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Who Was . . . ? Series
Who Was Frank Sinatra?
Learn about the showstopping life of one of the most famous entertainers of all time in this book about Frank Sinatra from the #1 New York Times Bestselling Series!
Before Frank Sinatra became the international superstar that we remember him as today, he was just a young boy singing for spare change in his family's New Jersey tavern. Those small beginnings would be the start of an incredible career in which Frank became one of the best-selling musicians of all time -- selling over 150 million records worldwide. More than just a musician, Frank also went on to win an Academy Award and a Golden Globe during his career as an actor. With hundreds of songs from several genres such as big-band, swing, jazz, and pop, the "My Way" singer is considered one of the world's most beloved entertainers.
Before Frank Sinatra became the international superstar that we remember him as today, he was just a young boy singing for spare change in his family's New Jersey tavern. Those small beginnings would be the start of an incredible career in which Frank became one of the best-selling musicians of all time -- selling over 150 million records worldwide. More than just a musician, Frank also went on to win an Academy Award and a Golden Globe during his career as an actor. With hundreds of songs from several genres such as big-band, swing, jazz, and pop, the "My Way" singer is considered one of the world's most beloved entertainers.
- GenresNonfictionChildrens
112 pages, Paperback
Published July 11, 2023
8 people are currently reading
97 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 2, 2023
Who Was Frank Sinatra? The Voice, The Chairman of the Board, and Ol’ Blue Eyes!
My first introduction to Frank Sinatra was through an old Wonder Pets episode when I was a kid featuring rats spoofing the Rat Pack. I didn’t know who the real Rat Pack was at the time…I just remember that my mom explained who the cartoon rats were parodying and that was enough to make it cool. I also remember seeing a poster of the iconic photo of the Rat Pack taken in front of the Sands Hotel hanging in my seventh grade civics teacher’s classroom, but I really didn’t know much about Sinatra until I was older.
My interest in the big band and pop music of the ‘40s and ‘50s took off in my late teens, and now it’s probably about 75-80% of what I listen to on a regular basis. Frank Sinatra is probably one of the artists I listen to and enjoy the most. When I want to listen to something soothing and peaceful while I’m on my lunch break or just something to make me smile, I listen to Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby.
I happened across an Alex Trebek “Who Was…?” book a couple months ago, and after a bit of glancing through our library’s list of other titles in the series, I came across “Who Was Frank Sinatra?”. The library hadn’t gotten it in yet, so I immediately put it on hold. I just now got an opportunity to read it, and wow…I was impressed! Ms. Labrecque does a wonderful job showcasing the career of one of America’s most iconic and beloved singers.
The author doesn’t shy away from the less savory pieces of Frank’s life, but she does present them in a tasteful way since this is a younger audience. (She nods to Frank being a ladies’ man - even while he was married - and his multiple marriages. At one point she implies how Frank and his friend JFK enjoyed similar lifestyles, and while how she writes the statement will fly over most kids’ heads, adults that know a little more about the two’s personal lives will most likely read between the lines here.)
Honestly, I think the only thing that could’ve made this book better is if there was a list of some of Sinatra’s most iconic songs at the end with the historical timeline comparison. While I was reading, I listened to the songs mentioned and I feel that really added to the experience, even as someone who’s somewhat familiar with his work. A recommended listening list might get some young readers hooked on his music and maybe start a love for a music genre they may not have experienced.
If you want a brief biography of Frank Sinatra that gives you an interesting and informative picture of who he was as an artist and as a person, you’ve come to the right place.
My first introduction to Frank Sinatra was through an old Wonder Pets episode when I was a kid featuring rats spoofing the Rat Pack. I didn’t know who the real Rat Pack was at the time…I just remember that my mom explained who the cartoon rats were parodying and that was enough to make it cool. I also remember seeing a poster of the iconic photo of the Rat Pack taken in front of the Sands Hotel hanging in my seventh grade civics teacher’s classroom, but I really didn’t know much about Sinatra until I was older.
My interest in the big band and pop music of the ‘40s and ‘50s took off in my late teens, and now it’s probably about 75-80% of what I listen to on a regular basis. Frank Sinatra is probably one of the artists I listen to and enjoy the most. When I want to listen to something soothing and peaceful while I’m on my lunch break or just something to make me smile, I listen to Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby.
I happened across an Alex Trebek “Who Was…?” book a couple months ago, and after a bit of glancing through our library’s list of other titles in the series, I came across “Who Was Frank Sinatra?”. The library hadn’t gotten it in yet, so I immediately put it on hold. I just now got an opportunity to read it, and wow…I was impressed! Ms. Labrecque does a wonderful job showcasing the career of one of America’s most iconic and beloved singers.
