Justin Bieber: First Step 2 Forever: My Story

by Justin Bieber

Overview

"It's a big, big world It's easy to get lost in it..."

—Justin Bieber, "Up"

I love those lines in the lyrics. Sometimes I feel like that's what everyone's expecting. My world got very big, very fast, and a lot of people expect me to get lost in it. I grew up in a small town in Canada. I taught myself to sing in front of my bedroom mirror and to play guitar on a hand-me-down. My mom posted my first videos on YouTube. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that I'd sell millions of records, sing for the president of the United States and sell out a massive arena tour. So no, I'm not lost. Not at all. If anything, onstage in front of my fans, I'm home. I'm found. And that's what this book is about: my journey, from singing and busking on the sidewalk in Stratford, Ontario, to performing and showing my appreciation to millions of fans all over the world for making this dream a reality.

My music and lyrics give a glimpse of what's in my heart, but I think this book is a window into my world. In here are hundreds of pictures of me that no one's ever seen before, and I'll tell you about who I was before I joined forces with Scooter Braun and Usher and got a record deal, and who I've become since I've been blessed with the opportunity to share my music with the world. This is my gift to you, the fans who've supported and been with me on this amazing journey every step of the way.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062039743
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date:	10/12/2010
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	7.50(w) x 9.90(h) x 1.00(d)
Age Range:	6 - 12 Years

About the Author

Born in Stratford, Ontario, Justin Bieber is a multi-talented pop/soul singer and a self-taught musician. After spotting his performances on YouTube, music manager Scooter Braun introduced Justin to the music industry and later joined forces with superstar Usher to sign thirteen-year-old Justin to a record deal with Island Def Jam Music Group.

His first album, My World, was certified platinum within three months of its release and went on to be the first debut album ever to have seven songs chart on the Billboard Top 100. His latest album, My World 2.0, debuted at #1 on the charts and has gone on to sell more than five million copies worldwide and still counting.

This #1 debut made Justin the youngest male solo artist to top the Billboard chart since Stevie Wonder in 1963.

Editorial Reviews

Billed as "100% Official," this very generously illustrated autobiography chronicles the early years and dizzying success of this teen-pop hearthrob in his own words and pictures. The staggering dimensions of his story should silence any skepticism about the worth of any autobiography of a 16-year-old: Since being discovered just three years ago, this small-town Ontario boy has gone platinum with his first album; drawn more than 70 million YouTube hits and four million Twitter followers; and caused crowd scenes and near riots on his World Tour. Sometimes just too cute for words.

Bieber, the platinum-selling singer/songwriter with the hair that launched a thousand trips to the salon, debuts with an account of his 16-year-old life that’s cheeky yet entirely in line with his safe and wholesome image. Published while Bieber is headlining a major North American tour, the book covers his upbringing in Ontario, his early introduction to music, YouTube stardom, his love of pranks, and the stratospheric success he now enjoys--all interspersed with lyrics, tweets, and numerous full-bleed photographs of Bieber in all his brown-eyed glory. Although Bieber’s insights, as he gives props to his family, God, and Usher, are wholly conventional, there’s no reason to think that the faithful won’t eat up every behind-the-scenes tidbit and his message to “Get out of your comfort zone and go for it.” Ages 6–12. (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly

This glossy, photo-filled autobiography tells the story of Canadian-born Justin Bieber in his own words. Starting with his birth to soon-separated teen parents, his early days with his grandparents, his fascination with musical instruments—his first was the drum—and his eventual discovery on YouTube to his current superstar status, we witness the making and marketing of a teenaged phenomenon. Entirely positive, even when describing traumatic situations, Bieber begins by thanking his female fans and continues to thank everyone responsible for his success: agent Scooter Braun, sponsor Jermaine Dupri, and a host of others who book, program, transport, set up, and arrange his shows and recordings. Most of all, Bieber expresses his love for and special connection to all of "my favorite girls," for whom he wrote this book. Although Justin Bieber: First Step 2 Forever is a flagrant marketing tool, it is well designed for its target audience and will certainly appeal to Bieber's large, devoted fan base. No expense was spared on its heavy, colorful pages, large, well-defined print, and exceptional photos (all of Bieber) that occupy half the book. According to the cover, lucky retail purchasers will also receive a free poster. How can any girl resist? Reviewer: Laura Woodruff

VOYA - Laura Woodruff

Pop/soul singer Justin Bieber said about his autobiography, "This is my gift to you, the fans who've supported and been with me on this amazing journey every step of the way." Bieber's amazing journey began when he was discovered on YouTube by music manager Scooter Braun, followed later as his debut album with seven songs made the Billboard Top 100 chart. At the time Bieber wrote this book, he had just released an album which was at the top of the Billboard chart, making him the youngest male solo artist to do this since Stevie Wonder. Bieber gave the book the description: "a window into my world," and the book is definitely a portal to Bieber's world with hundreds of photos as well as a poster. The text is comprised of seven chapters, taking the reader along on Bieber's journey and ending with a "thank you" epilogue. Throughout the book, Bieber has sprinkled many of his thoughts and philosophies, such as: "Every one of you is ?My Favorite Girl' for a different reason, because each of you is special in your own way." He ended the book with a quote: "I hope you'll believe dreams really can come true..." Reviewer: Lynn O'Connell

Children's Literature - Lynn O'Connell

Gr 4–10—Interspersed with tweets, headline-sized quotes, and graphic, two-page chapter openings, this book has full-color slickness and loads of hype. Only 18 spreads in the entire book don't feature photos of the star. Divided into seven chapters, the text covers the show Bieber was working on while the book was written, his musical background, his family and hometown, how his music videos on YouTube created his fan base, getting a manager, and becoming a star. Within that outline, he attempts to give a sense of himself, as a regular kid who likes to play jokes, loves his family and friends, and is grateful for his success and his fans. For the boy who received a Range Rover for his 16th birthday, his tantrum in the rain after failing to pass his driver's test is rather entertaining. While this book will be popular only as long as Bieber maintains his popularity, it's likely to be worn out before fans are finished with this artist. Keeping the jacket poster will be a challenge, but the book cover displays the same image.—Janet S. Thompson, Chicago Public Library

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