Career books are evolving to reflect how students learn and how the job market is changing. For younger readers, new titles are moving beyond familiar roles like doctor, veterinarian, teacher, and farmer to introduce a wider variety of unique and emerging careers. These books use short bursts of text and abundant graphics that match the way kids read, making the content visually dynamic and accessible. For teens, career books are also highlighting less traditional paths while providing detailed, practical guidance on how to pursue them. While they still include color photos, these books prioritize meaningful content over visuals, offering more text-rich pages filled with concrete information. With these shifts, libraries have the opportunity to expand younger readers’ perspectives and provide teens with solid, updated career advice.

Elementary

Abdo, Kenny. Dirty Animal Jobs. ISBN 9781098288693.
––––. Dirty Community Jobs. ISBN 9781098288709.
––––. Dirty Health Care Jobs. ISBN 9781098288716.
––––. Dirty Hospitality Jobs. ISBN 9781098288723.
––––. Dirty Industrial Jobs. ISBN 9781098288730.
––––. Dirty True Crime Jobs. ISBN 9781098288747.
ea vol: 32p. (Dirty Work). ABDO/Fly! Jul. 2025. Tr $34.22.
K-Gr 2–Less glamorous jobs, within a certain category of employment, are highlighted in this early readers series. Each spread features a brief paragraph explaining what the worker does and why the job can be messy, paired with large, colorful action photos and bold background designs that make the presentation engaging. While the information is not in-depth enough for projects on a single career, these books help readers discover unique roles within each sector and broaden their understanding of different types of jobs. Each title includes a table of contents, a glossary, online resources, and an index. VERDICT This series is visually appealing and a worthwhile addition for collections seeking quick snapshots of different jobs.

Barnham, Kay. Working in Space. ISBN 9781978545571.
––––. Working Underwater. ISBN 9781978545601.
––––. Working with Animals. ISBN 9781978545632.
––––. Working with Food. ISBN 9781978545663.
––––. Working with Nature. ISBN 9781978545694.
––––. Working with Sports. ISBN 9781978545724.
––––. Working with Technology. ISBN 9781978545755.
––––. Working with Weather. ISBN 9781978545786.
ea vol: 32p. (Jump into Jobs). Enslow. Aug. 2025. Tr $26.93.
K-Gr 2–The books in this series follow Billie and his cat Mia as they dress up and imagine themselves meeting people in different professions. Eleven jobs from a single industry are presented in each title, with two pages devoted to describing what each worker does. The series stands out by featuring careers kids may not know about, such as space suit designers, biomedical engineers, and recycling technicians. The writing is simple, providing readers with just enough information to understand the basics of each job and spark interest in learning more. Fun, colorful cartoon illustrations show Billie and Mia interacting with professionals, and the text is well integrated with the graphics for an engaging look. A table of contents, a glossary, an index, and suggestions for further reading are included. VERDICT This is a great series for introducing children to unique and lesser-known jobs, making it a strong addition to career sections for young readers.

James, Ryan. Ambulances on the Job. ISBN 9781978573765.
––––. Bulldozers on the Job. ISBN 9781978573796.
––––. Excavators on the Job. ISBN 9781978573826.
––––. Fire Trucks on the Job. ISBN 9781978573857.
––––. Garbage Trucks on the Job. ISBN 9781978573888.
––––. Harvesters on the Job. ISBN 9781978573918.
––––. School Buses on the Job. ISBN 9781978573949.
––––. Tractors on the Job. ISBN 9781978573970.
ea vol: 24p. (Big Machines for Big Jobs). Rosen/Norwood House. Aug. 2025. Tr $25.27.
PreS-Gr 1–This series introduces young readers to big machines such as trucks and construction vehicles, focusing on the work the vehicles do rather than the people who operate them. Each spread contains a short block of text and a large photograph. Bolded words are defined in a glossary, though at times the sentence context may not provide enough support for young readers to fully grasp the meanings. The photographs are presented in true color rather than the bright, saturated tones often used in newer series, giving the books a more subdued look. Each title includes a table of contents, a glossary, thinking questions, an index, and an author bio section. While the content offers basic coverage of the topic, librarians may wish to explore alternatives that offer a livelier approach. VERDICT A useful series, though its text support and visual style may not be the strongest choice for engaging young readers.

