Rising Stars (Gareth Stevens)

Readers will relate to the humble beginnings of this popular teen heartthrob. Taylor Lautner had to fight hard to keep his role as Jacob Black in the Twilight series-and that was the role that made him a star. Photographs of a young Taylor, a timeline of his rise to fame, and easy-to-follow sections about his movies are sure to interest all movie fans.

Abigail Breslin is one of the most celebrated and critically acclaimed young actors in Hollywood. Readers explore her rise to fame and the highlights of her busy acting career-including her role in Little Miss Sunshine, New Year's Eve, and beyond. Fun facts about this talented young star are presented in accessible text alongside colorful photographs and a helpful timeline of her life and career. This high-interest book is one that readers of all ages will find entertaining and engaging. Book review: Abigail Breslin "If you've got a student reading below middle-grade level who enjoys superstar profiles, the Rising Stars series presents a solid … glance at performers who might hold reader interest … The tall trim emulates a magazine, and the format is simple: two or three short sentences on the left, typically about career beginnings, highlights, and awards, and a full-page photo on the right, mostly captured at red-carpet or onstage venues. … Readers of Abigail Breslin can thrill to images of the girl sporting various hairstyles and hair colors and learn how her big break came with the 2002 film Signs. … books like these serve a purpose in any library, and the multicultural subjects showcased here will add to the series' appeal."- Daniel Kraus, Booklist

He's most famous for playing a brooding vampire, but there's so much more to this talented young actor. From Cedric Diggory of Harry Potter fame to Edward Cullen of the Twilight series, this book explores the career of Robert Pattinson, an actor and musician on the rise. Full of colorful photographs and fun, accessible facts, this high-interest book will draw in readers of all ages.

Victoria Justice is a singer, dancer, and actress familiar to fans of the popular television shows Victorious and iCarly. Victoria moved to Hollywood at the age of 10 to make her dream of acting come true. Her early work inspired her love of music and landed her a starring role in Victorious. Readers will love the glamorous photographs of Justice performing and walking the red carpet and learn what it took for her to succeed. A biographical timeline highlights her achievements.

Chris Hemsworth is fast becoming a major superstar. As Thor, he's an otherworldly superhero. He's also played a hero in Star Trek and Snow White and the Huntsmen. Hemsworth wasn't an instant star though. He spent years learning to act and took some chances to make it big. Readers will find out how Chris Hemsworth finally struck box-office gold in this accessible biography accompanied by vibrant red-carpet photographs.

Emma Stone took a big chance. She went to Hollywood at age 15 to try to break into show business. After many unsuccessful auditions, Stone finally got her big break. Since then, her rise to the top has been swift. The Amazing Spider-Man is just one of her blockbuster films. This high-interest, easy-to-follow biography will appeal to movie enthusiasts of all reading levels. Vivid photographs of Stone and her famous friends on the red carpet highlight her appealing star power.

One Direction truly took the world by storm. Five young men, appearing first as solo acts on the British show The X Factor, were, given the chance to make it big as a boy band. Ever since their auditions in 2010, screaming throngs of fans have been following every move and hanging on every word. This accessible book, takes a look at each member of the band (Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, Harry Styles, and Zayn Malik) and their remarkable rise to the top of the charts.

The career of KeKe Palmer is already filled with many highlights, and readers trace the path she followed as she rose to become the talented actress and musician she is today. Accessible texts allows readers to explore the life and career of this bright, young star in the worlds of film, television, and music. Fun facts about her career are presented in accessible language, and a helpful timeline summarizes important events in her life and career. Vivid photographs bring readers of all ages into her exciting world.

Readers discover fun facts about the life and career of the young star of one of television's most popular shows, Modern Family. Rico Rodriguez found fame playing the lovable Manny Delgado, and readers explore the road he took to get the role and the promising future he has ahead of him in Hollywood. With the help of accessible text and a detailed timeline of his life and career, readers of all ages experience the career highlights of one of the most charming young actors on television. Filled with colorful photographs, readers are sure to enjoy and remain engaged throughout.

