ME, DEAD DAD, & ALCATRAZ

Elvin’s back in another frenetic adventure in everyday living. This time out he’s coping with an errant uncle, recently risen from the presumed-dead, who’s determined to do his duty by his awkward, overweight, fatherless nephew. Readers of Elvin’s earlier exploits won’t be too surprised to discover that nothing quite works out the way it’s intended to, from Elvin’s new hairdo to his terrifyingly educational trip to the gym. Uncle Al’s attempted reconciliation with his own wife and family is the final disaster, after which he disappears once again, leaving Elvin not quite back where he began. The return of Elvin, his quirky but supportive mom and caring yet callous friends, Frank and Mike, will be most welcome to fans of Lynch’s earlier works. They will doubtless enjoy the humorous self-deprecating first-person narration, ridiculous situations and fast-paced plot, while readers new to Elvin’s unique world may find themselves wondering if they’ve missed something. Offbeat yet oddly engaging, just like Elvin. (Fiction. YA)