Angelina Jolie could have settled for becoming an Academy Award-winning actress. She could have been pleased enough portraying the villain-turned-heroine of Disney's smash film Maleficent. She could be quite happy being the mother of a large family she shares with her husband, actor Brad Pitt. But after a trip to Cambodia, Jolie was struck by the poverty she witnessed there, and decided to do something about it. For over a decade since, she has carried out dozens of field missions all around the globe. Jolie was named a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Goodwill Ambassador. She's funded schools, orphanages, and other centers dedicated to helping people in crisis. Discover how she encourages others to take action through web sites, newspaper ads, and charities, and see why this actor is even more magnificent than you might have imagined.
Ella-Yelich O'Connor wasn't your typical tween. At the age of 12, her performance in a school concert landed her a recording contract with Universal record label. Five years later, that same girl, now known as Lorde, celebrated her 17th birthday by signing another contract - this time it was worth $2.5 million! And only a few months later, she was topping the charts with her megahit "Royals" Life for this New Zealand native has been far from normal as she maintains a superstar status and travels the world selling out concerts to faithful fans.
When sixteen-year-old Harry Styles appeared on The X Factor stage in 2010, he wowed the judges with his performance. But when the judges didn't think Harry could make it to the top of the competition alone, he joined Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne and Louis Tomlinson to create One Direction. They may have only taken third place on The X Factor, but they've topped the charts of the international music industry ever since. With two platinum-selling albums in 2012 and a world tour under his belt, Harry Styles is definitely moving in the right direction!
The first time Jennifer Lawrence read a script, she knew that she had found her life's profession. Here was something she was good at and enjoyed! A trip to New York turned into modeling jobs and then acting offers. Find out how winning one of the biggest awards in theatre came to be called the "worst moment of Jennifer's life," what famous role she wanted but did not get, how she convinced producers she could be unattractive, and what she wants to do with her future.
The pop music group Big Time Rush has recorded albums and given concerts around the world. Logan Henderson, James Maslow, Carlos Pena, Jr., and Kendall Schmidt also star in a top-rated TV show on Nickelodeon and have performed in concert at the White House! The members of Big Time Rush are more than funny actors and melodic singers. They treat people with respect and work with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to meet fans. How did these four young men become one of the most popular music bands in the world? What are they like behind the scenes?
What do you do when Justin Bieber wants to sign you to his record label? You say 'yes,' of course. And that's exactly what Carly Rae Jepsen did in early 2012 after "The Biebs" discovered her on Canadian radio. Her life has been a whirlwind of amazing experiences ever since. She travels across continents, performing in front of massive audiences. She poses for magazine covers. She shakes hands with millions of her fans. But at the end of the day, Jepsen just loves writing music. With all her talent-and the support of her new superstar friend-she has a long musical career ahead of her.
Realistic fiction is a defined as a story that is not true, but could happen in real life. This exciting title encourages budding young writers to draw inspiration from the world around them to develop characters and plot. Engaging writing activities provide guidelines for readers to create their own realistic fiction stories.
A drama is a story that is experienced by an audience as a performance. In this engaging title, readers will explore acts, dialogue, stage direction, and other elements that define this genre. Mentor texts and writing prompts guide readers as they compose their own show-stopping dramas.
Most people came to know Zac Efron as Troy Bolton, the star athlete with hidden musical talents in the High School Musical movies. Today, Efron's talents as an award-winning actor and singer are far from hidden from movie-goers and from his millions of adoring fans.
When Vanessa Hudgens stepped onto the stage to try out for a role in High School Musical, she was one of over six hundred hopefuls. At that time, she was not well known. But the producers were blown away by her audition, and she was chosen for a leading part. It was this role that put the young singer/actress on the path to superstardom. Hudgens has now starred in a number of movies, released several albums, and won awards for her work as both an actress and a singer.
Carly Rae Jepsen grew up in Mission, British Columbia. After graduating from high school, Carly was a hopeful on the television competition Canadian Idol. She finished third, but her story didn't end there. This entertaining book describes how Carly persevered and released her first album independently, then became an international sensation through MySpace, Twitter, and YouTube - with a little help from Justin Bieber.
Not many years ago, country music sensation Taylor Swift was singing karaoke and learning to play her first guitar. Today, the superstar singer and songwriter performs sold-out concerts around the world. Her albums sell millions of copies, she's won numerous music awards, and she's been on the cover of just about every popular magazine.
Growing up in a family of musicians, Bruno Mars started his music career performing at a young age in his hometown of Honolulu, Hawaii. After high school he moved to California and began producing music for other artists before embarking on his own solo career. This amazing book describes Bruno Mars' early life and how his debut album sent him to the top of the charts worldwide. With a wide range of musical influences, it's no surprise that this multi-talented singer won Best Male Pop Vocal Performance at the Grammys only a year later.
