John Lennon

Gr 6 Up—It may seem like a stretch to include Lennon in a series called "American Rebels," but he was a permanent resident of the United States from 1976 until his death in 1980. This attractive biography includes sidebars, wide margins, large type, and many photographs throughout. Burlingame maintains readers' interest by writing in a style that is similar to People magazine. Jacqueline Edmondson's John Lennon: A Biography (Greenwood, 2010) reads like an annotated chronology of his life, often described month by month, but rarely illuminates the man's personality or his music. Imagine highlights Lennon's inherited musical talent, creative skills at writing lyrics, and his early place in the musical scene in his hometown, Liverpool. Even though he was drawn into the drug scene and had marital problems, these issues take a backseat to contributions by individuals such as Beatles' manager Brian Epstein, who early on recognized their talent and set up concerts in England, Germany, and the United States. Readers learn of the screaming female fans, the band reaching the Top Ten record charts, and recognition that they were the most famous performers in the world. The worldwide reaction to Lennon's murder attests to the love and enduring appreciation for his music.—Peggy Fleming, formerly at Churchville-Chili High School, Churchville, NY