The author doesn’t shy away from the less savory pieces of Frank’s life, but she does present them in a tasteful way since this is a younger audience. (She nods to Frank being a ladies’ man - even while he was married - and his multiple marriages. At one point she implies how Frank and his friend JFK enjoyed similar lifestyles, and while how she writes the statement will fly over most kids’ heads, adults that know a little more about the two’s personal lives will most likely read between the lines here.)
Honestly, I think the only thing that could’ve made this book better is if there was a list of some of Sinatra’s most iconic songs at the end with the historical timeline comparison. While I was reading, I listened to the songs mentioned and I feel that really added to the experience, even as someone who’s somewhat familiar with his work. A recommended listening list might get some young readers hooked on his music and maybe start a love for a music genre they may not have experienced.
If you want a brief biography of Frank Sinatra that gives you an interesting and informative picture of who he was as an artist and as a person, you’ve come to the right place.
September 29, 2023
First sentence: On December 30, 1942, two days before the new year, a slender singer walked onto the stage of the Paramount Theatre in New York City. Over three thousand fans--mostly teenage girls--shrieked and screamed in excitement. Some cried tears of happiness.
Premise/plot: Who Was Frank Sinatra? is part of a larger--much larger--series of kid-friendly biographies. This is an illustrated chapter book biography--elementary-aged-appropriate--of Frank Sinatra, singer and actor. The book provides a biography of his life, obviously, but also places that life into a larger context. This one includes many mini-biographies of his contemporaries and associates.
My thoughts: Do kids need to know who Frank Sinatra was? Maybe. Maybe not. My introduction came via the musical High Society. So it was a delight that the illustrator includes an illustration of a movie scene from High Society. It covers his life and career in a very broad kid-friendly way. You don't necessarily associate details of his life with young kids, young readers. I do love his music and some of his movies.
Premise/plot: Who Was Frank Sinatra? is part of a larger--much larger--series of kid-friendly biographies. This is an illustrated chapter book biography--elementary-aged-appropriate--of Frank Sinatra, singer and actor. The book provides a biography of his life, obviously, but also places that life into a larger context. This one includes many mini-biographies of his contemporaries and associates.
My thoughts: Do kids need to know who Frank Sinatra was? Maybe. Maybe not. My introduction came via the musical High Society. So it was a delight that the illustrator includes an illustration of a movie scene from High Society. It covers his life and career in a very broad kid-friendly way. You don't necessarily associate details of his life with young kids, young readers. I do love his music and some of his movies.
August 18, 2023
This was an interesting read. I learned a lot about Frank's life. He helped with race relations by having Sammy Davis Junior stay in the same hotels and eat at the same restaurants that he did during a time when black and white people were segregated. He helped promote John F. Kennedy during his campaign for president of the United States because Frank felt that JFK had good ideas about civil rights for people.
November 27, 2024
Biography/nonfiction
2nd-3rd grade
This book is a helpful and interesting biography on the singer Frank Sinatra. There are supportive information, details, and illustrations that guide us to understand the story and events of his life. I liked how in between the pages, the author provides insight about other events that connect to the story. There were some pages about World War II, The Paramount Theatre, and Hollywood. This nonfiction biography would be fun for primary grade students!
2nd-3rd grade
This book is a helpful and interesting biography on the singer Frank Sinatra. There are supportive information, details, and illustrations that guide us to understand the story and events of his life. I liked how in between the pages, the author provides insight about other events that connect to the story. There were some pages about World War II, The Paramount Theatre, and Hollywood. This nonfiction biography would be fun for primary grade students!
September 27, 2023
"Frank was a crooner."
This quick read not only walks the reader through the life and times of Frank Sinatra but it also highlights the evolution of popular music during his career and the different popular styles.
On the surface this is the biography of a single man, but within it is global history, lessons on Civil Rights in America, and so much more.
This quick read not only walks the reader through the life and times of Frank Sinatra but it also highlights the evolution of popular music during his career and the different popular styles.
On the surface this is the biography of a single man, but within it is global history, lessons on Civil Rights in America, and so much more.
November 8, 2023
HOBOKEN KING
5
5
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 14, 2024
Good mini biography of the world’s most popular singer. 5.0 Folios
August 13, 2024
A short biography of a 20th century crooner.
September 30, 2024
I learned so many things about Frank Sinatra that I didn't know before. A very interesting short story.
March 4, 2025
Read it for a class project, extremely helpful!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews