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Tupac Shakur
Rather than purely simplifying the text, this series of biographies is written to help enhance struggling readers' comprehension and vocabulary by matching a low reading level with more detailed information and a more sophisticated design.
112 pages, Library Binding
First published January 1, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
April 22, 2024
3.5 stars This was fine. Just really brief, not especially informative.
May 17, 2023
This book, which goes through the life of tupac shakur, went very in-depth and was surprisingly interesting to read. Usually, biographies are uninteresting and boring to read, but this biography provided a lot of insight into hip-hop and revolutions in general. The teachings this book helped were very intricate as it shows how Tupac Shakur influenced bad lifestyles such as the thug life but he also was a very good civil rights activist whose teachings influenced many.
Tupac Shakur's biography was not only insightful, but it was also motivational because of the situation Shakur came from and the situation he ended up in. Tupac grew up with no father figure and an addicted mother and rose to become one of the most famous hip-hop artists in America and a huge influencer also.
Overall, in some places of this book, it lacked some detail but it is definitely a good read, especially for those who are into music like Hip-Hop and for those just interested in history. This book can definitely be read at most age levels and a 4th grader could probably be able to read it while an adult could still find the book interesting.
Tupac Shakur's biography was not only insightful, but it was also motivational because of the situation Shakur came from and the situation he ended up in. Tupac grew up with no father figure and an addicted mother and rose to become one of the most famous hip-hop artists in America and a huge influencer also.
Overall, in some places of this book, it lacked some detail but it is definitely a good read, especially for those who are into music like Hip-Hop and for those just interested in history. This book can definitely be read at most age levels and a 4th grader could probably be able to read it while an adult could still find the book interesting.
October 1, 2008
(Disclosure: Carrie Golus, author of this book, is a personal friend of mine.)
Of all the rap artists of the so-called "gangster" period of the '90s and '00s, it is Tupac Shakur who still remains such a quintessential example; gunned down in 1996 at the age of 25, he still remains one of the best-selling artists of the entire genre, as well as an example of the "thug life" street credibility such artists were expected by their fans to maintain. And that's what makes it so hard to write an effective children's book on the life and times of Shakur, in that it is filled with thorny and complex issues easy to misinterpret even as an adult -- his mother was a prominent Black Panther in the '60s, he himself was a fan of Irish pop music and challenging contemporary literature, yet his career largely depended on the exploitation of women and the advocacy of mindless violence and drug abuse, all of it peppered with liberal sprinklings of the "n-word" and other derogatory language.
It's to the credit of author Carrie Golus, then, and publisher Lerner's "Just The Facts" series, that their own overview of Shakur's life should come out so nuanced, easy to read, and surprisingly appropriate for younger children; instead of hiding from all these issues, they tackle them in a straightforward and balanced way, inserting a plethora of sidebar articles within the text helping to explain so many of these complicated issues to young readers, without once ever insulting them or otherwise talking down to their audience. The portrait of Shakur that emerges from this book is an intriguing and unexpected one, one that is sure to resonate with many kids; partly a victim of his own success, partly a self-denier of his own intelligence and love of culture, this sympathetic look at his career and life highlights the constant struggle between art and commerce, between one's personal principles and the realities of whatever community one is a part of. A must-read for teens struggling with their own young identities, and of course simply a great factual overview of Shakur's life as well, for those who would like to know more.
Of all the rap artists of the so-called "gangster" period of the '90s and '00s, it is Tupac Shakur who still remains such a quintessential example; gunned down in 1996 at the age of 25, he still remains one of the best-selling artists of the entire genre, as well as an example of the "thug life" street credibility such artists were expected by their fans to maintain. And that's what makes it so hard to write an effective children's book on the life and times of Shakur, in that it is filled with thorny and complex issues easy to misinterpret even as an adult -- his mother was a prominent Black Panther in the '60s, he himself was a fan of Irish pop music and challenging contemporary literature, yet his career largely depended on the exploitation of women and the advocacy of mindless violence and drug abuse, all of it peppered with liberal sprinklings of the "n-word" and other derogatory language.
