(4) K-3 Big Buddy Pop Biographies series. In each standard-issue biography, readers are introduced to the celebrity or band's early life and family, career, achievements, business ventures, and charitable works. The cheerful texts are peppered with gratuitous exclamation points ("Taylor spent two years writing songs for 1989!") and accompanied by stock photos and "Did You Know?" boxes. There are seven other spring 2016 books in this series. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Big Buddy Pop Biographies: 5 Seconds of Summer, Justin Timberlake, Kate Middleton, Pharrell Williams, and Taylor Swift.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(4) K-3 Zoom In on Stars of Music series. These templated early-reader biographies cursorily describe each entertainer's early life, rise to fame, "superstar" status, and recent accomplishments. The texts are clear but choppy: "In 2014 Williams released a solo album. He also became a singing coach for The Voice. It is a reality TV show." The design features many photos of the stars, including childhood yearbook photos. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Zoom In on Stars of Music titles: Beyoncé, Bruno Mars, Justin Timberlake, Katy Perry, Pharrell Williams, and Taylor Swift.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(4) 4-6 Pop Culture Bios: Super Singers series. These middle-grade biographies provide easy-to-read overviews but little new insight on their pop-singer subjects. The icons' childhood roots, roads to stardom, and current career details are all addressed, while sidebars contain extra facts and definitions (demo; screen test). The gushing slang ("fav"; "adorbs") grows tiresome, though some tweens may disagree; the abundant photos will likely be pored over. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these Pop Culture Bios: Super Singers titles: Bruno Mars, Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Beyoncé, One Direction, Selena Gomez, and Taylor Swift.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) 4-6 Hot Celebrity Biographies series. These adulatory biographies cover the rise to fame of some of today's most popular young stars in the music, television, and film industries. The high-interest texts, while superficial, are easy to read; sidebars provide trivia tidbits for fans. Ample publicity photographs and discographies or filmographies are included. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Hot Celebrity Biographies titles: Justin Bieber, Rihanna, Robert Pattinson, Selena Gomez, Taylor Lautner, and Taylor Swift.

Reviewer: Cindy Lombardo