TITLE: Taylor Swift: Music Superstar (Celebrity Biography series)
AUTHOR: Jeff Burlingame
PUBLICATION INFO: Enslow, 2012
ISBN: 978-0-7660-3870-7
SOURCE: Review copy provided by publisher
INTENDED AUDIENCE: grades 5-9
GENRE: nonfiction
OPENING and SYNOPSIS:
“Best. First. Youngest. Each time Taylor Swift’s name comes up in a newspaper, magazine, or online article, there is a good chance at least one of those three words will be included.”
This pop star’s 48-page biography chronicles her life from her childhood in Wyomissing, PA, through her 2011 “Speak Now” tour. Backmatter includes resources for further information, timeline, discography and a glossary.
THEMES/TOPICS: music, celebrity biography
WHY I LIKE THIS BOOK: Burlingame shows that much of Swift’s success can be attributed to her hard work rather than luck. Before becoming famous, Swift performed at karaoke, fairs and baseball games and became a staff songwriter at Sony/ATV to hone her craft. Now, rather than being a prima donna, Swift remains down to earth, using social media to connect with fans. Burlingame gives us many reasons to appreciate Swift as a wonderful role model.
RESOURCES/ACTIVITIES:
- Enslow provides an educator’s guide with extension activities covering many school subjects.
Kirsten W. Larson 
Taylor is awesome. What an excellent subject for a biography. It IS all about hard work. Great message. Thanks.
Thanks Genevieve. I also found it interesting that the author pointed out that her family used connections to get her her first large gig singing the national anthem at the US Open. I think he wanted to show that it’s not about luck.
I was a bit surprised at first – I wouldn’t have guessed you follow these kind of stars. But I’m glad you did this time, because your effort points out something I wouldn’t have guessed, given my tendency to judge books by their covers! Thanks for reminding us all to look further, to look inside!
This book is aimed at reluctant readers. I wanted to read it to see how Enslow, a reputable educational publisher, would handle the subject. Oh, and Taylor Swift’s new single is pretty good too.
Good for you! Do you have a background in research Kirsten? Without my daughter around I have no idea what’s ‘in’, or even pretty good in pop music these days!
I have a bachelor’s in history, does that count?
I should say so!
Great review! I agree with Ms. Zoch! 🙂
It’s interesting to analyze the texts and how the authors treat the topic. Maybe I’ll read the book on Taylor Lautner next (ha, ha).
Taylor is known for her hard work ethic. John Mayer said that someday we’re all going to be working for Taylor Swift 🙂
Wow, aren’t you in the know when it comes to pop stars. 🙂