A gripping story unfolds about a young and talented female singer. Despite her gifts, she is deeply damaged. She finds herself in a difficult situation as she is raising her toddler son while being on the road with a band that neither likes nor appreciates her. The lack of support from the band members adds to her emotional turmoil.

Adding to her woes, she is constantly running from the ex-con father of her son. The fear and uncertainty that this brings haunt her every step of the way.

Yet, despite all the challenges and the disturbing nature of her circumstances, this story is an emotional and satisfying read. It delves into the depths of her character, showing her strength and vulnerability. It makes the reader empathize with her struggles and cheer for her as she tries to overcome the obstacles in her path. It is a story that will stay with you long after you have turned the last page.

I don't usually read teen fiction.

However, this particular book is an exception. It is a remarkable piece of work that delves into several important teen/YA issues.

The story explores the challenges faced by a character whose mother is an alcoholic, which undoubtedly has a significant impact on her life.

There is also the complication of a psychotic druggie ex-boyfriend, adding another layer of drama and danger.

In addition, the character is dealing with a struggling career, trying to find her way in the adult world while still being a teenager.

And to top it off, she is also a teen mother, facing the responsibilities and difficulties that come with raising a child at such a young age.

This book does an excellent job of presenting these issues in a realistic and engaging way, making it a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complex lives of teenagers.

Great Toddler, Great Music Stuff

Toddlers are truly amazing little beings. Their energy and curiosity are boundless, and they have a natural inclination towards exploring the world around them. One of the most wonderful ways to engage with a toddler is through music. Music has the power to captivate their attention,激发 their creativity, and bring joy to their lives.

There are so many great music stuff available for toddlers. From simple musical instruments like tambourines and xylophones to colorful music toys that play different tunes, there is something to suit every toddler's taste. Singing songs and dancing along to the music is also a great way to bond with your little one and have some fun together.

In addition to being a source of entertainment, music can also have many educational benefits for toddlers. It can help them develop their language skills, improve their coordination, and enhance their cognitive abilities. So, if you have a toddler in your life, be sure to introduce them to the wonderful world of music and watch them thrive.

I really couldn't make up my mind about how much I actually liked this book.

On one hand, I just couldn't put it down. It had a certain allure that kept me engaged from start to finish.

However, the main character was a bit of a bother. She continuously put herself in the most horrible situations, which made me cringe at times.

But despite that, the characters in general were really interesting. Each one had their own unique traits and personalities that made them come alive on the pages.

Surprisingly, I found myself really pulling for the main character, even though she made some really bad choices. Maybe it was because I could see a glimmer of hope or potential in her.

In the end, I'm still not sure if I loved this book or just liked it a lot. But one thing's for sure, it definitely made an impact on me.

This is an amazing book! It's an extremely fast read that I was able to finish in less than 24 hours.

The story was so engaging and captivating that I couldn't put it down.

The author has a wonderful writing style that makes the book a joy to read.

I found myself completely immersed in the world she created and eager to see what would happen next on every page.

After finishing this book, I am now very interested in reading more of her works.

I'm sure that her other books will be just as great and will provide me with the same level of entertainment and enjoyment.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good story and a quick read.

The interview with the author in the back of this book calls this "literary fiction".

If I'd read that first, I would have skipped it. I don't really think it was. Although some authors seem to think that if you add a lot of gratuitous pain and suffering, you're suddenly literary.

There were elements like a battered wife, rape, drugs, guns, and blood.

And yet, mixed up in all that, there was a good story with good characters.

But I don't think it was worth wading through the gore to get there.

It's as if the author sacrificed the overall reading experience by overloading it with such extreme and often unnecessary content.

The good aspects of the story were almost buried under the weight of all the violence and tragedy.

Perhaps a more balanced approach could have been taken to present the story and its characters in a more engaging and less off-putting way.

As it stands, I'm left with a somewhat negative impression of what could have been a really great piece of literature.

I am an extremely huge Lisa Tucker fan. I first started with reading "Song Reader" and not long after I finished that wonderful book, I picked up this one and simply devoured it.

This book will always hold an incredibly special place within my heart. I initially read this book right after graduating from college and instantly fell in love with Patty's remarkable strength and her unwavering determination to create a better life for both herself and her son.

A few years later, after I myself became a single mother, I re-read this book and discovered a whole new connection to Patty. I understood what it is like to fall so deeply in love that you completely miss all the warning signs.

What I adored both the first time and after re-reading this book was Patty's strength. It wasn't just her desire to make a better life for her son, but also her efforts towards truly trying to figure out who she is and not repeating the same mistakes.

This is a book that will truly speak to your heart. It has the power to make you laugh, to make you cry, and it will make you so engrossed that you won't want to put it down until you have completed the entire book. It is most definitely well worth the read!

