Books in 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!

You may know that Selena Gomez starred in Wizards of Waverly Place and rocks the music world in Selena Gomez & the Scene. But did you know that Selena: • got her big break in show business playing Gianna on Barney & Friends? • was named after Latina singer Selena Quintanilla-Pérez? • thought she'd blown her screen test with the Disney Channel―only to be offered the chance to become a major Disney star? Want to know more about the life of this talented celebrity? Read on to learn all about Selena's childhood, career, best friends, boyfriends, favorite things, and more!

You may know Ariana Grande became a household name after acting and singing in the hit TV show Victorious. But did you know that she: • called Nickelodeon studios when she was four years old to try to get a role on the show All That? • performed in a Broadway musical as a young teen? • is often compared to superstar Mariah Carey? Want to know more about this talented star? Read on to learn all about Ariana's life before stardom as well as her rise to fame, breakthrough performances, passions, and more!

You may know that Ross Lynch rose to fame after starring in the hit Disney TV show Austin & Ally. But did you know that he: • had a close encounter with a shark while snorkeling? • acted in about twenty national commercials? • is the front man in the band R5, in which he plays with three of his siblings and his best friend? Want to know more about this talented star? Read on to learn all about Ross's life before stardom, breakthrough performances, passions, upcoming projects, and more!

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!

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!

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!

You may know that Emma Watson rose to fame playing Hermione in the beloved Harry Potter films. But did you know that she: • is supersmart and studied at Brown University? • was so nervous about playing Sam in The Perks of Being a Wallflower that she emailed the director to tell him he could do better? • designs her own line of clothing for People Tree, a company that's known for paying its workers a fair wage? Want to know more about the life of this gifted celebrity? Read on to learn all about Emma's childhood, family, likes and dislikes, upcoming projects, hopes for the future, and more!

You may know that Ross Lynch rose to fame after starring in the hit Disney TV show Austin & Ally. But did you know that he: • had a close encounter with a shark while snorkeling? • acted in about twenty national commercials? • is the front man in the band R5, in which he plays with three of his siblings and his best friend? Want to know more about this talented star? Read on to learn all about Ross's life before stardom, breakthrough performances, passions, upcoming projects, and more!

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!

You may know that Selena Gomez starred in Wizards of Waverly Place and rocks the music world in Selena Gomez & the Scene. But did you know that Selena: • got her big break in show business playing Gianna on Barney & Friends? • was named after Latina singer Selena Quintanilla-Pérez? • thought she'd blown her screen test with the Disney Channel―only to be offered the chance to become a major Disney star? Want to know more about the life of this talented celebrity? Read on to learn all about Selena's childhood, career, best friends, boyfriends, favorite things, and more!

You may know Zendaya from the Disney Channel's Shake It Up. But did you know that she: • danced in a hip-hop group when she was eight years old? • was the youngest contestant ever on Dancing with the Stars―and she earned second place? • hopes to have her own fashion line someday? Want to know more about this talented star? Read on to learn all about Zendaya's life before stardom, rise to fame, breakthrough roles, passions, and more!