Readers discover the incredible story behind Darren Criss's meteoric rise to fame with this high-interest topic. The multitalented musician and actor is most famous for his role as Blaine Anderson on the hit television show Glee, but this book reveals that there is much more to Darren Criss's story than just his television career. Readers explore his roles on stage and screen in addition to his work as a singer and songwriter. Accessible text, bright photographs, and a detailed timeline of his life and career keep readers of all ages entertained as they learn fun facts about this up-and-coming star. Book review: Darren Criss"If you've got a student reading below middle-grade level who enjoys superstar profiles, the Rising Stars series presents a solid, if surface, glance at performers who might hold reader interest long enough to channel that interest into deeper works. The tall trim emulates a magazine, and the format is simple: two or three short sentences on the left, typically about career beginnings, highlights, and awards, and a full-page photo on the right, mostly captured at red-carpet or onstage venues. When other stars appear in the shots, they are usually-though, frustratingly, not always-identified with a bubble caption. Born in 1987, Darren Criss is the old man of this group, parlaying YouTube stardom into a fan-favorite role on Glee. Pics showcase various smiles, suits, and degrees of sweatiness. Light on substance? Sure. But books like these serve a purpose in any library, and the multicultural subjects showcased here will add to the series' appeal."-Daniel Kraus, Booklist