This is a remarkable book that can be regarded as both a true crime story and an inspiring autobiography of overcoming hardships.

Patty Taylor endures a great deal in this narrative. She has a difficult childhood with an alcoholic mother, which sets a challenging foundation for her life. Then, in her teenage years, she engages in a relationship that is doomed to bring heartache and future pain. Her boyfriend is troubled and ultimately ends up in prison.

Despite these setbacks, Patty finds herself in a desperate situation as a homeless single mom. However, she discovers her talent as a singer and begins traveling with a band as its lead singer. Her voice is so powerful that it can "shout down the moon." This unique gift eventually leads her to where she needs to be in life.

Overall, it is a great story that showcases Patty's strength, resilience, and the power of following one's passion. It is a testament to the human spirit and the ability to overcome even the most difficult circumstances.

This book is truly remarkable.

It is one of the best realistic contemporaries that I have ever had the pleasure of reading.

The emotions it evokes are intense, it is so heartbreaking yet so real.

I feel that it is a hidden gem that needs more recognition.

It pains me to think that not many people know about this wonderful book.

I had stopped fervently recommending it to people for a while, but I have now decided to start doing that again.

I believe that everyone should have the opportunity to experience the beauty and power of this story.

It has the ability to touch your heart and make you think about life in a whole new way.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves realistic fiction and is looking for a deeply moving and thought-provoking read.

Give it a chance and I am sure you will not be disappointed.

“Shout Down the Moon” by Lisa Tucker is an engaging novel that tells the story of Patty Taylor, a remarkable young woman. Patty is not only a single mother but also the lead singer of a cover band. Growing up with an alcoholic mother, her childhood was filled with hardships. She endured homelessness and worked long twelve-hour shifts washing dishes. The father of her two-year-old son, Willie, was in prison, leaving Patty to raise the child on her own. Despite the band not always being in her favor, as she was mainly hired for her looks, Patty was the key to their fame.

During a gig in Kentucky, Patty's first love and Willie's father, Rick, who had just been released from prison and was on parole, showed up at her motel. Determined to win Patty back and be with Willie, he set off a series of events that would fill Patty's life with even more obstacles. She had to deal with abuse, alcoholism, drugs, and more. However, Patty found solace in music, especially jazz. Jazz became her escape and her way to express the pain, love, and life experiences she had gone through. Her voice and her story took the reader on an emotional journey.

I had a mixed experience reading this novel. On one hand, I thoroughly enjoyed it. The text was easy to follow, and I felt a deep connection with Patty. I could understand and share many of her emotions. I was proud that she chose music as a way to cope instead of following in her mother's footsteps. I also loved that Willie was always her top priority. On the other hand, I did have some issues with the book. It was quite formulaic at times, and the plot was predictable. Patty's actions were sometimes rash and thoughtless, although it was understandable given her history with Rick. Rick's character was truly despicable, and he angered me throughout the novel.

Overall, “Shout Down the Moon” is a good novel. Although it is a teen-fiction, I would recommend it to anyone who loves music. The author did a great job of linking music to Patty's life, and at times, I could almost hear the jazz tunes playing in my mind. However, I would not recommend this book to those who are currently going through a difficult time with abuse, alcoholism, or heartbreak, as Patty's experiences may be too relatable and overwhelming.

This book was truly a page turner.

However, it was extremely difficult for me to develop any liking for Patty.

I suppose the main reason is that it was really hard for me to fathom what she could have ever seen in Rick.

After all, he was a complete psychopath.

It's baffling why she let him in and covered for him.

I guess it's hard for me to understand because I've never found myself in such a position.

Nonetheless, despite my issues with the characters, it was still an entertaining read.

The story had enough twists and turns to keep me engaged from start to finish.

Even though I didn't like Patty, her actions and decisions added an interesting layer to the plot.

And Rick, as a psychopath, brought a sense of danger and unpredictability that made the book even more thrilling.

Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone looking for an exciting and engaging read.

Jazz is not just a form of music; it is a powerful medium that sings about the various aspects of life, love, and pain.

To truly sing jazz, one has to have a deep and profound connection with the music, feeling every note and rhythm in the core of one's being.

Patty, the central character, hails from a dysfunctional family, and unfortunately, she seems to be perpetuating the cycle, bringing forth a second generation of dysfunction.

She sings in a cover band, but unfortunately, the musicians in the band don't really respect her.

Adding to her woes, her ex-convict baby daddy makes an appearance on the scene, leaving chaos and turmoil in his wake.

This story, as told by Lisa Tucker, is truly one of the best books I've read so far. It delves deep into the complex lives of its characters, exploring themes of family, love, and redemption in a way that is both captivating and thought-provoking.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good story that will tug at their heartstrings and make them think about the true meaning of life.