Books in A Robbie Reader Contemporary Biography 2020 series

Drake Bell and Josh Peck grew up on opposite sides of the country, but they came together when they both appeared Nickelodeon s The Amanda Show. In time, the boys became fast friends as well as costars of their own television show, Drake and Josh. Along the way, they faced illnesses, injuries, poverty, and other hard times, but their love of comedy and performing helped them achieve their dream. Follow Drake and Josh s journey in this exciting biography, and see how these talented young men overcame life s difficulties and discovered fame, fortune, and a wonderful friendship.

Dylan and Cole may have begun their careers as cute twin babies on a television commercial, but by the time they were twelve years old, they were the stars of the hit Disney Channel series The Suite Life of Zack and Cody. Since then, they ve launched their own magazine, and they ve become the main characters in a series of adventure books. Yet, even though Dylan and Cole are famous, they re just like regular kids. They love to hang out with their friends, skateboard, surf, and play video games. All in all, they just try to make their lives as sweet as possible.

In June 2014 all of America was focused on the World Cup Games in Brazil and the match between the United States and Belgium. Belgium won the match, but the US broke a record, and one member of the US team, goalkeeper Tim Howard got all the credit. This story follows the course of Tim Howards professional career from New Jersey to England to Brazil. Howard has had to face challenges in order to become the record-breaking goalkeeper he is today. Personally and professionally, Tim Howard knows how to make and keep goals.

She was a sweet little rag doll named Raggedy Ann. Her rag doll brother was a cute little fellow named Raggedy Andy. They became the leading characters in some of the best-loved children's books, and they have remained well-loved for almost a hundred years. But where did such successful and happy dolls begin? The answer lies in the story of Johnny Gruelle. He didn't think of writing children's books at first. Johnny started out drawing sports pictures and cartoons. He and his wife, Myrtle, had a little girl. Johnny told her stories about her rag doll. Pretty soon, the doll was named Raggedy Ann. But no one knew that there would be great sorrow ahead. No one knew that the little rag doll would help Johnny and his family when they needed it most.

Millions of fans know Ashley Tisdale as the rich, stuck-up Sharpay Evans in the High School Musical series. Like Sharpay, Ashley is a talented actress and singer. But unlike Sharpay, Ashley hasn t always lived the glamorous life. As she was growing up in New Jersey, Ashley wasn t even wishing to be a star. Instead, she was accidentally discovered by a talent agent in a shopping mall. She began acting in TV commercials and shows, and as her talent began to shine, she appeared in Broadway shows. It was the role of Maddie on the Disney Channel series The Suite Life of Zack and Cody that made her popular and honed her skills for the role of Sharpay. Today, Ashley is one of America s hottest stars. But she is also a normal girl who loves her family and friends. Learn how this young actress and singer rose to fame in this fun biography.

Brittany Murphy has always been a performer. As a two-year-old tot, she put on little shows for her parents. When she was a student at Herbert Hoover Middle School in Edison, New Jersey, she sang in Les Miserables. By the time she was thirteen, she had moved to Los Angeles and was filming commercials and starring in sitcoms. Brittany got her first break in the movies at age eighteen playing Tai in Clueless, and she has never looked back. With over 60 movie and television credits to her name, Brittany believes that the love and support she receives from her mother not only helped her get a start in show business, it has also shaped her into one of the hardest working actors in Hollywood today.

Audiences fell in love with Raven when she made her first TV debut on The Cosby Show in 1989. Since then, Raven has continued to appear on television shows and movies as a young actress. In 2003, she became the first African American girl to get a television show named after her. She starred in Disney Channel s That s So Raven for three years. Even though she is famous, Raven grew up just like most other teens. She went to public school and even had to do chores around the house. Now that Raven is a young adult, she plans on continuing her acting and singing career. She also dreams of one day going to cooking school in Paris. With her energy and motivation, Raven is on track to achieve all her goals.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is the son and grandson of racecar drivers. When he was a young man everyone was sure he would be a racecar driver too. They were sure that he was going to follow in the footsteps of his father, champion NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Sr. But Dale Sr. was killed in a crash, when everyone wondered if Dale Jr. would lose his nerve. Would he be afraid to race again? It would be up to Dale Jr. to prove that he too, is a true champion.

When he was a little boy, Shaquille O'Neal hated being so tall. He didn't like standing out from all the other kids. When he was only thirteen, Shaq was already as tall as a grown man. His father told him that someday he would be proud of his height. Shaq didn't know how that could be. But he had a love of basketball, and a great talent as a player. In his very first year as a professional basketball player, Shaq knew that his father had been right. Now Shaquille O'Neal would show everyone that the boy who had been too tall had become a true superstar of basketball.

The Cardinals power-hitting first baseman Albert Pujols grew up in poverty in the Dominican Republic. When he moved to the United States as a teenager, he struggled to learn English and fit in at school. Despite the hardships in his life, he always had baseball. He worked hard and used his tremendous talent to become a star player on a championship team. Along the way, Pujols has been raising a beautiful family and has used his money and fame to improve the lives of children around the world. This biography tells Albert Pujols s life story and shows readers how hard work and dedication can change anyone s life for the better.