It's to the credit of author Carrie Golus, then, and publisher Lerner's "Just The Facts" series, that their own overview of Shakur's life should come out so nuanced, easy to read, and surprisingly appropriate for younger children; instead of hiding from all these issues, they tackle them in a straightforward and balanced way, inserting a plethora of sidebar articles within the text helping to explain so many of these complicated issues to young readers, without once ever insulting them or otherwise talking down to their audience. The portrait of Shakur that emerges from this book is an intriguing and unexpected one, one that is sure to resonate with many kids; partly a victim of his own success, partly a self-denier of his own intelligence and love of culture, this sympathetic look at his career and life highlights the constant struggle between art and commerce, between one's personal principles and the realities of whatever community one is a part of. A must-read for teens struggling with their own young identities, and of course simply a great factual overview of Shakur's life as well, for those who would like to know more.
March 10, 2020
I think that this book is good because it tells slot about his backround image, even before he was gangsta, another thing I also find Interesting, I had no idea that Tupac was the son of a Black Panther, or that he excelled in an art school for children, or that he had survived 2 shootings before the on that really killed him. And I think the writing is really effective at explaining his life before rap. However, they could talk a little more about how he became famous because that was kinda weak. i would 10/10 recommend to a classmate or someone
May 9, 2017
Short and accessible for middle-high school, doesn't unduly highlight nor ignore the controversial aspects of his career.
March 21, 2022
I love the story about tupac tell his life story
February 8, 2012
As I really have no interest in Tupac and I typically don't read nonfiction, this is definitely not a book I'd choose myself. It wasn't terrible, but it really wasn't anything special. It was a quick read. It was nice to see the newspaper articles from the past inserted amidst the biographical narrative, but it did break up the reading a bit. It remind me of textbooks; I honestly don't know if the teen target audience would feel the same way; probably not if they were reading because they really were interested in learning about Tupac. I learned some interesting tidbits (his mother was a Black Panther; he was friends with Jada Pinkett in HS), but to me, it was very flat; it lacked emotion. I would have loved more first person accounts of his life, or even a little sampling of his cleaner lyrics and/or poetry.
April 20, 2008
Tupac Shakur, part of the Just the Facts Biographies series, will interest the reluctant reader with Tupac’s life as a child with his mother Afeni, his early talent for writing plays, poetry and songs, and his rapper beginnings. Tupac’s life was reflected in his lyrics and he lived hard and worked hard. He began getting arrested and his image turned to one of gangster. His fame brought him toughness and bullets. A career was ended in a drive by shooting but his poetry, lyrics and songs keep his legacy strong today.
December 13, 2007
Interesting, quick read. I had no idea that Tupac was the son of a Black Panther, or that he excelled in an art school for children, or that he had survived 2 shootings prior to the one that ended his life. Plus, he was never really a "thug" until he started making a living singing street rap. College courses have been taught on him. He was a self-educated scholar who died way too soon - I can see why kids are fascinated with him.
July 3, 2013
This short volume gives a concise overview of the short, yet oh so full, life of Tupac Shakur. The book features full color photographs, and sidebars offer information and explanations related to people and events mentioned in the text. The end materials include a timeline, glossary, filmography, discography, source notes, recommendations of books and websites for further reading, and an index.
Great introduction for those wishing to know the history behind the full and tragic life of 2Pac.
Great introduction for those wishing to know the history behind the full and tragic life of 2Pac.
May 6, 2011
Very good.. it really shows how much Tupac had on people's lives and shows that is the Greatest Rapper of All Time and one of the greatest musicians we've had since besides Kurt Cobain of Nirvana. He is just as legendary as John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix,James Dean, and even Elvis!
Want to read
September 16, 2008about to read it
September 17, 2010
it's sick
July 15, 2016
Learned a few interesting things. I enjoyed this read and passed it to my mom to read next :)
Read
April 22, 2008ALOT
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews