Selena Gomez

Short and sweet and I mean that as a compliment. Written for young readers, it presents quite a bit of basic information on Selena Gomez in an easy to read manner. While positive in nature, it doesn't avoid mentioning her various health issues, either, which I count as a plus. Gomez seems to be upfront with her fans about such issues, so it was nice to see the book take a similar approach. Nicely illustrated, it covers her early life, including her parents' divorce, and her emergence first on Barney & Friends, going up to her current position on Only Murders In the Building with Steve Martin and Martin Short. As I type, that show is in the entertainment news with the well-received premiere of Season 4 and quick renewal for another season, so I was happy to see the relative up-to-date nature of the book.

You're not going to learn everything there is to know about Selena Gomez from this book, of course, but for young readers eager to get to know a favorite star, it's a great start. Chapters are quite short, with words possibly unfamiliar being in bold print later being defined in a glossary. There's also a timeline and suggestions of where to find more information. The publishers and authors note that while the sources were checked for appropriateness, parents of young readers might want to do an updated check, a nice suggestion. Bottom line, a nicely done book for young readers and even older readers might pick up a few things while enjoying the photos, too. Thanks #RosenPublishingGroup for sharing this look at a young woman I've come to admire.

Beth Gottlieb’s Selena Gomez is a delightful and informative read aimed at younger readers, particularly tweens, who are eager to learn more about the pop sensation, actress, and entrepreneur Selena Gomez. Part of the Icon Series, this book provides an exciting, visually engaging exploration of Selena's journey from her early days as a child actor to becoming a global superstar.
One of the book’s biggest draws is its accessibility. The language is easy to follow, making it ideal for struggling readers or anyone looking for a quick yet informative dive into Selena's life. Full-color photographs throughout the book add a fun visual element, keeping readers engaged with stunning snapshots of Selena's evolution—from her Disney Channel fame to her multi-faceted career in music, TV, and business with her beauty brand, Rare Beauty.
For young fans, the book offers not only a biography of Selena but also an inspiring story of perseverance. Gottlieb highlights Selena’s challenges, including her struggles with health and mental wellness, while also celebrating her accomplishments. This balance makes the book both educational and motivational, showing readers that success comes with ups and downs but can be achieved with determination.
The vibrant graphics and exciting photos give the book a lively feel, making it appealing for younger audiences. The book also does a great job of covering Selena’s wide range of talents—from acting and music to entrepreneurship—showcasing her as a positive role model for aspiring artists and entrepreneurs alike.
For readers who are looking for in-depth insights into Selena’s personal life or detailed analyses of her music and projects, the book may feel a bit too surface-level. However, given its target audience of tweens, the simplified approach works well for what the book sets out to achieve.
Beth Gottlieb’s Selena Gomez is a fun, engaging, and inspiring read for younger audiences. It provides a well-rounded look at Selena’s life and career, while offering motivation and entertainment through its visually captivating design. A must-read for any young fan eager to be "in the know" about one of today’s biggest stars.
Perfect for tweens who are fans of Selena or looking for an inspiring figure to follow, this book is a great addition to the Icon Series. It captures Selena’s rise to fame and success with energy and positivity, making it a super fun read!

I love Selena and have followed her career since The Wizard's Of Waverley Place so this book was great to learn more about her career and the star she has become.

This is a nice, short book that gives an brief introduction to Selena Gomez.

The chapters are short, as are the pages but they do fit in quite a bit of detail that could be used to read more about Selena if you wanted to do so. I had only recently been reading about her living with her grandparents and the staggering net worth she has from her entrepreneur works as well as her acting and singing career - for a young woman she had achieved a lot, especially with having Lupus - she is quite inspirational.

It is 4 stars from me for this one - a great introduction - highly recommended!

For young readers, this short introduction to Selena Gomez touches on her many endeavors, from music and television to her beauty line and fundraising efforts regarding mental health services and education for young people. Her health challenges are mentioned with positive notes that life's obstacles can be overcome. A timeline, list of additional sources for further research and a glossary are also included. Glossary words appear in bold text when first used in the book.

An easy biography, this will be a popular read in the target audience of middle school and perhaps older elementary grades.

Thanks to Enslow Publishing, Beth Gottlieb and NetGalley for this ARC.