June 1, 2015
Grades 5-8 Katy Perry is probably most notorious for her wacky costumes and her lively stage performances, but the Contemporary Lives series offers a more complete view of the charismatic and multitalented entertainer. The book emphasizes that Perry, born as Kate Hudson, is a self-made woman whose success can be credited to years of hard work rather than luck. Perry's story begins with her complicated relationship with her religious family and humble upbringing in Santa Monica. Her first guitar, her earliest gigs playing on street corners, and a short-lived stint in a pop band are tales from her early career that illustrate just how meteoric her rise to fame was. A brief and rocky marriage to Russell Brand and her romantic ties to other famous musicians are all discussed. A writer or cowriter on all of her songs, Perry is portrayed as a true musician who is down-to-earth and approachable, interacting with fans whenever she can. Thorough, detailed, and with plenty of full-color photos, this biography describes Perry far beyond her celebrity.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)