Lives Cut Short

This informative title highlights the life of Prince. Readers will learn about his childhood in Minneapolis, Minnesota, including an early interest in music that led him to teach himself to play several instruments at a young age. The book discusses Prince's legendary music career, from the release his first album when he was only 19 years old up to his 2015 release, HITnRUN. Prince's diverse musical influences are explored, as is the 1984 album Purple Rain and the movie of the same name, which launched him to a level of superstardom beyond what he had achieved with any of his previous albums. The album features many hit singles, such as "When Doves Cry," "Let's Go Crazy," and "Purple Rain." Prince's difficult business relationship with recording label Warner Bros. and his 1993 decision to change his name to an unpronounceable symbol are also discussed. His political activism is included, as is his commitment to mentoring up-and-coming musicians. Details of the investigation surrounding his tragic death at age 57 are also discussed. This book includes details of Prince's life and covers the controversies surrounding his life and death. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Essential Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.

This informative title highlights the life of Amy Winehouse. Readers will learn about Winehouse's music-filled childhood in Southgate, a North London suburb. Winehouse's early musical work is discussed, from her beginnings in the childhood duet Sweet n Sour to her job as a reporter for World Entertainment News Network to the beginning of her musical success with when she signed with EMI. Winehouse's albums Frank and Back to Black are introduced, as is her hit Rehab. Winehouse's courtship with Blake Fielder-Civil is included, as is their tumultuous marriage and eventual divorce. Winehouse's self-abusing behavior such as drug and alcohol addiction, self-mutilation, and eating disorders is included, leading to her death by alcohol poisoning at age 27. This book includes details of Winehouse's life and covers the controversies surrounding her life and death. Lives Cut Short is a series in Essential Library, an imprint of ABDO Publishing Company.

This informative title highlights the life of Kurt Cobain. Readers will learn about Cobain's background and his role in the formation of the groundbreaking band Nirvana. Cobain's unstable childhood in Aberdeen Washington is detailed as well as his drug and alcohol use. Cobain's early musical work is discussed, as well as his formation of Nirvana and his collaboration with Dave Grohl and Chris Novoselic. Nirvana's albums Bleach, Nevermind, and In Utero are introduced, as is the band's breakout hit Smells Like Teen Spirit. Cobain's courtship with Courtney Love is included, as is their marriage and the birth of their daughter Frances. Cobain's descent into heroin addiction is included, leading to his death by self-inflicted gunshot wound at age 27. This book includes details of Cobain's life and covers the controversies surrounding his life and death. Lives Cut Short is a series in Essential Library, an imprint of ABDO Publishing Company.

This informative title highlights the life of Whitney Houston. Readers will learn about Houston's childhood in Newark, New Jersey including her strong family life and her beginnings as a singer at New Hope Baptist Church. Houston's musical work is discussed from her days as a backup singer for Chaka Kahn, Jermaine Jackson and the Neville Brothers and her collaboration with cousin Dionne Warwick and aunt Aretha Franklin through her superstardom as a solo act with the hits Saving All My Love For You, How Will I know, I Wanna Dance With Somebody, and her soundtrack to The Bodyguard featuring Dolly Parton's I Will Always Love You. Houston's courtship with Bobby Brown is included, as is their marriage and the birth of their daughter Bobbi Kristina and their eventual and divorce. Houston's descent into drug addiction is included, leading to her death at age 48 while in the mist of a reemerging career. This book includes details of Houston's life and covers the controversies surrounding her life and death. Lives Cut Short is a series in Essential Library, an imprint of ABDO Publishing Company.

This informative title highlights the life of Marilyn Monroe. Readers will learn about Monroe's background from her birth as Norma Jean through her unstable childhood in foster homes and orphanages to her marriage to James Dougherty at age 16. Monroe's early work is discussed, from her beginnings as a model with Blue Book Modeling Agency to her signing with Twentieth Century Fox Studios, and her becoming Marilyn Monroe, through early films such as Love Happy and We're Not Married to her superstar roles in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, How to Marry a Millionaire, The Seven Year Itch, Some Like it Hot, and The Misfits. Monroe's marriages to Joe DiMaggio and Arthur Miller are examined, as is her relationship with the Kennedy family. Monroe's descent into self-destructive behavior is covered, including her death by drug overdose at age 36. This book includes details of Monroe's life and covers the controversies surrounding her life and death. Lives Cut Short is a series in Essential Library, an imprint of ABDO Publishing Company.

