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.
One of the greatest point guards in the game of basketball, Steve Nash beat the odds at six feet, three inches to excel in a sport dominated by six-foot, seven-inch players. Born in South Africa, Steve grew up in Canada and was drafted to play in the NBA in the United States. This interesting biography follows his career from the Phoenix Suns to the Dallas Mavericks, then back to Phoenix. Fans will also get a glimpse into Steve's years growing up and his selfless attitude both on and off the court, including his generous work with charities around the globe.
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.
Shephen Farrelly is better known to fans of the WWE as Sheamus, a Celtic warrior who became the first Irish WWE champion. Born and raised in Ireland, Stephen grew up playing a lot of sports. His father was an amateur bodybuilder and he followed in his path. His career in professional wrestling, however, almost had an early finish when a neck injury sidelined him for two years. But he came roaring back and the rest is history. This interesting biography follows his career in the WWE, as well as his several acting roles. Fans will also get a glimpse into Stephen's years growing up, his rise to fame, and his plans for the future.
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.
Since entering the world of professional basketball as first pick in the 2003 NBA draft, LeBron James has become one of the most acclaimed players in NBA history. His many titles include eight-time NBA All-Star, three-time NBA most valuable player, and Olympic gold medalist. In 2012, James led the Miami Heat to the NBA title, and was voted Finals MVP. This high-energy title provides a close-up look at LeBron King James' life on, and off, the court.
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.
Not only is John Cena a world championship-winning superstar of the WWE, he is also an actor who has starred in a number of movies and a rapper who has realeased his own album. A gifted athlete, John trained hard to play football throughout his college years. After that, his athletic fitness led him to bodybuilding and, ultimately, to professional wrestling. This interesting biography follows his career in the WWE and his move into acting. Fans will also get a glimpse into John's years growing up, his rise to fame, and his plans for the future.
Even though Drake started out as an actor, this charming and humble star really rose to stardom as a rapper. Music is in his genes - his father and two of this uncles are professional musicians. Born Aubrey Drake Graham in Toronto, Drake landed his first big television role at the age of 15, playing a student on Degrassi: The Next Generation for eight years. When he left the show, he took a big risk and made the leap to music. It all paid off when hip hop artist Lil Wayne signed him to his record label Young Money. He has since worked with a number of famous artists. Look for big things in music and the movies from this talented and stylish performer.
Just 19 years old, this ambitious young actor from Kentucky has already worked with such superstars as Robin Williams, Kristen Stewart, and Julianne Moore. With his co-starring role in the wildly popular movie The Hunger Games, this talented actor is proving that he has what it takes to build a long career. This entertaining biography highlights the life and accomplishments of the young star, including his childhood, his rise to fame, his contribution to social causes, and his plans for the future.
Demi Lovato's accomplishments include Disney star, best-selling recording artist, and judge on the hit TV show X Factor. Her rise to fame has not been without hardships, however. Demi has shared her personal struggles with depression, bulimia, and self-injury in an effort to raise awareness. Full-color photographs, personal stories, and quotes from Demi herself, give readers the inside scoop on this inspiring star.
Barely into her twenties, actress Jennifer Lawrence has quickly risen to superstar status after appearing in the mega-hit movie The Hunger Games. Acting in local theater at an early age, she worked hard to finish high school two years early so she could go to New York to fulfill her acting dreams. Very quickly, her work received nominations for a Golden Globe and an Academy Award. This entertaining biography highlights the life and accomplishments of the young star, including her childhood, her quick rise to fame, and her plans for the future.
Being born in the football-crazy state of Texas, Drew Brees couldn't help but become a football star. This superstar quarterback for the New Orleans Saints has legions of fans, not only because of his athletic career, but because he has star quality. In a gesture of support, he signed with the Saints after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans. He has helped the city rebuild and quietly undertakes a lot of charity work. This inspiring biography describes Drew's early years, his rise in football, and how he overcame a potentially career-ending shoulder injury through hard work, a positive attitude, and relying on his Christian faith.
Although he steadfastly refused to be labeled an abolitionist, Abraham Lincoln was a hero to the abolitionist cause. The emancipation of the slaves in 1863 was strategic to the president's fight against the Confederacy in the Civil War and changed the course of the nation's history.
Theodore Weld was an early agitator for abolition. This book describes how Weld successfully forced the issue of slavery into the forefront of people's consciousness through speeches and activism, particularly at the university level, where he confronted education authorities who didn't wish for slavery to be debated or even discussed.
Muhammad Ali was born as Cassius Clay in Louisville, Kentucky. Early in his life, his skills developed from those he needed to stand up to a playground bully into the championship form that earned him a gold medal in the 1960 Olympics. As a professional fighter, Ali became known not just for the speed and agility with which he won three world heavyweight championships, but also for his charm, wit, and showmanship. Outside the ring, the courage of his stand against the military draft made him both a revered cultural hero and a lightning rod for the issues that divided Americans during the Vietnam War. In the decades following his boxing career, Ali has become regarded as one of the most recognized people on the planet. He has lent his name, influence, and generosity to a host of humanitarian causes. Today, having earned the affection of billions of people worldwide, the peoples champ is, as ever, The Greatest.
