Reviews

Let's face it: you can't swing a cat and not hit a teen or tween Rihanna fan. Playing into the are group's love of music, pop stars, and actors, the Hot Celebrity Biographies series gives a behind-the-scenes look at fan favorites, including Selena Gomez, Justin Bieber, and, in this case, Rihanna. After a brief opening chapter, which recounts Rihanna's VMA win for Video of the Year in 2007, the biography leads readers from Barbados, Rihanna's birthplace, through her big break at age 15, and on to the megahit single 'Umbrella," which "conquered the world." This does touch on the negatives, too--notably he abuse she suffered at the hands of then-boyfriend Chris Brown. Catchy chapter titles include "Diva!," "Island Girl," and "The Dark Side and the Bright Side." Although some of the design elements and fonts give the book a slightly dated feel, the quotes, sidebars, and photos--plus "Selected Discography"--will draw the crowds, and the straightforward text and layout will likely appeal to reluctant readers., Booklist June 1 & 15, 2012