Queen Latifah: From Jersey Girl to Superstar (USA TODAY Lifeline Biographies)

Allen, Amy Ruth

ISBN 10: 0761342346 ISBN 13: 9780761342342

Publisher: Twenty-First Century Books, 2012

People who knew Queen Latifah as a kid in Newark, New Jersey, would never have guessed at the fame in her future. But Latifah always dreamed big. Her dreams―and hard work―paid off. While still a teenager, Latifah became the first female solo rapper to sign with a major label and earn widespread popularity. She crafted a unique style full of positive messages, completely changing the rap landscape.

That was just the beginning. Since 1989 Queen Latifah has made eight albums and thirty movies, starred in a top TV sitcom, hosted a talk show, launched business and charitable ventures, and won several prestigious awards.

As USA TODAY, the Nation's No. 1 Newspaper, reports, it's ordinary people who inspire Queen Latifah: "[A stranger once] told me how much I meant to her and to women of color, and women in general. When I hear that, I know that I'm doing the right thing." What's next for Latifah? The world will be watching, eager to find out.

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About the Author:

A seasoned communications professional with 17 years experience in writing, editing, public relations, and media relations, Amy Ruth Allen has worked in the areas of arts management, higher education and children's literature. She is the author of several children's books, and her many articles have appeared in newspapers and magazines nationwide, including in The Washington Post, Mademoiselle, and Crayola Kids. She lives in Lynchburg, Virginia, with her husband Leigh Allen.

Review:

The Lifeline Biographies series, produced with access to USA Today's archives, includes twenty titles covering individuals as diverse as Barak Obama and Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of the World Wide Web. Sparkling graphics, stylish layout, and engaging writing will attract young readers, especially those needing one-hundred-plus-page biographies for assignments. The life stories of two talented and influential women, Queen Latifah and Lady Gaga, are two new titles in this fine series. The journey of Dana Owens, aka Queen Latifah, from teen-aged solo rapper to actress and spokesperson for women of color was achieved through a combination of talent, business acumen, and sheer determination. In only two years, Stefani Germanotta, aka Lady Gaga, rose from obscure club singer to cultural icon, achieving phenomenal success in the difficult and stressful pop music industry. Her biographer reveals the talented musician and dedicated social activist behind the bizarre costumes and makeup. These brief biographies of two super-stars stress the strong work ethic, musical talent, and social activism of both women, while not ignoring some of the less positive aspects of their career, including legal problems, personal tragedies, and drug and alcohol abuse.
In both volumes, attention-grabbing side notes called "In Focus" and articles from USA Today offer readers fascinating insights into musical, historical and cultural influences that have molded the lives and careers of these performers. These two admirable biographies belong in any collection serving young readers.
―VOYA
(Journal)

"Each book contains background about social movements, fashion, and musical influences, plus excerpts from USA Today articles. Queen Latifah’s childhood and family life, as well as Lady Gag’s development of her persona, are covered in detail, while topics such as drugs and sexual orientation are also discussed. Fans won’t mind the crowded layout. Latifah has a glossary; Gaga has a timeline." --The Horn Book Guide

(Journal)

"From the USA Today Lifeline Biographies series, this colorfully illustrated book opens in the mid-1980s, when teenager Dana Owens would sneak out of her family’s New Jersey apartment at night, traveling to New York clubs where she could dance to rap music. Backtracking to trace her life from early childhood onward, Allen discusses the development of Owens' confidence and talents, her successful career in music and acting, and her reasons for choosing the name Queen Latifah. The clearly written text incorporates many quotes, all well sourced in the extensive back matter. Illustrations, mainly color photos, appear on nearly every page, while frequent 'From the Pages of USA Today' sidebars reprint short articles with titles such as 'Tearful Queen Latifah Recounts carjacking,' while 'In Focus' sidebars offer background on related topics such as 'Hip-Hop Roots.' This very readable biography is a good starting place for curious fans." --Booklist

(Journal)

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