When I Grow Up: Series Nonfiction on Careers (K-Gr 5)

In many elementary schools, an annual career day is part of the curriculum, as is a unit on what makes a community, how it functions, and who contributes to it. The "Our Community" and "People in the Community" series describe vocational information and also highlight the social role each worker plays. A wide variety of careers is featured–from manual to highly skilled–and the books are written at a range of reading levels. The volumes all present a variety of races, ages, and genders in the photographs.

K-Gr 2-Basic data about community places and faces is provided in chatty and somewhat randomly organized volumes that occasionally veer off into opinion (“Everyone likes to do things easily”) rather than fact. When complex concepts such as interest (Bank) and local government (Mayor’s Office) are tackled, explanations become oversimplified and/or abstract (for example, interest is defined as “the cost of borrowing money”). A concise definition of community that appears on the first page of Police Station is not repeated elsewhere in the series. Bright colors, sharp photos (one per page), and lots of white space surround a cheerful but erratically sized typeface. The “People in the Community” series, which includes some of the same careers, is a better choice.

PreS-Gr 1–Careers readily recognizable to many preschoolers are described in simple language (approximately 80 words per volume) printed in large, clear type and complemented by one color photo per page. The well-organized contents describe activities and tools, where the work takes place, and how others may help out or benefit. Illustrations have a real international flavor (for example, vets are shown working with farm animals in Lebanon as well as an elephant in China; teachers are depicted with students in Bangladesh as well as on Cape Cod). This refreshingly global span may require adult clarification, since, for example, police in Switzerland or Peru wear uniforms unfamiliar in the United States, and photo locales are mentioned only in the “note to parents and teachers” on the last page. Small weaknesses of note: words that appear in the picture glossary (each with a thumbnail photo alongside it) are not set in bold in the text, and the definition of community that appears on the opening pages is not as edifying as the one tucked away in the glossary.

Gr 2-3–These ambitious titles offer a wealth of material about the different careers that can be found under the umbrella of one workplace: Hospital, for example, covers doctors, nurses, physical therapists, chaplains, custodial and kitchen workers, accountants, and lawyers, with the latter being described in the most general of terms (“lawyers make sure the hospital follows all of its rules”). Each volume begins with a general description of the workplace, followed by details about workers and a final chapter recommending early steps readers can take to pursue one of these careers–those interested in becoming teachers can help friends with schoolwork, for example. Sidebars with headings such as Create! Think! and Ask Questions! encourage active learning and extend the ideas presented in the text. Colorful, clear photos on each page seem carelessly chosen (some fail to add information), and the books have several typos. Despite the chipper tone of the texts–there are lots of exclamation points!–readers may be overwhelmed.

Gr 3-5– The careers covered here hold a built-in fascination for many children, and these appealing titles will fan the flames. Each volume provides chapter spreads of detailed, well-organized facts placed opposite informative photos, many of which depict scientists working in the field. The scope is sometimes overambitious and begs for additional information: radar, for example, is not sufficiently explained, and a reference to global warming leading to “more strong storms” is confusing. Pages are chock-full of information, with additional related facts in “Did You Know?” side bubbles.

K-Gr 2-Basic data about community places and faces is provided in chatty and somewhat randomly organized volumes that occasionally veer off into opinion (“Everyone likes to do things easily”) rather than fact. When complex concepts such as interest (Bank) and local government (Mayor’s Office) are tackled, explanations become oversimplified and/or abstract (for example, interest is defined as “the cost of borrowing money”). A concise definition of community that appears on the first page of Police Station is not repeated elsewhere in the series. Bright colors, sharp photos (one per page), and lots of white space surround a cheerful but erratically sized typeface. The “People in the Community” series, which includes some of the same careers, is a better choice.

PreS-Gr 1–Careers readily recognizable to many preschoolers are described in simple language (approximately 80 words per volume) printed in large, clear type and complemented by one color photo per page. The well-organized contents describe activities and tools, where the work takes place, and how others may help out or benefit. Illustrations have a real international flavor (for example, vets are shown working with farm animals in Lebanon as well as an elephant in China; teachers are depicted with students in Bangladesh as well as on Cape Cod). This refreshingly global span may require adult clarification, since, for example, police in Switzerland or Peru wear uniforms unfamiliar in the United States, and photo locales are mentioned only in the “note to parents and teachers” on the last page. Small weaknesses of note: words that appear in the picture glossary (each with a thumbnail photo alongside it) are not set in bold in the text, and the definition of community that appears on the opening pages is not as edifying as the one tucked away in the glossary.

Gr 2-3–These ambitious titles offer a wealth of material about the different careers that can be found under the umbrella of one workplace: Hospital, for example, covers doctors, nurses, physical therapists, chaplains, custodial and kitchen workers, accountants, and lawyers, with the latter being described in the most general of terms (“lawyers make sure the hospital follows all of its rules”). Each volume begins with a general description of the workplace, followed by details about workers and a final chapter recommending early steps readers can take to pursue one of these careers–those interested in becoming teachers can help friends with schoolwork, for example. Sidebars with headings such as Create! Think! and Ask Questions! encourage active learning and extend the ideas presented in the text. Colorful, clear photos on each page seem carelessly chosen (some fail to add information), and the books have several typos. Despite the chipper tone of the texts–there are lots of exclamation points!–readers may be overwhelmed.

Gr 3-5– The careers covered here hold a built-in fascination for many children, and these appealing titles will fan the flames. Each volume provides chapter spreads of detailed, well-organized facts placed opposite informative photos, many of which depict scientists working in the field. The scope is sometimes overambitious and begs for additional information: radar, for example, is not sufficiently explained, and a reference to global warming leading to “more strong storms” is confusing. Pages are chock-full of information, with additional related facts in “Did You Know?” side bubbles.

Gr 1-2–Large font, simple texts, and candid photos combine to make this an attractive series. Each title contains four chapters of two-to-eight pages. Two-to-three sentences per page describe the purpose of each military branch (“The Navy is a branch of the United States Armed Forces”); some of the jobs involved (“Some sailors are navigators...Some sailors are mechanics”); and a selection of the weapons, ships, and land vehicles used. Content is limited, but clear, and vocabulary is appropriate. Unfamiliar words are defined in a glossary, but not noted or defined in the narrative. The texts are closely tied to the excellent color photography on the facing pages. These titles will be popular with young readers.–Eldon Younce, Harper Elementary School, KS

All of the titles reviewed here would be acceptable additions to community and career collections. However, libraries that have funds to buy complete series and are looking for new perspectives would do best to purchase “People in the Community” (notable for its global outlook) for the lower grades, and “Extreme Scientists,” a well-crafted standout with lots of kid appeal, for an older audience.

Life After High School: Series Nonfiction on Careers (Gr 5 & Up)