world.
The three characters are unique. They are bound
together by unconditional love and acceptance. Seekers of happiness, they all
own spontaneity, impulse and fearlessness. These traits will be needed to link
the mysterious events, revelations, and countless obstacles they will encounter
before they reach their final destination and the answer to Elvis’ why.
This is a complex and multi-layered story filled
with brilliance. The journey undertaken by Elvis, George and Lloyd is one of
excitement, anticipation and repetitive acts of love. Each character is changed
by the journey to truth that they have undertaken together. Although it is
about growth and change, lies and truth, it also reveals how some people live
with a person all their lives and never really know them.
Themes of identity, family ties, truth and hidden secrets
hum with tension through this outstanding piece of work forcing the pages to
turn. It is Chloe Daykin’s second novel.
Title:
The Boy Who Hit Play
Author:
Chloe Daykin
Publisher,
Allen & Unwin, $14.99
Publication
Date: August 2018
Format:
Paperback
ISBN:
9780571326785
For
ages: 12+
Type: Middle Grade Fiction
