Watertown Author Releases New YA Book

WATERTOWN, MA – A Watertown author's latest Young Adult novel weaves a tale of big city dreams with the harsh reality of racial discrimination in 20th century America.

Set against the backdrop of the early 1900s' vaudeville scene, Liza Ketchum's "The Life Fantastic" tells the story of 15-year-old Teresa, who has a "voice like a nightingale." Teresa escapes Vermont for New York, where she dreams of starring on Broadway.

Along the way she meets Pietro, a talented African American dancer, and she quickly develops feelings for him. Pietro understands better than Teresa the danger he faces if they act on their feelings, but she admires his fight for justice and joins him in the struggle to win equal rights.

"The Life Fantastic" has been hailed by critics for its candid at racial discrimination in the arts scene of the early 20th century.

Ketchum will sign copies of her book at Porter Square Books in Cambridge on Thursday, March 9 at 7 p.m.

Images submitted by Adams Media