John's Secret Dreams: The John Lennon Story by Doreen Rappaport

John's Secret Dreams: The John Lennon Story Reviews

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  Jon Nakapalau

  Very nice introduction to John Lennon that uses his lyrics when telling his story - art is beautiful and really fits well with the tone of the book. It took me some time to really get into Lennon's music - I guess I was still really hung up on what I wished could have been if things just stayed the way they were. A wonderful look at this giant of pop-culture.
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  Calista

  This book is a wonderful introduction to John Lennon and the Beattles for kids who have never heard of them or wonder what they are about. Part of my niece and nephew is there musical education and they can name all 4 members of the band and songs too.
  
  I thought the art was amazing and it fit so well with the story being told. I thought the poetry used to tell the story mixed with lyrics from songs worked so well together.
  
  I think John truly wanted Peace and worked very hard to bring about his dream of a world lived in peace. John is such an interesting character and I didn't know about his childhood. As an adult, I usually learn something from these books too.
  
  The kids enjoyed this book and my niece is a budding artist and she got into the artwork.
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  Lisa Vegan

  When I was a young teen, I was a “Paul girl”, to quote from the wonderful
  Anna Quindlen, and I suppose I’m still a Paul fan: How could I not love a vegetarian and it’s a McCartney song that touches me most (The Long and Winding Road), but during my adulthood I’ve definitely been a John woman too. I’ve always liked his complexity and admired some of his outlook.
  
  I found this to be an interesting biography, told partly via his song lyrics.
  
  The illustrations are spectacular.
  
  The information in the back is incomplete (re Beatles records in particular but) adds a great deal to the story. The important dates section adds a lot more information.
  
  Somehow, though, this felt like a shell of a biography. I do think it’s a good introduction to John’s life, and the Beatles music and the Beatles. And, though this book wasn’t alone in this, I saw a window into what attracted John to Yoko. Most importantly, it’s a wonderful book for kids who feel unsupported in any way and who need to find within themselves motivation to follow their dreams. Even if kids read this seeing John as just anyone, not the celebrity, not the real man, they could get a great deal from this story.
  
  I really appreciated the author’s and illustrator’s notes at the beginning of the book. I found it fascinating what they said about what John’s life and music meant to them; they came to it from very different perspectives, both interesting.
• 
  (NS) Panagiota Angelos

  John Lennon's influence on music and culture is legendary. He was a rebel, a genius, an innovator, and a peace activist. From a young age he dreamed of fame and fortune. When he achieved it as one of the Beatles, he recognized the need for a deeper meaning in life. His inner search for happiness shaped his life and brought new dimension to the world of rock 'n' roll. As a follow-up to their award-winning title, Martin's Big Words, Doreen Rappaport and Bryan Collier present John Lennon's life through a combination of narrative and song lyrics, cut-paper collage and watercolor art-capturing the energy and the essence of a man whose vision and creative genius continue to inspire people today. (Goodreads Review)
• 
  Mackenzie Ness

  John's Secret Dreams is a biography about the famously known Beatles singer John Lennon. From a very young age John had always dreamed of fame and fortune, and this story shows how he reached that dream. “I like to write about me, because I know about me.” Through out the story Rappaport uses Lennon’s story and song lyrics to express his search for inner happiness and the need to learn the true deeper meaning of life. Lennon was known for being a peace activist and his genius lyrics.
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  Alicia

  John's Secret Dreams is creative portrayal of John Lennon's life through biographical narrative, lyrics inspired by events in his life, and beautiful portraits embodying the spirit of the time. Much of the subject matter is meant for an older audience, but the overall message is great, especially for teaching expressive and reflective writing. The overarching theme of peace and love is also seamlessly intertwined throughout Lennon's story.
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  Vanessa

  A moving tribute to John Lennon, beautifully put together. Not sure how much it speaks to kids per se -- it reads like a love poem/ode to John's work and life goals/process. I gave it to my daughter and when she saw how much my partner and I like it, she gifted it to us with sweet generosity -- "here moms, you should have this because you like it so much."
• 
  Jess Gill

  Creative writing style coupled with amazing illustrations make for an excellent children's biography of John Lennon. Quotes by Lennon, as well as lyric excerpts are included throughout. I had the opportunity to meet the author, Doreen Rappaport several years ago, and know she puts extensive research into all of her works. It's evident in this book, as with all her others.
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  Melissa Housholder

  This book is fantastic. The author and illustrator did a wonderful job telling the condensed version of John Lennon's story. I love that lyrics from his songs were included throughout the pages. I would not recommend this book for very young children as it briefly discusses drugs, divorce and murder.
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  Christa

  My post-generational love of John Lennon definitely stems from my mother. From The Beatles to 'Imagine', I have had a slow free fall into love of Lennon. I have read many biographies and watch numerous documentaries, but this is by far one of my favorite depictions of Lennon's life. It is a treasure that feels like new every time I pick it up.
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  Shelli

  Beatles fans will love sharing this beautifully illustrated mini-picture book biography of John Lennon with their children. The narrative and multi-media images are woven charmingly together with Beatles lyrics and there is an interesting forward written by both the author and the illustrator describing their approach to creating this work.
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  Annelise Rogers

  Another great nonfiction picture book by Doreen Rappaport. I love John Lennon and was impressed with the dreamlike style of words and art so attached to the Beatles. I had to buy it for my coffee table.
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  Deborah

  I love the text and the illustrations. A great way to introduce an incredible song writer for kids.
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  Victoria Griffith

  I thought this book was a little heavy for kids....
  
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  Sheena

  I can't wait to buy this book for my future children.
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  Sarah Threlkeld

  Lovely and interesting illustrations paired with biographical poetry. Got a bit teary eyed at the end. Good book for upper elementary kids.
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  Susan

  I just re-read this book and found it better than ever. It's a biography of John Lennon spun through his song lyrics. The illustrations are the most wonderful collages that are as fascinating as the lyrics and the story. This book is for intermediate students and up. It isn't for elementary students. So much can be done with this outstanding books and with its format. What wonderful discussions you can have with your kids! I'm going to use it in a presentation I am giving in another month, and the ideas and pinging around in my head right now. One of our senior AP-English teachers loved it when I used it in a presentation to our teachers several years ago, and she took it and ran with it. She got our district Secondary Teacher of the Year, and I just know it was because of her cleverness with books like this. LOL!
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  Sarah

  Rappaport and Collier did a wonderful job conveying John Lennon's story with their words and illustrations. That said, I had hoped for a little more "and the world will live as one" and a little less "help me if you can I'm feeling down." I appreciate that the author did not compromise the story by making Lennon's life out to be something it was not, like, for example, happy. But ultimately, for me, while "John's Secret Dreams" was beautiful and informative, it was also more than a little depressing.
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  Robert Davis

  Interesting, if convoluted portrait of John Lennon. As with all of Doreen Rappaport's picture books, the illustrations take center stage. She benefits greatly from being able to associate with superb artists who contribute to create astonishingly beautiful books.
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  Margar Ramone

  i love it! Its one of my favorite books about my favorite people