Dancing with Elvis

by Lynda Stephenson

It's 1956, and ever since she and her mother rescued Angel Musseldorf from her abusive parents, Frankilee Baxter has been miserable. In addition to being more pretty, popular, and talented than Frankilee, Angel moves in, steals Frankilee's clothing, and begins dating the boy Frankilee likes. At the same time, Frankilee's community is struggling with the issue of school integration.

What keeps Frankilee going is her fantasy about Elvis Presley rescuing her from life in Clover, Texas. But this restless teenager is a realist and doesn't wait around for things to get worse. She devises a plan to get rid of Angel, begins a local Elvis fan club, and works to promote integration. What Frankilee doesn't bargain for is becoming involved in a burglary, an elaborate kidnapping scheme, and a shooting.

With humor and heart,  Dancing with Elvis  tells of one young woman's coming of age in the South during a time of change in America's history.

Genres: Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Coming Of Age

323 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Born and reared in the Texas Panhandle town of Shamrock, Stephenson attended Trinity University in San Antonio and then received her Master’s Degree and doctoral work in English from the University of Oklahoma. A former English professor at East Central University, Ada, Oklahoma, she is a prolific writer of poetry, essays, and short stories. An avid traveler, she currently lives with her husband, Gene, and their cat, Zorro, in Edmond, Oklahoma.

Reviews

[Stephanie Fitzgerald]

I am so very disappointed with this book. Pushed myself to pg. 125 before I gave up. The vulgar language was very frequently used by the teen-age girl protagonist, more so than in many books for adults. This was supposed to be geared toward Y.A. readers. Also, I’ve read many stories set in the 1950’s, and I’ve never encountered a female teen that was even allowed to say such words.
I will not be recommending this book to anyone of any age.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

More of a 3.5 than a 4, but still good. The strongest aspect of the book is its narration, and Frankilee is sometimes surprising enough that I laughed out loud reading it. There isn't an overt plot, more like major things happening in a slice-of-life setting; that's something I don't usually enjoy, but this one had the popping narration to carry it.

[Karimah · Rating 5 out of 5]

i loved this book

[Lisa Terwilliger · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun YA read.

[Emma Bottom · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book!!!! It was sooo good! But there was a LOT of cussing and a few things weren't really apropiete for my age. A rally good book though!!

[Annemarie De · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was good and held my interest really well

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

This could've been a much better story, I was a little surprised at the end though. I wasn't too fond of either character to be honest, they where both brats and Frankilee kept whining the whole book. I don't know if this was a deliberate mistake or not but when she talks about the movie "Singin' in the Rain" she says Fred Arstaire is in the movie, that is wrong, it was Gene Kelley. This author obviously had a very good story ready to be told, but this wasn't what it turned out to be. I thought it would be like a teenage version of "The Help" and I think Skeeter was a little like Frankilee but this story wasn't "The Help". I'm not sure if I would be willing to read another book by this author.

[P. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Frankilee is gutsy right up until the point where she really needs to be, and then she chickens out. There are at least 2 huge examples of this in the story. She made me very frustrated.

However.

I liked the way that Stephenson presented characters that didn't magically come around to approving of integration just because people spoke out about it--a realistic portrayal of obstinacy begat by tradition. And the hypocrisy of just wanting integration so that the white school's football team could finally win.

[Emma Murzic · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dancing with Elvis was a funny fast read. The main character Frankielee has been an only child for 17 years and now she is forced to put up with a overly talented Angle Mussledorf, who Frankielee and her mom rescued because of Angel's abussive mother. The story takes place in an important time in history and talks about integration of white schools. I would recommend this book because of the wit of the writer. The one thing that I didn't like about the book was that at times it was a slow read.

[Joyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

liked Frankilee's voice & naivete, and laughed out loud at some of her descriptions/opinions. enjoyed seeing a slice of small-town Texas ca. 1954; especially impressed with black house-help's perspective on integration ("white boys is MEAN to black boys", and moved by the Negro community's total lack of power; also by their preacher's redirection of their sorrow to joy at the true meaning of life. Angel's deception is totally unexpected; it's a satisfying story.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

What I liked about this novel was the period it was set. I enjoyed it simply for the snap shot of the time frame. The story was good, not terrible or anything, but it wasn't something I'm likely to re-read either.

[Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think it was a very good book. It was hard to put down. I think the author does a good job at describing the time period and brings up the social challenges that were present during that time period. It made me laugh too. I would recommend it.

[Agatha Donkar Lund · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this. Couldn't put it down.

[Maureen Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although a Young Adult book, I really had a good time reading it. Four stars may be a bit high but fast, easy, fun-feels good to be young again.

[Katrina Karsten · Rating 3 out of 5]

Elvis was a dog in this book

[Dianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a funny, fun read.

[Stephanie A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

More about racial tensions than I expected. Well written and good at evoking the era, but not that exciting.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this story. The heroine, Frankilee, is such a funny, loveable character. She was REAL! The plot was very original and has a very interesting twist.

[Jonathan Peters · Rating 4 out of 5]

I LOVED THIS BOOK! But if you are planning to read this soon, keep in mind it is very mature.