Grade 6 Up. Beginning and ending with paragraphs that expand on the book's subtitle, Martin provides the focus and a thesis upon which to hang this oft-retold tale. The author is most successful at telling the early part of the Beatles' story. He fills in the details with interesting tidbits and historical context, such as Paul McCartney's struggle with left-handedness and the "Teddy" youth movement that created the social scene that made the Beatles possible. The later years?from Sgt. Pepper's on?are given short shrift. This lack of balance is disappointing. On the other hand, the book brings the Beatles phenomenon up to the present, mentioning the successful Anthology project. Two inserts of glossy black-and-white photos feature well-known shots of the Beatles, as well as a number of performers who were important influences. Detailed source notes, an extensive list for further reading, and a discography, are appended.?Tim Wadham, Dallas Public Library, TX
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Gr. 7^-9. If a YA book about the Beatles wants to grab its target audience, it probably shouldn't start off discussing how the Beatles' songs wiped out the music of Tin Pan Alley. The inability to generate much excitement (in a book about the Beatles!) is the book's biggest problem overall. Martin dutifully follows the boys in the band, notes the highlights of their career, and gets into some detail about the music they made. Still, this is pretty bloodless, and the format contributes to the effect by being page after page of the printed word, with the generally well-chosen black-and-white photographs appearing in two insets. Older readers will want to read the many adult books written about the Fab Four. This could serve as an introduction to the group for younger kids. They'll come away with an educated, if not visceral, idea of what all the shouting was about. Source notes; bibliography; discography. Ilene Cooper
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