The Jonas Brothers - Kevin, Joe, and Nick - have brought boy bands back in style. The pop-rock group has sold more than eight million albums worldwide and toured the globe, playing sold-out shows and capturing the hearts of adoring fans. With their positive, uplifting songs and strong sense of family and their faith, they have also redefined what it means to be cool.
Contemporary R&B artist Beyoncé Knowles has always loved to sing and dance. Entering competitions as a young child, she burst into stardom as a member of Destiny's Child. This fascinating book takes a close-up look at Beyoncé's life and career including her mega success as a solo artist. Also an actress and a philanthropist, the story of this multi-talented performer has only just begun.
This exciting biography traces Taylor Lautner's astonishing rise to fame. Readers will learn about his childhood in Michigan, his passion for martial arts, and how his determination and drive have led him to superstar status! Full-color photographs, personal stories, and quotes from the actor himself, give fans the inside scoop on one of Hollywood's rising stars.
Born in California, Shailene Woodley almost became an interior designer before landing a starring role in the TV series The Secret Life of the American Teenager. This book follows the intriguing story of her rise to fame, from her breakout movie role in The Descendants to her star-making role in The Fault in Our Stars to her superstar status today as Tris in the Divergent movies.
Robert Pattinson became famous around the world for playing a dreamy vampire in the Twilight movies. The romantic fantasy films have rocketed the British actor to fame. Pattinson is more than just a bloodthirsty heartthrob with great hair, however. He has starred in several plays and films, is a talented musician, and has won awards for his acting - and even his kissing!
Talented actress and singer Selena Gomez has definite star quality. From her early start on Barney and Friends to her starring role on the hit TV show Wizards Of Waverly Place, Selena Gomez has millions of fans around the world. This entertaining biography highlights the life and accomplishments of the young star, including her childhood, her rise to fame, her work as a Unicef Ambassador, and her plans for the future.
Robyn Rihanna Fenty came to the United States from Barbados at the age of 16. A year later she burst onto the music charts with her first album Music of the Sun. Rihanna hasn't looked back. With seven successful studio albums, all before the age of 25, she is one of the best-selling musical artists of all time. This fascinating book about Rihanna reveals the facts about the woman Time magazine listed as one of the most influential people of 2012. But success has not come without a price. She has had struggles in her personal life to overcome, much of it in the unforgiving glare of the spotlight.
Superstar singer, songwriter, and artist M.I.A. (Maya to her friends) has come a long way from humble beginnings. Born in Britain, she lived most of her young life in the birthplace of her parents, Sri Lanka, while it was torn by civil war. After returning to Britain, she rose to fame as a multi-talented composer, performer, graphic designer, and music producer with millions of fans worldwide.
Kristen Stewart is a talented actress who has appeared in feature films for more than half her young life and has already won several acting awards. But she truly stepped into the international spotlight when she starred as Bella Swan in the 2008 mega-hit movie Twilight. Both Twilight and its sequel New Moon instantly became phenomenal hits around the world, and their stars - including Stewart - became overnight celebrities.
Justin Bieber went from runner up in a talent contest in his small hometown of Stratford, Ontario, to a worldwide teen superstar, thanks to the Internet site, YouTube. Growing up, his mother bought him different musical instruments but could not afford lessons too. So Justin taught himself how to play. When singers Usher and Justin Timberlake took an interest in him, "Bieber fever" took off! Now he has platinum albums and sells out stadiums, performing for tens of thousands of screaming fans at a time.
Gaga, ooh la la! Who else would have herself carried into the Grammy Awards inside an egg? Come on - only Lady Gaga! Born Stefani Germanotta in New York City, the girl with the powerful voice quickly became a powerhouse in the pop music industry. Growing up, Stefani was inspired by David Bowie, Elton John, Queen, and Madonna, artists known for their outrageous fashions and theatrical performances. Lady Gaga has said she wants to "revolutionize" pop music. But this unique performer is also a concerned activist who uses her fame to promote humanitarian causes and the rights of gays and lesbians.
Growing up in Australia, Liam Hemsworth's youth was focused more on surfing than acting. This entertaining biography describes Liam's rise to fame alongside his two older brothers who are also actors. In fact, Liam lost the leading role in the movie Thor to his big brother, Chris, in 2010. But Liam bounced back landing his first big role, alongside Miley Cyrus, in the movie The Last Song. Now with a leading role in wildly successful The Hunger Games series, his fame just keeps continuing to grow.
