Book Review: ‘Jonas Brothers Forever’

“Jonas Brothers Forever: The Unofficial Story of Kevin, Joe & Nick,” 2009, ECW Press, $14.95, 159 pages: If you could do anything you wanted to do this summer, what would you choose?
How about camping, sleeping beneath the sky or in a tent? Or maybe you’d like a trip cross-country to visit a favorite aunt or big sister? Perhaps you plan on volunteering or earning some cash.
How about spending an afternoon hanging out with your favorite stars?
If you love the JoBros, then you’ll absolutely want to spend a few days reading “Jonas Brothers Forever: The Unofficial Story of Kevin, Joe & Nick.” In this book, you’ll get a ton of pictures, plus the inside scoop on the songs, the shows, and the Jonas Brothers themselves.
It all started on Nov. 5, 1987 when Kevin and Denise Jonas welcomed their firstborn son, Kevin Jr., into the world. The Jonases had been traveling from church to church, spreading the gospel through their music, and they naturally took the new baby along with them.
When son Joseph Adam was born on Aug. 15, 1989, Kevin Sr. and Denise decided it was time to settle down in Dallas, Texas. Good thing, too, because Nicholas Jerry was born there on Sept. 16, 1992. In 1996, the family moved to New Jersey.
Though the Jonas boys were obviously influenced by the music that surrounded them, nobody knew how their talents would be used. Nick “more or less set everything off” when he broke into song at a beauty salon he was visiting with his mother.
Nick, the boys’ agent said, “was the genuine standout at first.”
Soon, though, Joe was making people laugh and Kevin picked up his guitar, and the boys started making music at schools and opening for other bands.
You probably don’t need to be told where all this led to: The Jonas Brothers were snapped up by “The Mouse House” and guest-starred on sitcoms, awards shows and Disney specials. They will have their own TV show later this year. They work tirelessly on behalf of diabetes-awareness organizations and children’s charities. Their concerts are some of the most popular around and, as the photos in this book will prove, they’re enjoying life.
Parents, remember how much you loved David Cassidy, Kirk Cameron, Debbie Gibson, Donnie Osmond, Tiffany or Leif Erickson? If you do, then you’ll completely understand teen and pre-teen adoration of The Jonas Brothers. Likewise, you’ll understand that this book isn’t meant for you.
“Jonas Brothers Forever” is filled with pictures that young JoBros followers will want to plaster on their bedroom walls. It’s packed with detailed explanations of song meanings and “secrets” that fans will want to know. The interviews are wholesome, upbeat and positive, much like those teen magazines we used to read back in the day.
And that’s my point: you may like the Jonas Brothers and you may want to page through this book, too, but buy it for your 10-to-16-year-old instead. For any young JoBros fan in particular, “Jonas Brothers Forever” will make them sing.