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Who Was . . . ? Series
Who Was Alex Trebek?
Clue: A former journalist who became the beloved host of America's favorite game show and quiz competition. Answer: Who Was Alex Trebek?, the latest title in the #1 New York Times Best-Selling series.
Born in Ontario, Canada, in 1940, Alex Trebek grew up listening to the radio and hoping to one day become a broadcaster. His dream became a reality when he was hired as a reporter for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in 1961. Alex's composed nature and ability to skillfully improvise while on television eventually led to his role as the host of Jeopardy!, the biggest quiz game show in the United States.
Alex not only earned numerous awards over the course of his thirty-six-year-long hosting career, but he also earned the admiration of the contestants on the show and dedicated viewers watching at home.
Born in Ontario, Canada, in 1940, Alex Trebek grew up listening to the radio and hoping to one day become a broadcaster. His dream became a reality when he was hired as a reporter for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in 1961. Alex's composed nature and ability to skillfully improvise while on television eventually led to his role as the host of Jeopardy!, the biggest quiz game show in the United States.
Alex not only earned numerous awards over the course of his thirty-six-year-long hosting career, but he also earned the admiration of the contestants on the show and dedicated viewers watching at home.
112 pages, Paperback
First published December 6, 2022
18 people are currently reading
162 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
January 18, 2023
Very nice tribute to the legendary TV host Alex Trebek written in chapter book form for middle graders. I enjoyed the illustrations more than the text -the likenesses of former Jeopardy! contestants were really well done.
July 18, 2023
THIS IS JEOPARDY!
Some of my fondest childhood and teenage memories circle back to watching Jeopardy! with my mother. It’s something we’ve bonded over since I was elementary-school aged. It’s sparked some fun conversations over the years, particularly when one of us would surprise the other with the correct answer to a clue they didn’t expect the other to know.
Alex Trebek was a key factor to that bond. He made the show worth watching. He always seemed to be having as much fun as the contestants on the show with funny quippy comments between clues and encouragement to the players from the podium if they weren’t quite right. I believe he once made a statement along the lines of (and I’m paraphrasing), “I’m not the star of the show. [The contestants] are.”
I remember vividly the day Alex died. Many people remember the day that Elvis or Michael Jackson or Princess Diana passed away and the emotions those deaths - so far away but yet so close - produced. Alex Trebek was the first celebrity I felt emotionally attached to, even if it was just for a brief thirty-minute show a day, and his was the first celebrity death I ever cried over. He seemed like the kind of guy who would last forever, even though I knew he wouldn’t (except for Jeopardy! reruns on TV), especially after his cancer diagnosis.
All that to say, when I discovered there was a “Who Was…?” book about Alex, I knew I had to read it. The title was poignant to me in more than one way. The first being “Who WAS Alex Trebek?”, not “Who IS Alex Trebek?” The verb alone reminded me that Alex was gone, and a piece of my growing up years was also gone with it. The second was in the fact of the whole point of Jeopardy! being questions and answers, so in that way, the book itself was like an extended clue in and of itself.
Was this book geared toward children? Yes. But I enjoyed it much in the same way I would enjoy watching a classic episode of Jeopardy! I didn’t know much about Alex’s pre-Jeopardy! life and it was interesting to learn more on a child’s level. I think any kid interested in trivia or game shows would find this an interesting read. (It even referenced Alex’s love of musk oxen, a random factoid I remembered hearing him referencing on the show, which gave me a smile.)
So long!
Some of my fondest childhood and teenage memories circle back to watching Jeopardy! with my mother. It’s something we’ve bonded over since I was elementary-school aged. It’s sparked some fun conversations over the years, particularly when one of us would surprise the other with the correct answer to a clue they didn’t expect the other to know.
Alex Trebek was a key factor to that bond. He made the show worth watching. He always seemed to be having as much fun as the contestants on the show with funny quippy comments between clues and encouragement to the players from the podium if they weren’t quite right. I believe he once made a statement along the lines of (and I’m paraphrasing), “I’m not the star of the show. [The contestants] are.”
I remember vividly the day Alex died. Many people remember the day that Elvis or Michael Jackson or Princess Diana passed away and the emotions those deaths - so far away but yet so close - produced. Alex Trebek was the first celebrity I felt emotionally attached to, even if it was just for a brief thirty-minute show a day, and his was the first celebrity death I ever cried over. He seemed like the kind of guy who would last forever, even though I knew he wouldn’t (except for Jeopardy! reruns on TV), especially after his cancer diagnosis.
All that to say, when I discovered there was a “Who Was…?” book about Alex, I knew I had to read it. The title was poignant to me in more than one way. The first being “Who WAS Alex Trebek?”, not “Who IS Alex Trebek?” The verb alone reminded me that Alex was gone, and a piece of my growing up years was also gone with it. The second was in the fact of the whole point of Jeopardy! being questions and answers, so in that way, the book itself was like an extended clue in and of itself.
