Reviewed by LadyJay for TeensReadToo.com
"There was so much to say......Now I had someone to say it to."
Blanche Kelly knows good music. She knows music because of her father, Duncan Kelly. He was a musical genius, in his prime.
But most of the people at Laurel Hall Academy (fondly referred to as LaHa by its students) don't know this detail of her life. She tries to keep his influence hidden, but it's always there - the guitar he left with her mother; the music column that she writes for the school newspaper; the snippets of lyrics that Blanche begins to pen.
It all culminates with the creation of The Fringers, an all-female rock band, sprung from the mind of Blanche Kelly herself. Blanche does not necessarily want to start a band, but her over-bearing guidance counselor feels that it would be best if Blanche "stretch" herself artistically. So, The Fringers are born, and a journey begins.
Blanche learns much about herself as a musician, as a daughter, and as a person. Her journey is surreal, yet surprising and profound.
TEMPO CHANGE is an excellent novel. It reminded me a lot of the film Almost Famous. William Miller and Blanche Kelly are very similar characters. Both are thrust into the music industry and must find their way without losing any integrity. Even if you are not familiar with Almost Famous, the book still resonates.
If you are passionate about something, anything, read this.
"There was so much to say......Now I had someone to say it to."
Blanche Kelly knows good music. She knows music because of her father, Duncan Kelly. He was a musical genius, in his prime.
But most of the people at Laurel Hall Academy (fondly referred to as LaHa by its students) don't know this detail of her life. She tries to keep his influence hidden, but it's always there - the guitar he left with her mother; the music column that she writes for the school newspaper; the snippets of lyrics that Blanche begins to pen.
It all culminates with the creation of The Fringers, an all-female rock band, sprung from the mind of Blanche Kelly herself. Blanche does not necessarily want to start a band, but her over-bearing guidance counselor feels that it would be best if Blanche "stretch" herself artistically. So, The Fringers are born, and a journey begins.
Blanche learns much about herself as a musician, as a daughter, and as a person. Her journey is surreal, yet surprising and profound.
TEMPO CHANGE is an excellent novel. It reminded me a lot of the film Almost Famous. William Miller and Blanche Kelly are very similar characters. Both are thrust into the music industry and must find their way without losing any integrity. Even if you are not familiar with Almost Famous, the book still resonates.
If you are passionate about something, anything, read this.
