June 1, 2011
Gr 4-8-These titles focus on careers that are expected to grow over the next decade and do not require a college degree. The books begin with a personal story of a teen and then segue into the occupation highlighted. They cover the necessary training and skills for the job (and options for obtaining them), a typical day, salary expectations, and well-known professionals in the field. The texts are accessible and clearly written. The authors write from an insider's point of view so that readers feel as if they are learning about the career from someone with firsthand knowledge. The volumes all have a generous number of clear color photographs that depict people at work. Unfortunately, in Chef, the pronoun "he" is used exclusively; in Plumber, none of the photos shows workers wearing safety goggles, even when using a blow torch. Quibbles aside, these are great tools for students who are just beginning to think about careers and are unsure about whether they want a job that requires a four-year college degree or not.-Wendy Woodfill, Hennepin County Library, Minnetonka, MN
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