Justin Bieber: His World. Riley Brooks. Toronto, ON: Scholastic Canada, 2010. 44 pp., pbk., $4.99. ISBN 978-0-545-25357-4. Grades 4-8 / Ages 9-13. Review by Dave Jenkinson. ** /4
	Justin Bieber Quiz Book. Riley Brooks. Toronto, ON: Scholastic Canada, 2010. 48 pp., pbk., $4.99. ISBN 978-0-545-28610-7. Grades 4-8 / Ages 9-13. Review by Dave Jenkinson. ** /4

excerpt:

Justin was a talented, happy kid, but that didn't mean things were always easy for him. He and his mom struggled to make ends meet. Pattie worked two jobs and studied web design at night, hoping to eventually land a job with better hours and pay. "We were living below the poverty line," Patty told Entertainment Weekly. "We had a roof over our heads and we had food in the house, but we really struggled. In the end, though, their struggles were worth it. These days, Pattie owns her own web design company and can spend much more time with her son. (From Justin Bieber: His World.)


Quiz #2 MATERIAL BOY

Since becoming a star, Justin has gotten some pretty cool stuff. Think you know which gadgets and splurges are Justin's favorites? Take the quiz below to find out!

8. When Justin gets homesick, he:
      A. takes time off and flies home to Canada in his private jet
      B. racks up huge long-distance bills calling his buddies
      C. watches a hockey game and eats Canadian bacon
      D. flies one of his best friends in to hang out with him on tour
(From Justin Bieber Quiz Book.)

Should there be a 'tween or teen girl in North America who has not yet heard of teen singing sensation Justin Bieber, then these two thin books are for her. The nine chapters of Justin Bieber: His World provide a brief chronological overview of Justin's life, from his birth on March 1, 1994, through his growing up in Stratford, ON, his on-line musical beginnings and his discovery by a music manager, his signing with Usher's music label and the making of his first album, My World, and the release of four singles from it, to, finally, the release of the album, itself, on November, 2009, and the anticipated release of his second album in March 2010. The book's ninth and final "chapter" is really just a fact page, including Justin's favourite number [6] drink [orange juice] and dessert [apple pie]. Brooks's readable text draws its facts from secondary web-based and printed sources that Brooks acknowledges within the text.

      Following "Justin's Story,' a concise four-page summary of Justin's life and career, most of the rest of Justin Bieber Quiz Book understandably consists of quizzes. The seven themed quizzes contain from six to 16 multiple choice questions that focus on topics such as Justin's famous friends and his preferences regarding romance, food and sports. The book's final page provides an answer key. The book also provides two fill-in-the-blanks "stories" in which the reader can insert her name, as in the following example.

Luckily for Justin, his biggest fan, [GIRL'S NAME], was waiting to see him. [SAME GIRL'S NAME] was [ADJECTIVE] and she was holding a(n) [INSTRUMENT] that Justin's [MUSICIAN] would have loved to see. Justin hurried over and introduced himself. How could he pass up a chance to meet a beautiful girl who could also play the [instrument]?

"Hi, I'm [GIRL'S NAME] and I'm your biggest fan," [GIRL'S NAME] said as Justin stopped in front of her.

"Would you like me to sign your [INSTRUMENT]?" Justin replied.

"I would love that!" [GIRL'S NAME] squealed. I'm the best [INSTRUMENT] player in my school.

      The two books disagree on some Bieber facts. While Justin Bieber: His World asserted that his favourite colour was blue and that Justin's sibling was "half-sister Jazmyn", Justin Bieber Quiz Book claims that purple is Justin's preferred colour and that he actually has two half-siblings, sister Jazmyn and brother Jaxon.

      Both books are generously illustrated with colour photos of Bieber, with Justin Bieber: His World containing 18 full-page and two-half page photos. Justin Bieber Quiz Book has 13 half-page photos and 10 full-page photographs. Bieber's female fans, however, will be disappointed that half of the quiz book's full-page photos are repeats from Justin Bieber: His World.

      While school and public libraries that need materials for reluctant female readers should consider purchasing both books, (even though the quiz book invites readers to write in the book), perhaps both titles are better individual purchases.

Recommended with reservations.

Dave Jenkinson, CM's editor, lives in Winnipeg, MB.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

Copyright © the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.

Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

Hosted by the University of Manitoba.

 

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