Janis Joplin: Rise up Singing

 Angel, Ann. Janis Joplin: Rise Up Singing. Amulet Books, 2010. 120 pages, $19.95 ISBN: 9780810983496 (trade)

Plot Summary:

One of the first female rock stars Janis Joplin has become an icon of the 60’s and the psychedelic rock movement.  Joplin was born in the small Texas town of Port Arthur.  Joplin was insecure in her appearance growing up and would continue to be insecure about her looks into adulthood.  She found an outlet in art and music.  She craved attention and the electric energy that came from performing in front of a live audience.  Joplin’s fans loved her for her wild and free antics on stages, but Joplin felt she could not be her stage persona without the heavy use of drugs and alcohol and sadly that is what led to her death.  At the age of 27 on October 4, 1970 Joplin died of an accidental overdose of heroin and alcohol. 

Critical Review:

Joplin died tragically and too young, like so many talented musicians of her generation.  Even though she was only 27 when she died of an accidental overdose, Joplin inspired at generation and continues to inspire female musicians today, such as Lady Gaga and Pink.  The layout of the books features bright and colorful border evocative of the psychedelic sound Joplin was trying to achieve.  Angel includes several photographs with her beautiful and unflinching biography which really brings Joplin’s story to life.

Genre:

Nonfiction-biography

Interest Level:

Grades 10 and up

Similar Books:

John Lennon Elizabeth Partridge 

The Voice that Changed a Nation Russell Freedman

Subjects/Themes:

Janis Jopline

Music

1960’s

Psychedelic rock music

Drug use

Awards/Honors:

Booklist Top Ten Art Books for Youth 2011

Booklist Top Ten Biographies for Youth 2011

YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults 2011

Author’s Website:

http://www.annangelwriter.com/

Annotation:

Janis Joplin: Rise up Singing is an uncensored look at the tragically short life of one of the first and most influential female rock stars.

Book Talking Ideas:

Janis Joplin: Rise up Singing is an intimate portrait of an extremely talented and insecure young woman.  Joplin became the inspiration for generations of women in music, including some of today’s hottest stars like Lady Gaga.  Like Gaga, Joplin had larger than life stage persona and a numerous of loyal fans.

Why I chose to include this book:

I included Janis Joplin because it is a captivating biography of a pioneering musician.