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  • Published: 3 June 2025
  • ISBN: 9781728275093
  • Imprint: Sourcebooks Explore
  • Format: Hardback
  • Pages: 128
  • RRP: $36.00

Fearless Firsts: Artists Who Changed Entertainment




An inspiring biography collection about more than 50 artists—both famous and unknown—who were the first to break barriers, rules, and records in the entertainment industry.

Celebrate 50+ artists who broke barriers, took risks, and changed the world of entertainment forever!

While these creatives came from different backgrounds and overcame unique struggles, they had one thing in common: they would not take "You can't" for an answer. With a don't-give-up attitude, these fearless firsts fought for what they believed in and created a better artistic world.

In this book, you'll read about very famous entertainers, like Taylor Swift and Oprah Winfrey. You'll also discover the first Asian American comic book writer and the first runway model in a wheelchair. You'll meet the world's first modern graffiti artist, the first Black man to host a TV series, and the first Indigenous American Oscar winner. Beyond individuals, you'll learn about important groups, like the East West Players and the Hamilton cast.

By the time you're done reading, whether you see yourself as an artist or not, you'll be inspired to stay optimistic, fight against injustice, and be fearless in whatever you set your mind to!

  • Published: 3 June 2025
  • ISBN: 9781728275093
  • Imprint: Sourcebooks Explore
  • Format: Hardback
  • Pages: 128
  • RRP: $36.00

About the author

James Buckley Jr.

James Buckley Jr. is one of the country’s most prolific writers of nonfiction for kids, with more than 200 titles to his name, including twenty in the New York Times bestselling Who Was…? biography series and nine books in the Show Me History graphic nonfiction series. James runs Shoreline Publishing Group, a leading producer of nonfiction kids’ books for national and school-library publishers. Shoreline has produced books about moviemaking, creating comic books, celebrity biographies, fashion design, and more. James lives in Santa Barbara, California, where he is the co-producer of the local production of Bloomsday, an annual salute to Irish author James Joyce.

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