Selena (Tdty) (They Died Too Young) [Library Binding]

Veda Boyd Jones (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 6-9-Jones manages a brief but cohesive narrative of the Tejano star's life and untimely death at the hands of her fan-club manager. Diaz is marred by suppositions about how she might have made certain career choices. For example, in discussing her decision to accept a role in Charlie's Angels, the author states, "-the $12 million paycheck couldn't have hurt-." That's fine, as far as it goes, but this device and tone are repeated throughout. The author quotes Diaz as being concerned about whether, as an actor, she could live with the over-the-line crudeness in her hit There's Something About Mary. This is followed up by the supposition that since the film was a success, she was probably able to live with it. The copyediting is also sloppy-Being John Malkovich director Spike Jonze's name is spelled both correctly and incorrectly in the same photo caption. The books have vivid colors and hip typography, but the cover photo of Diaz is amazingly unflattering. All of the photos are full color, and come from all of the standard public-domain sources. Joe Nick Patoski's Selena: Como la Flor (Boulevard, 1997) is the definitive biography, and is accessible to the same audience as Jones's book. Anne E. Hill's Cameron Diaz (Chelsea, 1999) offers much of the same information.

Tim Wadham, Maricopa County Library District, Phoenix, AZ

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Library Binding: 48 pages
• Publisher: Chelsea House Publications (February 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0791052303
• ISBN-13: 978-0791052303
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,439,932 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Veda Boyd Jones is the author of 42 books with traditional publishers, some for adult markets, most for children. Publishers include Scholastic, Barbour, McGraw-Hill, Lerner, Lucent, Chelsea House, Wendy Pye, Avalon, and Seedling. In addition,she's had over 500 short stories or articles published in magazines (Woman's World, The Writer, Harris' Farmer's Almanac, Highlights, Cricket, Humpty Dumpty and many others). Now she's ventured into the e-world with Joe's Ghost on Kindle.

She says, "I am never bored when waiting in a doctor's or dentist's office, since I just turn on my imagination and invent characters to go along with the people sitting in chairs around me. But that's when I'm thinking of fiction.
I write a good deal of nonfiction for children. This is an entirely different way of writing. Ninety percent of my time is spent researching and documenting facts. Kids believe what they see in print, and my job is to make sure it is accurate."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Selena - They Died Too Young, September 11, 2000

By 

Mrs. J. Watson (United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Selena (Tdty) (They Died Too Young) (Library Binding)

If you have no information on Selena then this book is a good starting point. This book is well presented with a beautiful front cover of Selena and many good colour photos inside. The chapters cover Selena's beginnings her road to success and and also gives an insight into her aspirations to become a fashion designer. Her relationship with Chris later to become her husband are touched upon as is the the hugely successful concert at the Alamodome in San Antonio a week before her death. The book features details about the search for an actress to play Selena in the film which eventually starred Jennifer Lopez. As much as I enjoyed the book and I think it is excellent value for money I wanted more information and more detail. 46 pages somehow doesn't do justice to the legacy that Selena left behind. If your daughter is doing a project on Selena at school as mine was then this is good source of reference.

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is so awesome, April 11, 2007

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Selena (Tdty) (They Died Too Young) (Library Binding)

I love reading Selena so much I would rather read a book about Selena than go to school.I think all ages should read this book.she was famous for her singing.I admire her so much.I love for you to read it and admire her as much as I do.