Entertainers

Marilyn Monroe is specifically written to meet the needs of adolescents and adults who are reluctant readers. The photographs, maps, and illustrations reflect the text, making the words easy to decode. This high-interest, low-vocabulary biography is ideal for English as a Second Language (ESL) or adult basic education students. Marilyn Monroe is remembered most for her beauty and the controversy around her death. Was it suicide or murder? Marilyn Monroe was born Norma Jeane. She never knew her father, and her mother suffered with mental issues all her life. Norma Jeane spent much of her childhood with foster parents and in an orphanage, taunted by schoolgirls and being an outsider. After a failed marriage, Norma Jeane changed her name to Marilyn Monroe and pursued an acting career. The movie Some Like It Hot propelled her into Hollywood stardom. But her personal life remained full of tragedy-failed marriages, substance abuse, and the legacy of a loveless childhood. Lexile level: 500L

Jimi Hendrix is specifically written to meet the needs of adolescents and adults who are reluctant readers. The photographs, maps, and illustrations reflect the text, making the words easy to decode. This high-interest, low-vocabulary biography is ideal for English as a Second Language (ESL) or adult basic education students. Jimi Hendrix, a rock and roll legend, overdosed on pills and alcohol at the age of 27. He grew up in a home with alcoholic parents and a father who beat him, finding refuge at times with his Canadian and American grandmothers. He discovered his passion for the guitar at the age of 15. Having little money, Jimi taught himself to play and developed a unique style that distinguished him from all other guitar players of his time. His musical genius took him to England, where he met rock and roll greats such as The Beatles and the Rolling Stones. Jimi worked and played hard, touring endlessly, and lives on as the greatest guitar player ever. Lexile level: 500L

Bruce Lee is specifically written to meet the needs of adolescents and adults who are reluctant readers. The photographs, maps, and illustrations reflect the text, making the words easy to decode. This high-interest, low-vocabulary biography is ideal for English as a Second Language (ESL) or adult basic education students. To some, Bruce Lee remains the greatest martial artist of all time. Born in San Francisco, he spent much of his childhood in Hong Kong, where he developed an interest for acting. Bullied at school, he learned martial arts to protect himself. After getting into trouble with the law, his parents sent Bruce back to San Francisco, where he discovered a love of philosophy. Bruce became a master at training others to balance their bodies and minds while developing their martial arts skills. Bruce then returned to acting, co-starring in The Green Hornet. His breakout film, The Fists of Fury, opened the door for Bruce to starring in Hollywood movies. Lexile level: 490L

Walt Disney is specifically written to meet the needs of adolescents and adults who are reluctant readers. The photographs, maps, and illustrations reflect the text, making the words easy to decode. This high-interest, low-vocabulary biography is ideal for English as a Second Language (ESL) or adult basic education students. Walt Disney (1901 - 1966) is a name known around the world. As a boy, Walt Disney delivered newspapers in the early morning in all kinds of weather for six years. Learning about the importance of hard work at an early age, Walt went on to become an entertainment icon. Running into bad times, Walt created Mickey Mouse. After that came full-length animated features like Snow White and the Seven Dwarves and Bambi. To Walt, money was no object. He dreamed big. Disneyland was followed by the even grander scheme of Walt Disney World, which was completed after Walt's death by his brother and partner, Roy. Lexile level: 490L