Kilpatrick gradually moves from listener to accordion player to performer. Finding her singing voice, she finds her writing one as well. "Accordion Dreams" is for anyone who has ever fallen under the spell of a place and people (and) experienced the thrill of obsession.

By the conclusion of this warm and winning memoir, the reader is likely to agree with Kilpatrick's eldest son, Alec. "Lucky thing Dad didn't take you to Milwaukee for your birthday," he told her, years later. "You might be playing polkas."