This informative title covers the life Elvis Presley. Readers learn of his childhood in Tupelo, Mississippi and his family's relocation to Memphis, Tennessee. Presley's musical work is discussed, from his beginning singing Ole Shep at a state fair to his collaboration with Sam Phillips at Sun Studios in Memphis to his recording of That's All Right, and his introduction to Colonel Tom Parker to his signing with RCA and his first hits Heartbreak Hotel, Don't Be Cruel, and Hound Dog through his television appearances Ed Sullivan and live performances such as 68 Comeback Special and Aloha From Hawaii. Opposition to his controversial dance moves by parents, ministers and lawmakers is included, including his censorship on the Steve Allen Show and public banning of his music. Elvis's movie career is included with hits such as Love Me Tender, Viva Las Vegas, Jailhouse Rock, and Blue Hawaii as is his military service in the US Army. Presley's courtship with Priscilla Beaulieu is included, as is their marriage and the birth of their daughter Lisa Marie, their home Graceland, and their eventual divorce. Elvis's descent into drug use is included, leading to his death by heart failure at age 42. This book includes details of Elvis's life and covers the controversies surrounding his life and death. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Essential Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO. Reviewed Famous entertainers and historical figures whose lives were tragically cut short are detailed in this series. Readers will learn about each person's background, career, legendary contributions, and tragic death. Also covered are controversies and challenges, giving readers a well-rounded perspective of each life. Color photos and informative sidebars accompany easy-to-read, compelling text. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Essential Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.

This legendary rapper was gunned down in Las Vegas in 1996, but not before having multi-platinum releases and a promising acting career. A prime example of the line rappers walk between street credibility and their art, Tupac pushed the East-West rap feud both as a real fight and as a tool to influence media coverage of his career. Tupac's raps were part traditional social protest and part gritty descriptions of street life in urban neighborhoods. This book includes details of his life, career, and like the other Essential Lives Cut Short books, covers the controversies surrounding his life and death. Lives Cut Short is a series in Essential Library, an imprint of ABDO Publishing Company. Reviewed Famous entertainers and historical figures whose lives were tragically cut short are detailed in this series. Readers will learn about each person's background, career, legendary contributions, and tragic death. Also covered are controversies and challenges, giving readers a well-rounded perspective of each life. Color photos and informative sidebars accompany easy-to-read, compelling text. Lives Cut Short is a series in Essential Library, an imprint of ABDO Publishing Company.

This informative title covers the life of the People's Princess, Diana, Princess of Wales. Readers learn of her childhood, her parent's divorce and her father's remarriage, her trip to boarding school, and the affects of these events on her life. Diana's first meeting with Charles, Prince of Wales in 1977 is detailed, as is their whirlwind courtship, fairytale wedding, the birth of the Princes William and Harry, and the couple's acrimonious divorce. Diana's struggle with bulimia, her suicide attempts, as well as her compassion for others in her service for AIDS, homelessness, and land mine awareness are also discussed. The positive changes in her life after her divorce and the events leading to her tragic death at age 36 are also examined. This book includes details of Diana's life and covers the controversies surrounding her life and death. Lives Cut Short is a series in Essential Library, an imprint of ABDO Publishing Company.

This informative title covers the life Elvis Presley. Readers learn of his childhood in Tupelo, Mississippi and his family's relocation to Memphis, Tennessee. Presley's musical work is discussed, from his beginning singing Ole Shep at a state fair to his collaboration with Sam Phillips at Sun Studios in Memphis to his recording of That's All Right, and his introduction to Colonel Tom Parker to his signing with RCA and his first hits Heartbreak Hotel, Don't Be Cruel, and Hound Dog through his television appearances Ed Sullivan and live performances such as 68 Comeback Special and Aloha From Hawaii. Opposition to his controversial dance moves by parents, ministers and lawmakers is included, including his censorship on the Steve Allen Show and public banning of his music. Elvis's movie career is included with hits such as Love Me Tender, Viva Las Vegas, Jailhouse Rock, and Blue Hawaii as is his military service in the US Army. Presley's courtship with Priscilla Beaulieu is included, as is their marriage and the birth of their daughter Lisa Marie, their home Graceland, and their eventual divorce. Elvis's descent into drug use is included, leading to his death by heart failure at age 42. This book includes details of Elvis's life and covers the controversies surrounding his life and death. Lives Cut Short is a series in Essential Library, an imprint of ABDO Publishing Company.

This title chronicles the song and dance genius of the King of Pop, whose recent death reinforced the level of his global influence and stardom. While covering controversies and oddities, from the trial on molestation charges to his cosmetic surgeries to his amusement-park house Neverland, the book also details his incredible songs, videos, work habits, childhood, and groundbreaking career. Jackson's music is still popular with young people, especially with the convenience of MP3 downloads and the enthusiasm passed down from older fans. Lives Cut Short is a series in Essential Library, an imprint of ABDO Publishing Company. Reviewed Famous entertainers and historical figures whose lives were tragically cut short are detailed in this series. Readers will learn about each person's background, career, legendary contributions, and tragic death. Also covered are controversies and challenges, giving readers a well-rounded perspective of each life. Color photos and informative sidebars accompany easy-to-read, compelling text. Lives Cut Short is a series in Essential Library, an imprint of ABDO Publishing Company.