As the son of two famous actors, Jaden Smith has grown up in the spotlight. Now, he's taking it for his own! Readers will learn more about Jaden's movies and music in this colorful, engaging book, which is written in an accessible style with a helpful timeline. Photographs from the life of the latest karate kid will win over any reader.

Jennifer Lawrence took a chance one summer. She asked her mother to travel with her to New York City. There, Lawrence auditioned for talent agencies. Her big break came when a talent scout saw her on the street. Since that day in 2004, Lawrence's career has been on the rise. Her starring role in The Hunger Games has put her on the cover of magazines and at the top of casting agents' lists. Readers will discover more about Lawrence's varied career in this accessible text, its colorful photographs, and a biographical timeline.

Jordin Sparks won American Idol at the age of 17. Though young, she already had more than a decade of experience under her belt. In fact, she was singing in song contests when she was just 4 years old. Sparks has released several albums, scoring top-10 hits with each. She's been an actress on Broadway and starred in the movie Sparkle. This vivacious young woman is just beginning her career. Readers can follow Sparks's path from a baby singing her ABCs to one of today's most talented voices belting out heartfelt melodies.

Like her older sister Dakota, Elle Fanning is working hard to make her mark on the big screen. This high-interest book charts her rise to fame as an actress, highlighting her most popular roles-from Alice Dainard in Super 8 through Lily Miska in We Bought a Zoo. Fascinating facts about her life and career are presented in accessible text. A helpful timeline shows key moments in her life and film career. Bright photographs capture this young star at work, making this an enjoyable reading experience for movie buffs of all ages.

Selena Gomez didn't use magic powers to become a star, even though she has them on TV. Learn more about how Selena got her start in this easy-to-read, high-interest book. Enhanced by photographs of this rising star acting and singing with her band, fun facts about Selena will interest even the most reluctant readers. The book also includes a timeline highlighting Selena's greatest accomplishments thus far.

Kendall Jenner is much more than just the younger sibling of some of the most famous women on reality television, and readers discover why through engaging, high-interest text. They explore how her career expanded following the success of her family's hit television show, Keeping Up with the Kardashians. The reading experience is enhanced with a helpful timeline of the most important events in her life and career. Accessible text allows readers of all ages to follow along as she pursues her dreams of becoming a model, and captivating photographs show why she is set to become one of the most beautiful new faces in the fashion world.

Readers discover the incredible story behind Darren Criss's meteoric rise to fame with this high-interest topic. The multitalented musician and actor is most famous for his role as Blaine Anderson on the hit television show Glee, but this book reveals that there is much more to Darren Criss's story than just his television career. Readers explore his roles on stage and screen in addition to his work as a singer and songwriter. Accessible text, bright photographs, and a detailed timeline of his life and career keep readers of all ages entertained as they learn fun facts about this up-and-coming star. Book review: Darren Criss"If you've got a student reading below middle-grade level who enjoys superstar profiles, the Rising Stars series presents a solid, if surface, glance at performers who might hold reader interest long enough to channel that interest into deeper works. The tall trim emulates a magazine, and the format is simple: two or three short sentences on the left, typically about career beginnings, highlights, and awards, and a full-page photo on the right, mostly captured at red-carpet or onstage venues. When other stars appear in the shots, they are usually-though, frustratingly, not always-identified with a bubble caption. Born in 1987, Darren Criss is the old man of this group, parlaying YouTube stardom into a fan-favorite role on Glee. Pics showcase various smiles, suits, and degrees of sweatiness. Light on substance? Sure. But books like these serve a purpose in any library, and the multicultural subjects showcased here will add to the series' appeal."-Daniel Kraus, Booklist

Did you know Demi Lovato got her start on a children's show starring a big purple dinosaur? From touring with the Jonas Brothers to starring in her own show on the Disney Channel, Demi has come a long way since then. With full-color photographs, a detailed timeline of key events in Demi's life, and easy-to-read chapters detailing Demi's acting and music, this book will make a fan of any reader.