Introduce your children or students to the famous singer, Selena Quintanilla Pérez, with this printable one-page reading passage and comprehension questions.
And if you're looking for more information and ideas to use with your students, check on my post, Resources for Celebrating Selena Day.
Who was Selena?
Selena Quintanilla Pérez was an American singer, songwriter, actress, and fashion designer.She was born on April 16, 1971, in Lake Jackson, Texas. Selena came from a family of musicians and she began performing with her family's band, Selena y Los Dinos, when she was only 8 years old. As she grew up, she became the lead vocalist of the group and helped to popularize Tejano music, a genre that blends traditional Mexican folk music with country and rock music.
In the early 1990s, Selena began to achieve mainstream success with the release of her album "Entre a Mi Mundo" and her collaboration with fashion designer, Martin Gomez, on a clothing line. She continued to release successful albums, including "Dreaming of You," which was released after she died.
Sadly, when she was only 23 years old, Selena was shot and killed by her former fan club president, Yolanda Saldívar. Her death was widely mourned, and she remains an icon of Latin music and fashion.
If you haven't seen it, Selena's life and career were later the subject of a biopic film, "Selena" (1997), starring Jennifer Lopez in the title role.
What is Selena Day?
Back in 1995, while fans all over the US, Mexico, and throughout Latin America were still grieving the death of their beloved star, George W. Bush (who was at the time the governor of Texas) declared that April 16th, Selena’s birthday, would be an official Texas holiday.
One of Selena's greatest achievements was breaking barriers in the music industry. As a Latina woman, she faced many challenges, but she never gave up on her dreams. She showed that with hard work and determination, anything is possible.
In honor of Selena's legacy, many people celebrate her life and music every year on April 16th. This day is known as Selena Day, and it's a time to remember her and all the joy she brought to the world.
Selena One-Page Reading Passage
This year, in honor of the rock star, I've put together a one-page reading passage that shares Selena's life story.
Geared for children in 4th grade and up, this file also comes with reading comprehension questions. The 8-question quiz also comes with a separate answer key.
AND it is available in English and Spanish (as always)!