Lorde
Songstress with Style
by Heather E. Schwartz
read by Various Readers
Part of the Pop Culture Bios series
You probably know Lorde as a Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter. But did you know that she: • sang in a band named Extreme at the age of twelve? • turned down a chance to perform as an opening act on Katy Perry's world tour? • won second place in a worldwide literature competition? Want to know more about the life of this stylish New Zealand-born artist? Read on to learn all about Lorde's school years, road to stardom, dreams for the future, and more!
Shailene Woodley
Divergent's Daring Star
by Heather E. Schwartz
read by Various Readers
Part of the Pop Culture Bios series
You probably know Shailene Woodley as the fearless, black-clad heroine Tris from Divergent. But did you know that she: • was diagnosed with scoliosis, a curvature of the spine, as a freshman in high school? • cofounded the nonprofit All It Takes, an organization dedicated to giving young people tools to make a difference and change the world? • would someday like to run an organic farm and produce affordable food for low-income families? Want to know more about the life of this eco-friendly actress? Read on to learn all about Shailene's childhood, path to stardom, passion for environmentalism, and more!
Jennifer Lawrence
The Hunger Games' Girl on Fire
by Nadia Higgins
read by Various Readers
Part of the Pop Culture Bios series
You may know that Jennifer Lawrence stars as courageous Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games films. But did you know that Jennifer: • grew up on a Kentucky horse farm? •had to learn to skin a squirrel for her role in Winter's Bone? (Eeeew!) • read all three Hunger Games books in four days-before she even knew she'd be playing Katniss? Want to know more about the life of this talented celebrity? Read on to learn all about Jen's childhood, family, rise to stardom, likes and dislikes, romantic life, and more!
Katy Perry
From Gospel Singer to Pop Star
by Nadia Higgins
read by Various Readers
Part of the Pop Culture Bios series
You may know that Katy Perry is a shining star of pop who has soared to number one on the charts again and again. But did you know that Katy: • is a pastor's kid times two? Both her mom and dad are pastors who encouraged her to sing in church. • was dropped by two recording labels before she finally got her big break with Capitol Records? • exercises by jumping rope before every single show? Want to know more about the life of this talented celebrity? Read on to learn all about Katy's childhood, career, favorite things, love life, future goals, and more!
One Direction
Breakout Boy Band
by Marcia Amidon Lusted
read by Various Readers
Part of the Pop Culture Bios series
You may know that the U.K. pop group One Direction broke records when it hit the U.S. music scene. The singers' album Up All Night debuted at number one on the U.S. Billboard charts. But did you know that: • the stars didn't know each other before getting their big break on The X Factor with Simon Cowell? • the band needed 100 security guards for its first performance in Dallas, Texas? • one of the band members has a fear of spoons? Want to know more about the group's singers-Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, Harry Styles, and Louis Tomlinson? Read on to learn all about 1D's amazing rise to fame!
Idina Menzel
Vocal Superpower
by Heather E. Schwartz
read by Various Readers
Part of the Pop Culture Bios series
You probably know Idina Menzel as the amazing singer of "Let It Go" and the voice of Elsa in the movie Frozen. But did you know that she: • dreamed of playing the title character in the musical Annie? • sang at weddings and bar mitzvahs before making it big on Broadway? • started a summer camp for kids? Want to know more about the life of this singing superstar? Read on to learn all about Idina's road to stardom, Broadway breakthrough, television debut, and more!
by Heather E. Schwartz
read by Various Readers
Part of the Pop Culture Bios series
You probably know Adele as the powerful, Grammy Award-winning soul singer of hits like "Rolling in the Deep" and "Set Fire to the Rain." But did you know that she: • was almost expelled from the BRIT School for Performing Arts? • wrote her first single, "Hometown Glory," in just ten minutes? • has an alter ego named Sasha Carter? Want to know more about this talented singer-songwriter? Read on to learn all about Adele's family, her school days, rise to stardom, musical inspiration, and more!
Justin Timberlake
From Mouseketeer to Megastar
by Heather E. Schwartz
read by Various Readers
Part of the Pop Culture Bios series
You probably know Justin Timberlake as the successful boy-band singer turned solo artist whose voice dominates the airwaves. But did you know that he: • sang-and lost!-on the competitive TV show Star Search at the age of eleven? • opened a barbecue restaurant in New York City? • wrote a song for his wife, Jessica Biel, and sang it for her on their wedding day? Want to know more about this talented star? Read on to learn all about Justin's family, his All New Mickey Mouse Club years, car collection, movie roles, Saturday Night Live appearances, and more!
by Elaine Landau
read by Various Readers
Part of the Pop Culture Bios series
You may know that Beyoncé is a gifted R & B star who has made a splash in the worlds of music, dance, and acting. But did you know that Beyoncé: • was super shy as a child, yet she loved to ham it up in music and dance classes? • goes by Bee among family and friends? • once had her toe broken by a bodyguard when he stepped on it while trying to protect her? Want to know more about the life of this talented celebrity? Read on to learn all about Beyoncé's childhood, family, career, true personality, current projects, and more!
Taylor Swift
Country Pop Hit Maker
by Robin Nelson
read by Various Readers
Part of the Pop Culture Bios series
You may know that singing sensation Taylor Swift has won over fans of both pop and country music. But did you know that Taylor: • used to help out on her family's Christmas tree farm by pulling bugs off the trees? Yuck! • won a national poetry contest in fourth grade with her poem "Monster in My Closet"? • thought of the melody for her hit song "Tim McGraw" in her ninth-grade math class and sang it into her phone in the school bathroom so she wouldn't forget it? Want to know more about the life of this talented celebrity? Read on to learn all about Taylor's childhood, family, career, boyfriends, favorite things, and more!
Bruno Mars
Pop Singer and Producer
by Nadia Higgins
read by Various Readers
Part of the Pop Culture Bios series
You may know that Bruno Mars is an unbelievably talented pop singer and producer. But did you know that Bruno: • was known for his epic Elvis impersonations when he was a kid? • learned to play drums, piano, and guitar without ever taking lessons? • is super close to his mom and used some of his fortune to buy her a house? Want to know more about the life of this talented celebrity? Read on to learn all about Bruno's childhood, personality, parents and siblings, past projects, personal struggles, and more!