Was this book geared toward children? Yes. But I enjoyed it much in the same way I would enjoy watching a classic episode of Jeopardy! I didn’t know much about Alex’s pre-Jeopardy! life and it was interesting to learn more on a child’s level. I think any kid interested in trivia or game shows would find this an interesting read. (It even referenced Alex’s love of musk oxen, a random factoid I remembered hearing him referencing on the show, which gave me a smile.)
So long!
December 2, 2024
I just love the Who HQ series! The authors, illustrators, and editors do such a fantastic job putting together biographies and mini-history lessons about so many people, events, and places in our world—and they create them at an accessible reading level. Yes, they are marketed to higher-elementary and middle grade audiences. But these are books that can be enjoyed by teens and adults as well.
I’ve watched Jeopardy! for years and years. First with my Mom, then with my husband. One of my favorite “water cooler work memories” is chatting with a colleague and friend about the previous evening’s episode, dissecting contestants, clues, and acknowledging pet peeves. {If the category is Initial Authors, do not say “Who is Milne.” That question should never have been accepted in that category! Only “Who is A.A. Milne?” should have been deemed correct.) Yes, I loved the trivia. But it was also Alex himself that made the show a nightly “must see.”
Of course, I was among the masses that mourned the passing of Alex Trebek. And, I imagine I am not alone now, when Johnny Gilbert says “And here is the host of Jeopardy!...Ken Jennings,” who keeps expecting him to say “Alex Trebek.” My heart still skips a beat knowing he is not walking out on the stage.
This edition to the Who HQ series is just fantastic. I learned a lot (the Final Jeopardy! theme has a title?!), I smiled, I laughed, and, yes, I shed some more tears. I miss this man who was a part of my Monday through Friday after-dinner life.
I’ve watched Jeopardy! for years and years. First with my Mom, then with my husband. One of my favorite “water cooler work memories” is chatting with a colleague and friend about the previous evening’s episode, dissecting contestants, clues, and acknowledging pet peeves. {If the category is Initial Authors, do not say “Who is Milne.” That question should never have been accepted in that category! Only “Who is A.A. Milne?” should have been deemed correct.) Yes, I loved the trivia. But it was also Alex himself that made the show a nightly “must see.”
Of course, I was among the masses that mourned the passing of Alex Trebek. And, I imagine I am not alone now, when Johnny Gilbert says “And here is the host of Jeopardy!...Ken Jennings,” who keeps expecting him to say “Alex Trebek.” My heart still skips a beat knowing he is not walking out on the stage.
This edition to the Who HQ series is just fantastic. I learned a lot (the Final Jeopardy! theme has a title?!), I smiled, I laughed, and, yes, I shed some more tears. I miss this man who was a part of my Monday through Friday after-dinner life.
“We’re trying to build a gentler, kinder society,” he said. “If we all pitch in just a little bit, we’re going to get there.” -- Alex Trebek
March 16, 2023
This, by far, has been my favorite book in the who was series. I enjoyed learning about Alex's life prior to becoming the host of Jeopardy. He was the very best fit for the job of hosing the show. He was well liked by all who were involved in Jeopardy. He helped out with several charities when not taping episodes. He started out by listening to the raido broadcasts as a young child and became one of the best known television hosts of his time. This is a worthwhile book to read.
January 30, 2023
The answer: He was a native of Canada. He was a well known game show host, a game show that won 25 emmys. He had a signature mustache. He was a father of two.
The question: Who was Alex the great? Which what this book was. If you are a fan of Jeopardy and a fan of the native from Canada, I suggest you read this book.
The question: Who was Alex the great? Which what this book was. If you are a fan of Jeopardy and a fan of the native from Canada, I suggest you read this book.
January 28, 2023
A wonderful tribute to Alex Trebek for young readers and not so young! Although the “Who was” series always titles their books this way, I think the title of the book is especially meaningful in light of his show. He loved answers in the form of a question.
April 15, 2023
I read this book to my 5th graders this week and they loved learning about Alex Trebek! I found the organization of the book a bit strange, but super accessible and informative to kids learning to read :) I love the who was/who is series!!
December 15, 2022
We still love u, Alex!!! 😢
December 30, 2022
Will always miss Alex Trebek
February 4, 2023
I liked everything about Alex's life and journey. Very well written
March 8, 2023
i cried at the end i mess him on the show
March 25, 2023
The Who Was...? series finally did a book about Alex Trebek.
What is "It's about time!" ?
What is "It's about time!" ?
April 11, 2023
good audiobook
April 11, 2023
great audiobook
April 22, 2023
Alex Trebek was a national treasure, and he will be missed.
August 8, 2023
Fun synopsis of the life of Trebek that is easy for kids to read.
March 23, 2024
I was so disappointed that it was never mentioned his years of hosting Classic Concentration.
May 18, 2024
Good book but not one mention of Classic Concentration he was host for 4 years then 3 years reruns.
November 15, 2024
This was better than the book he wrote.
January 7, 2024
Audiobook
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews