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

Reviewed by Vicki Reutter, Cazenovia High School, Cazenovia, NY -- School Library Journal, 11/1/2008

Also in this article: The Bottom Line

Introducing students to the world of work often consists of occupation awareness at the primary level, career exploration in middle grades, and professional preparation in high school. Once a dangled carrot to motivate primarily college-bound students, career education is appropriately reaching out to students of all capabilities. The impact of these programs can be increased by resources that use language reflected in educational standards, such as career clusters, real-world opportunities, technical skills, nontraditional careers, ethical and legal responsibilities, interpersonal skills, and more. The following series share in their intent to help students shape their own futures.

BAILEY, Diane. Brain Surgeons illus. ISBN 978-1-4042-1787-4. LC 2007042999.
BREZINA, Corona. Treasure Hunters reprods. ISBN 978-1-4042-1788-1. LC 2008010298.
LA BELLA, Laura. Search and Rescue Swimmers ISBN 978-1-4042-1786-7. LC 2007047306.
ORR, Tamra. Manga Artists charts. illus. reprods. ISBN 978-1-4042-1854-3. LC 2007050666.
WOLNY, Philip. High-Risk Construction Work: Life Building Skyscrapers, Bridges, and Tunnels reprods. ISBN 978-1-4042-1789-8. LC 2007042996. ea vol: 64p. (Extreme Careers Series). photos. bibliog. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Rosen Central Nov. 2008. PLB $21.95.

Gr 5-8–Piquing the innate curiosity of middle schoolers with jobs that offer some degree of risk or, in the case of Manga Artists, pop-culture excitement, this set is brimming with reluctant-reader appeal. It picks up where “Cool Careers: Helping Careers” leaves off for elementary grades, and similarities to that series include vivid photography, a focus on technology, and examples of newsworthy professions. Accessible narration integrates training, personal skills, and salary information, such as in Brain Surgeons, where it is noted that, “…hefty salaries are a great perk,” qualified, shortly after, by the statement, “If money is someone’s goal, there are easier ways to make it.”

BLACKWELL, Amy Hackney. Personal Care Services, Fitness, and Education 114p. ISBN 978-0-8160-7045-9.
COHN, Jessica. Manufacturing and Transportation 127p. ISBN 978-0-8160-7050-3.
KIRK, Amanda. Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resources 98p. . ISBN 978-0-8160-7046-6.
MONDSCHEIN, Kenneth C. Communications, the Arts, and Computers 114p. ISBN 978-0-8160-7044-2.
MONDSCHEIN, Kenneth C.. Construction and Trades 116p. ISBN 978-0-8160-7043-5.
PORTERFIELD, Deborah. Health Care, Medicine, and Science 115p. ISBN 978-0-8160-7047-3.
RILEY, Rowan. Hospitality, Human Services, and Tourism 93p. illus. reprods. ISBN 978-0-8160-7048-0.
STERNGASS, Jon. Armed Forces 115p. charts. illus. ISBN 978-0-8160-7042-8.
STERNGASS, Jon. Public Safety, Law, and Security 94p. ISBN 978-0-8160-7049-7.
STINSON, Paul. Sales, Marketing, Business, and Finance 110p. ISBN 978-0-8160-7051-0. ea vol: (Great Careers with a High School Diploma Series). photos. appendix. index. Web sites. CIP. Ferguson. Nov. 2008. Tr $32.95. LC 2007029883.

Gr 9 Up-For students without the resources to attend college or who value hands-on experience over classroom learning, this series describes vocation paths requiring only a high school diploma or GED equivalent, although many, such as firefighter and fitness instructor, involve specialized training and certification. Each title features approximately 12 occupations, including less-commonly covered jobs such as tattoo artist, butcher, and bar bouncer. Outlined in teen-speak, such as “Let’s Talk Money,” “How to Talk Like a Pro,” and “Reality Check,” the content is bulleted and spaced, and uses spare narration with a practical, “you can do this!” approach that teens will find motivating.

CUNNINGHAM, Kevin. Nurse ISBN 978-1-60279-299-9. LC 2008006522.
CUNNINGHAM, Kevin. Teacher ISBN 978-1-60279-298-2. LC 2008010653.
CUNNINGHAM, Kevin. Video Game Designer ISBN 978-1-60279-305-7. LC 2008006519.
KUMMER, Patricia K. Athletic Trainer ISBN 978-1-60279-303-3. LC 2008010475.
KUMMER, Patricia K.. Sports Medicine Doctor ISBN 978-1-60279-302-6. LC 2008011626.
PRENTZAS, G. S. FBI Special Agent ISBN 978-1-60279-304-0. LC 2008011628.
SOMERVILL, Barbara A. Wildlife Photographer ISBN 978-1-60279-300-2. LC 2008013722. ea vol: 32p. (Cool Careers: 21st Century Skills Library Series). photos. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Cherry Lake 2008. PLB $27.07.

Gr 4-7-Hooking readers with a job scenario, these conversational narratives then flow into historical perspectives, adding illustrations of early pioneers. Chapters cover typical career-education content such as what happens at work, what it takes to do the job, and what the future holds. Color-blocked vocabulary is integrated into the text and defined in a glossary. Sidebar information is labeled as “Learning & Innovation Skills,” which often poses critical-thinking questions, or “Life & Career Skills,” which features, for example, a short inspirational biography. This series is more of a cover-to-cover read than the others reviewed here, requiring fact finders to consult the index for information such as salary.

HORN, Geoffrey M. Construction Worker illus. ISBN 978-0-8368-9192-8; ISBN 978-0-8368-9325-0. LC 2008012083.
HORN, Geoffrey M.. FBI Agent chart. ISBN 978-0-8368-9193-5; ISBN 978-0-8368-9326-7. LC 2008010380.
HORN, Geoffrey M.. Meteorologist illus. maps. ISBN 978-0-8368-9194-2; ISBN 978-0-8368-9327-4. LC 2008005653.
HORN, Geoffrey M.. Sports Therapist ISBN 978-0-8368-9196-6; ISBN 978-0-8368-9329-8. LC 2008014768.
THOMAS, William David. Mountain Rescuer ISBN 978-0-8368-9195-9; ISBN 978-0-8368-9328-1. LC 2008005651.
THOMAS, William David. Veterinarian ISBN 978-0-8368-9197-3; ISBN 978-0-8368-9330-4. LC 2008010379. ea vol: 32p. (Cool Careers: Helping Careers Series). photos. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Gareth Stevens 2008. PLB $24; pap. $8.95.

Gr 3-5-Descriptive, colorful, and current, this series will spark the interest of elementary readers just beginning their occupation awareness. Highlighting adventurous as well as routine aspects, each title also integrates the latest technology used on the job, basic vocabulary (in boldface), “Is this career right for you?” questions, and brief “real person” interviews. Students will enjoy the plentiful and sharp photos, such as those of Yao Ming and Michael Phelps in Sports Therapist, wild weather in Meteorologist, and adorable animals in Veterinarian. A “Fact File” for salary, outlook, and training information gives a helpful “quick look” at each field.

The Bottom Line
“Cool Careers: Helping Careers” and “Extreme Careers” are so eye-catching that there is no question about their value as reading motivators at their respective levels. Both integrate facts and vocabulary in a lively writing style with plenty of interesting asides. “Cool Careers: 21st Century Skills Library” is more structured and aligned to educational initiatives for middle grades than “Extreme Careers,” and it is better for report writing, yet it doesn’t sacrifice accessibility. High school collections should consider “Great Careers with a High School Diploma” for its inclusion of everyday occupations such as cable installer and groundskeeper.

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

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