This Boy: The Early Lives of John Lennon & Paul McCartney

by Ilene Cooper, Stewart Crank (Narrator)

An inside look at the early lives of John Lennon and Paul McCartney, This Boy is a perfect book for any young reader embracing their inner Beatlemania.

Meant for younger readers, This Boy is a gripping biography of two musical legends. Beginning with their births during World War II England and ending with their famous performance on The Ed Sullivan Show , this book is action packed from beginning to end. Whether you are a lifelong Beatles fan or new to their music, this book is an excellent source of Beatles lore that is relatively unknown. 
 
    With expert research from Ilene Cooper and rarely seen photographs of the Beatles in their early days, this book will serve as not only an interesting biography of two significant historical figures, but also a fun read about rock and roll and how the lives of two people can change the world.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Music, Middle Grade, History, Biography Memoir, Audiobook

5 pages, Audiobook

Published August 15, 2023

Reviews

[Jon Seals · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

In a world where "Tune In (The Beatles: All These Years #1)" exists, this book is unnecessary. If you read that wonderful, glorious tome by Mark Lewisohn about the early years of all members of The Beatles, you know these stories and more.

Still, we Beatles fans are a ravenous bunch. We crave Vol. 2. We crave alternative, early versions of songs we've known our entire lives. We'll read this book anyway.

It's fine. It's fairly well-done.

It's probably better than that, if you haven't read the Lewisohn book.

Thanks for reading the worst possible review of a pretty good book.

But again, do yourself a favor by reading "Tune In (The Beatles: All These Years #1)."

Sorry, not sorry.

[DaNae · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I’m not someone who is very interested in the private lives of public figures, so I don’t seek out these types of biographies. I did however find it enjoyable to discover the early lives of these two enduring powerhouses of 20th century music. I think having John as a student would have strained any educators patience.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet and informative book about the boyhoods of John Lennon and Paul McCartney, including stories about life in Liverpool after WW2 and in the 50s and lots of details about their families, schools, and friends. I was a huge Beatles fan growing up and read a lot about them, but I still learned a ton from this short book. It’s written for young people (I’m guessing 12-16) but was perfectly enjoyable to me, and I usually don’t like YA books. Great photos too, many of which I had never seen.

Here’s a link that to a a NY Times review, should work even if you don’t have an account with them: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/18/bo...

[Becky Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

On February 7, 1965 the Beatles landed in New York. It’s a date I will always remember because it was my 15th birthday. On February 9 they performed on the Ed Sullivan show and I immediately became enamored with this mop haired crew. I followed Beatlemania for several years. However, in all these years, I never understood the genius of John Lennon and Paul McCartney. This book open my eyes to the reality, and not to the fairy tail, we believed in our youth. This book is a good introduction for anyone who has interest in the Beatles. It is an inspiring read for any beginning, musician and artist

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author John Green recommended this book on his YouTube channel and I'm so glad I checked it out. Though written for a young adult audience, it has plenty of information I didn't know about Paul and John and how the Beatles were formed.

[Bethany Parker · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this was a super old book based on the writing style and how unengaging it was for me. I was surprised to know that this was not only written in the last year, but the target audience is middle schoolers. I would not recommend this to anyone but Beatles superfans!

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not one to seek out biographies of famous people, but someone suggested this to me. It was well-researched and put together, focusing on the early lives of John Lennon and Paul McCartney, but moved into how the Beatles were formed, and the afterward that included information about deaths, etc. If you even like one Beatles song, you may find this an interesting read.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5. Fun because I could picture many of the spots in Liverpool. Ended kind of abruptly when they got famous.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 5 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

The Beatles are still a band that is known by a decent number of middle schoolers, and which still has a handful of avid fans, even sixty years after the band's start. My own family has quite an interest in them; my daughter has seen both Ringo and Paul in concert and has been to Liverpool twice. In addition to being a seminal group and a cultural phenomenon, The Beatles is a group whose members were very much of their time. I loved this book not only because it told me about John Lennon and Paul McCartney, but because it showcased post war childhood in England.

I've read a number of nonfiction books Coot's Biographic: The Beatles, Leonard's Beatleness, Tiwart's The Fifth Beatle, Bellstorf's Baby's in Black, Benhke's Death of a Dreamer, and Tyler's memoir Fab 4 Mania; those are just a few titles I've reviewed on the blog. I've read many others. I've also been to Liverpool twice, gone on a tour on one of the original Magical Mystery Tour buses (in 2005), and visited The Beatles Story. This book still had some surprises for me, and I learned a lot. The research was excellent, and the style drew me right into the lives of these famous men when they were the age of the students I teach now.

