John Lennon

School Library Journal

Gr 5-9-Kallen keeps the focus on Lennon as he recounts the Beatles's meteoric rise to fame. The group's story takes up the bulk of the book, while Lennon's post-Beatles years are addressed in the final chapter. The author doesn't mention Lennon's relationships with the other band members after the breakup, or his reconciliation with Paul McCartney. Also, the book ends abruptly after Lennon's death and misses an opportunity to discuss his legacy beyond the statement that he "-lives forever in music." The text is peppered with standard-issue, black-and-white photos that do little to enhance the presentation. The book includes lengthy quotations from various primary and secondary sources. Ultimately they show how much of the material is a rehash of more interesting sources (many of which are included in the list of books for further reading and of works consulted), and not a result of original research. Kids for whom this book is intended will find the primary-source material, whether it be The Beatles Anthology (Chronicle, 2000) or Lennon's writings, just as accessible, and more insightful.-Tim Wadham, Maricopa County Library District, Phoenix, AZ Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.