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

By Ilene Cooper

Categories: Arts & Photography, Biographies & Memoirs

This Boy: The Early Lives of John Lennon and Paul McCartney is a biography for young readers by Ilene Cooper. Cooper follows the two future Beatles through their childhoods in postwar Liverpool, from Lennon's upbringing by his aunt Mimi to McCartney's close family life, and through the early deaths of both their mothers. She shows how loss, school, friendship and a shared love of rock and roll brought them together and shaped the songwriting partnership that followed.

Recommended by 1 person

• John Green: “If you're interested in music and especially like the history of rock and roll, I really recommend This Boy by my mentor Eileen Cooper. Oh my God, John Lennon had a childhood.”