My students really don't understand that the world was a very different place in the mid 1900s. They can't fathom life without cell phones and computers, and have no idea what England was like after World War II. Reading Cooper's account of the lives of the Beatles put me in mid of the PBS series Call the Midwife. McCartney's mother was, in fact, a midwife, and she also passed away when Paul was in his teens, which unsettled his family life. John's childhood was not secure until his Aunt Mimi took him in. I'd love to see Cooper write a book about Ringo Starr and how the newly created National Health Service kept him alive. Without it, given his family's poverty, Starr would have likely perished.

This is a must purchase for middle school and high school libraries. Fans of these musicians will keep it in circulation, and readers who enjoyed the portrayal of midcentury life in Tolin's More Than Marmalade, about Michael Bond (b. 1926) or The Sounds of Silence, a memoir by Myron Uhlberg (b. 1933) will enjoy this look at daily life viewed through the eyes of these iconic singers.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! “YEAH, YEAH, YEAH!” Ilene Cooper brings context to Tween and Teen readers about the early years in the lives of John Lennon and Paul McCartney in Liverpool born during and raised mostly Post-WWII.

Their chance meeting, then friendship combines friction, respect, but mostly an adoration, devotion and obsession with rock-and-roll, a “new” musical genre. (Cooper acknowledges Black writers, musicians, vocalists and their works as the origins of this “new” music, often without receiving credit, or compensation).

Cooper also points out the very early development of John and Paul’s disciplined writing practice which they maintained throughout their time as The Beatles, catapulting them and George Harrison and Ringo Starr, written about in this work as well, to international stardom, changing popular music and culture throughout present day.

This book is astounding and charming! I love that it shares with the young who the “four lads” were, are, hopefully will be ever after! They didn’t happen in a vacuum! WWII; economic inequality; loss of life, along with other early trauma and zero mental health counseling; class structure and how penalizing in England; immigration and working for a better life for family; working women outside of traditional roles in the house; lack of medical knowledge and treatment for some serious illnesses.

It is not to say that these times, circumstances were the alchemy for ‘the boys.’ But Cooper illustrates how there was so much much stirring there, early on. That in itself makes this a thrilling, hopeful, joyful read for Youth, with interests to explore and talents to develop. (And it is totally fabulous for those of us just shy of “64.”)

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an easy to read “G” rated retelling of the early lives of John Lennon and Paul McCartney. If you are aware of the more “adult” activities of both, especially John, during their early years, never fear, this is quite appropriate for younger readers who want to learn about one of the greatest song writers of the 20th century. I noticed a blatant error in chapter 6 when the author stated, “when an interviewer in 1981 asked john…” of course, John was murdered in 1980. Silly error that should have been picked up in editing, but still makes me wonder what else is in error. Nitpicking aside, a nice read that combines biography and an introduction to life in England during the 1940-50s. I suppose if she ventured too far into the 1960s, she wouldn’t have been able to keep it G rated! 😉

Another nitpick…at the end the author gives a very brief update on each of the Beatles after their breakup. She mentioned each of their wives and children except for Ringo! Why weren’t his 2 wives and children mentioned? Another editing error 🙁

[GraceAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have loved the Beatles since 1963, when I was in high school. I continue to do so, and I have read many (many!) books about them. By focusing on the childhoods of John and Paul, an intimate look at their families in delicate but intense detail, Cooper makes their personalities and the flowering of their music vividly accessible. Most of this detail I simply did not know, and that amazed me. Eye trouble meant that two-thirds through the hardcover I had to switch to the audiobook. The British reader Stewart Crank did an excellent job, even capturing some of the voice cadences of John, Paul, and George in quoted language. No matter how much you think you know about the Beatles, your understanding will be deepened and enriched.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I, like many white Americans, grew up listening to and idolizing The Beatles. Their music was campy and kitschy and fun and good. This was helped by an older sister who was really into The Beatles and visiting The Beatles museum in Liverpool. So I heard about this book and I didn’t think there was much more I could learn. I knew about the Quarry Men and Hamburg and the Cavern Club, and yet I was enthralled reading this book. In part, it’s because of the way that this book brings the time period to life with detail and character. I also really liked how this book tells both John and Paul’s early days in parallel stories so that the reader can see the differences and similarities between the two. For middle schoolers who are familiar with The Beatles, this is a must read.

[Desirae · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an adult with more than a cursory knowledge of Paul McCartney and John Lennon, I happily found this book to be informative and exceptionally well-written. The author illuminates the early relationship, ultimate success, and spellbinding musical cohesion that would lead to the greatest British musical partnership since the days of Gilbert and Sullivan. Written with objectivity and a dash of love for young readers, this book doesn't pitch down to its intended audience, and is enjoyable for adults as well. Highly recommended for casual Beatles fans and fanatics alike.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

While very detailed and at times engrossing, I question whether the tween or teen of today will be engaged in this biography. There's a lot of context about the Beatles and their relationships that lies underneath this book's story that might be missed by the intended audience, and therefore, they might get lost. I also thought the tone (I listened to the audiobook) was a little talking down to its audience, despite not glossing over tougher subjects. I liked it, but I can't see my readers in my library picking it up, music lovers or not.

