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The Year the Music Changed
The Letters of Ascha McEachern-Isaacs and Elvis Presley

by Diane Thomas



      Fourteen year old Ascha hears "That's All Right, Mama" by Elvis on the radio and sends him a fan letter in February of 1955. This is the period just before Elvis become a rising star. Ascha lives with her parents and confides in Elvis her problems and secrets. Elvis in turn shares his problems with grammar, and his loneliness on the road while touring with his band. The correspondence continues for the course of one year.

This poignant story chronicles the changes that Ascha makes as she deals with her parents' unhappy marriage, her disfigurement and her intelligence. When she confides in Elvis, she writes with a maturity that is well beyond her years. She longs to help Elvis to "talk good." When Elvis replies, he encourages her to keep going and not to let anyone tease or torment her about her mouth.

This coming of age book is well written with touches of humor and bittersweetness. It has glimpses into what it must have been like to live in 1955, just before Elvis becomes famous, and the innocence that was prevalent during this time. There are also references to what was to come with the desegregation of the south and how young people felt.

A unique feature of this book is its historical accuracy. The author researched the actual locations of the towns that Elvis played in and used that information to create a timeline for the book. Also, she included a note between Elvis and his manager.

This book is a good read for teenagers who appreciate music. Although historically accurate, this is a work of fiction that gives a good description of life in the fifties and how teenagers lived.

The Book

The Toby Press LLC
2005
Hardcover
1 59264 122 9
Young Adult Historical fiction
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Excerpt
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The Reviewer

Patty Foster
Reviewed 2006
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© 2006 MyShelf.com