Jack's Path of Courage

John F. Kennedy was a popular, charismatic president, beloved by many. But he didn't always believe he had the strength or courage for that office. As a child he was sickly, and overshadowed by his strong, capable, athletic older brother Joe. After Joe Jr.'s death, John had to work hard to live up to his own expectations and to those of his father. He overcame pain and self-doubt to see the country through one of the most difficult crises in its history.

Doreen Rappaport once again combines real-life quotes with her own lyrical prose to create a moving portrait of a beloved figure. Matt Tavares's stunning artwork vividly depicts this unique time in history.

“"An evenhanded, graphically stirring biography."-- Publishers Weekly”

"A brief but inspiring portrait..." --Kirkus Reviews
"Readers see JFK's competitive drive both in sports and in his defiance of Khrushchev; his intellectual side as a reader and author; his courage during World War II; and his dedication to service, as a "fill-in" for his dead brother Joe's political plans and as founder of the Peace Corps. Still, Rappaport refuses to turn this life into a hagiography, citing the disaster of the Cuban Missile Crisis and pointing out Kennedy's slow progress toward civil rights for African Americans." --The Horn Book
"This beautifully illustrated and gracefully told story serves as a superior introduction to our 35th president."--School Library Journal

Doreen Rappaport's nonfiction and historical fiction books have been acclaimed for their meticulous research and varied literary styles. She is the recipient of the Washington Post-Children's Book Guild lifetime achievement award for the writing of nonfiction. Among her many award-winning biographies are Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., illustrated by Bryan Collier, a Caldecott Honor Book, Coretta Scott King Honor Book, Orbis Pictus Honor Book, and a Jane Addams Children's Book Award winner; Abe's Honest Words: The Life of Abraham Lincoln, illustrated by Kadir Nelson, a CCBC Best Book of the Year and an IRA Teacher's Choice; and Helen's Big World: The Life of Helen Keller, illustrated by Matt Tavares, an ALA Notable Book for Middle Readers, CCBC Best Book of the Year, and an Oppenheim SNAP (Special Needs Adaptable Products) Award winner. She lives and writes in upstate New York. Visit her at

Matt Tavares is the illustrator of several books, including 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, Jack and the Beanstalk, written by E. Nesbit, The Gingerbread Pirates, written by Kristin Kladstrup, and Helen's Big World: The Life of Helen Keller, written by Doreen Rappaport, which was a 2013 ALA Notable Children's Book. His books have won several awards, including four Parents' Choice Gold Awards, a Parents' Choice Silver Honor, six Oppenheim Gold Seal Awards, and an Orbis Pictus Honor. His illustrations have been exhibited at the Museum of American Illustration at the Society of Illustrators, and at the Brandywine River Museum. Matt lives in Maine with his wife and two daughters.

John F. Kennedy was a popular, charismatic president, beloved by many. But he didn't always believe he had the strength or courage for that office. As a child he was sickly, and overshadowed by his strong, capable, athletic older brother Joe. After Joe Jr.'s death, John had to work hard to live up to his own expectations and to those of his father. He overcame pain and self-doubt to see the country through one of the most difficult crises in its history.Doreen Rappaport once again combines real-life quotes with her own lyrical prose to create a moving portrait of a beloved figure. Matt Tavares's stunning artwork vividly depicts this unique time in history.

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