[Ashley K. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although the Beatles have been my favorite musical group for as long as I can remember (I think I know every lyric by heart), I had never actually read a book about them before. Learning about John and Paul's childhood traumas puts their talent into a different context; somehow, what they accomplished is all the more impressive when it would've been a feat just to keep it together. I was a little disappointed by John's misogynistic views, but I guess you can't expect someone to be ahead of his time in all ways just because he was ahead artistically.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The image of John and Paul going to the “bad part” of Liverpool just to learn a B7 chord from a random dude asshfjdkslslsl we have it so easy nowadays.
Does a good job synthesizing many different primary sources to tell the story. Nothing I haven’t heard before but still, would make for good reading material for a new Beatles fan. Captures their quirky personalities quite well.
I get that this is supposed to be a tale of the very early days, but the pace blasts off a cliff once they get to Hamburg. The ending was super rushed.
Overall enjoyable but did inspire me to write my own someday.

[Marcia Shirk · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It's a very quick read about the early lives of John Lennon and Paul McCartney and how they met and began to make music together. It's written for 10-14-year-olds but I think it is a very interesting read for anyone of any age who was ever a Beatles fan. I had no idea their early lives were so tumultuous and it gave me an even greater appreciation of the music they created.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

There have been many biographies written about the Beatles, but what makes this one different is that it focuses primarily on John and Paul’s lives as kids. Written for middle school and high school students, it is a fascinating read for adult fans too. Do you have to be a Beatles fan to appreciate it? I think so. Place this in the hands of students who seem to have an interest in knowing more about their journey to become Beatles than the music that made them famous.

[Bee · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am a lifelong Beatles fan, and generally love anything about them, but…

This book just left me feeling like so much was missing from it. It reads like a list of events, with a few general comments about John and Paul, and their relationship.

If you are a longtime, hardcore fan who’s followed their careers, there’s not much new information here.

If you don’t know much already about either Lennon or McCartney, or their early days when they first met, then you might enjoy this book more.

[Patricia H · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great early bio of Paul and John -- great insights and details, plus some pictures I'd never seen before -- and I have many Beatles books! Well researched with a thorough index, end notes, and bibliography. It's described as for young adults, but reads well for regular old "Beatles" adults, too. The author was destined to write this book -- for proof just see the photo on Page 172.

[Nan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although this is written for young adults, This Boy provides plenty of interesting information to any fan of The Beatles. The author provides detailed information about John Lennon's sad and troubled childhood and Paul McCartney's decidedly warmer family life. How these two experiences came together to create unforgettable music is a tale worth reading about.

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative backstory for Lennon & McCartney, with brief inclusion of Ringo and George as necessary, to explain how the Quarrymen became the Beatles. Although written by an author described in the jacket blurb as writing books for 'young people,' neither the style nor the content are tailored for what might be expected of such a genre.

[Rebe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve read several books about The Beatles. This was different because it mainly focused on Paul and John’s adolescence and how they met, fell in love with music, and their personal lives. I learned lots of new things, and feel bad for these two young boys who lost their mothers much too early. It definitely affected them both. I enjoyed this one a lot.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first half of this charming book covers, in great detail, the lives of John and Paul up to the moment they were introduced following that famous Quarrymen gig. The second half details their burgeoning friendship and creative partnership in the days leading up to the formation of The Beatles. The prose is warm and matter-of-fact. I loved it.

[C.I. DeMann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a giant music nerd and came into this book knowing a great deal about the Beatles, but this book taught me a lot. As advertised, it covered the early lives of John and Paul, and covered parents, schools, friends, girlfriends, and trying to learn instruments and form bands. None of these things are usually covered when people discuss the Beatles. Really enjoyed this book.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! I first heard the Beatles on the radio in 1963. Then they appeared on Ed Sullivan’s show in February, 1964. I fell in love. I received their first album on my 14th birthday that year and they are still my favorite group!

[Gwen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book, however there were several incorrect statements, for example, the author attributes a quote to John Lennon she said he made in 1981 (he was killed in 1980) and she stated The Beatles recorded for Polyphone in England (it was Parlaphone). That is why I only gave the book 3 stars.

[Rolf · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m not the biggest Beatles obsessive, but it was still interesting and instructive to learn about the childhoods of Lennon and McCartney. McCartney’s childhood seemed much more grounded, and Lennon’s much more fraught, which makes sense given their later lives.

[Bob Scheidegger]

I've read several books about the Beatles, but this one was unique. It concerns the childhoods of John and Paul, and has a host of detail regarding their musical development and their early group participation. Heavily researched, but written for teens. Great stuff.