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Reviewed by Carmen Tenorio for Readers' Favorite
Growing Up As...Taylor Swift by Angela Gail Griffin mainly focuses on the younger and formative childhood years of American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. Readers are introduced to a very young Taylor Swift as they learn more about her motivation, dreams, aspirations, and firm determination to succeed. The succeeding chapters are basically about her relationships, inspirations and influences, her widening ambitions, and the major challenges that she had to overcome to make her dreams come true. From fond memories of growing up on a Christmas tree farm, writing her first poem and song, performing in her first school play, experiencing bullying, unrequited love, and landing her first recording deal, the book gives a close look at Swift's life. Her story tells us how she relied on traits like perseverance, hard work, confidence, and patience to achieve her goals and was rewarded with a successful career and the recognition and support of millions of followers who propelled her into the phenomenal international musical artist that she is.
Growing Up As...Taylor Swift by Angela Gail Griffin portrays her as a good role model for kids. We see a young person who, along with exploring and becoming aware of her talents, also developed values of creativity, curiosity, self-confidence, optimism, faith, and resilience. Readers will see that these are the very traits that led her to achieve her aspirations. This inspirational narrative tells young people that age is not a hindrance to following your dream and making it come true as long as you are determined not to easily give up, continually stick to having discipline and self-assurance, and believe in the talent instilled in you. Persistence and self-reliance is the key. But more than that, it is also a story of good parenting. Taylor Swift was lucky to have parents who encouraged and believed in her and gave her all the support and understanding needed by a gifted child like her. The simple language, readable fonts, roomy page margins, and charming artwork by illustrators Valerie Valdivia and Vajihe Golmazari make it highly recommended for middle school readers, even for those who are considered picky or reluctant readers.