Lake, Theia. Alligator Handler. ISBN 9781499452310.
––––. Antarctic Research Scientist. ISBN 9781499452280.
––––. Diver. ISBN 9781499452341.
––––. Lumberjack. ISBN 9781499452372.
––––. Miner. ISBN 9781499452402.
––––. Storm Chaser. ISBN 9781499452433.
ea vol: 24p. (Dangerous Work!). Rosen/PowerKids. Aug. 2025. Tr $25.27.
Gr 2-4–This series examines specific jobs, such as mining or Antarctic research, with a focus on the risks and hazards involved. Rather than detailing qualifications, daily tasks, or income, each title highlights dangers like black lung disease, cave collapses, or extreme weather conditions. Each spread includes a few paragraphs of information, an interesting fact in a text box, and one or two large color photos that visually support the text. Bold graphics, colorful backgrounds, and multiple text boxes create an appealing and engaging design. Each book also includes a table of contents, a glossary, additional resources, and an index. VERDICT These well-designed titles pair strong writing with accessible information, making them an appealing choice for readers curious about the dangers of particular jobs.

Pincus, Meeg. I Can Be a Book Author. ISBN 9781668963593.
––––. I Can Be a Copywriter. ISBN 9781668963616.
––––. I Can Be a Journalist. ISBN 9781668963623.
––––. I Can Be a Poet. ISBN 9781668963647.
––––. I Can Be a Script Writer. ISBN 9781668963609.
––––. I Can Be an Editor. ISBN 9781668963630.
ea vol: 24p. (I Can Be a Writer). Cherry Lake. Aug. 2025. Tr $32.07.
K-Gr 2–These inviting titles introduce young readers to a variety of jobs in the writing field. Each title focuses on a specific writing-related profession, describing the skills needed and the tasks involved. The books include questions that encourage children to think about whether their own interests match the career, which keeps the writing style engaging and interactive. and each volume features colorful photos, background colors, and eye-catching graphics. These books stand out because they highlight careers in writing that are not often covered in other career guides for young readers. VERDICT A great addition to library career sections for its unique focus and appealing design.

Reeves, Diane Lindsey. All About Career Clusters. ISBN 9781668963418.
––––. Build and Move. ISBN 9781668963425.
––––. Care for Communities. ISBN 9781668963432.
––––. Create and Experience. ISBN 9781668963449.
––––. Cultivate Resources. ISBN 9781668963456.
––––. Invest in the Future. ISBN 9781668963463.
ea vol: 24p. (Career-Ready Kids). Cherry Lake. Aug. 2025. Tr $32.07.
K-Gr 2–This series introduces career exploration through the National Career Clusters Network, with each book focusing on one cluster, such as Build and Move or Create and Experience. Each volume begins by asking if readers enjoy certain activities, then suggests the related cluster that may be a good fit. Several jobs within the cluster are listed with brief descriptions, but the coverage does not extend to detailed responsibilities or preparation beyond simple activities like crafts or building a birdhouse. Strong visuals include colorful backgrounds, large photos, and informative text boxes. Added features include a table of contents, a diagram of professions, activities, a glossary, further resources, and an index. VERDICT With good graphics and visual appeal, this series serves as a brief introduction to types of jobs rather than a source for deep understanding.

Singer, Warren. Farm Animals. ISBN 9781978545991.
––––. Farm Machines. ISBN 9781978546080.
––––. From Farm to Table. ISBN 9781978546028.
––––. Kids on Farms. ISBN 9781978546059.
ea vol: 32p. (On the Farm). Enslow. Aug. 2025. Tr $26.93.
K-Gr 2–Designed for early elementary readers, this series explores the world of farming. Each book focuses on topics such as farm animals, machines, and jobs on the farm, giving children a broad view of operations. The information is presented in short paragraphs or single-sentence text boxes, making it accessible to beginning readers. Photographs and colorful illustrations appear on nearly every page, adding interest and helping explain the content. Readers will learn how farmers care for animals, use machines to grow crops, and complete the many tasks needed to run a farm. The writing is clear and informative without being overwhelming, and the layout is designed to hold young readers’ attention. Each title includes a table of contents, a glossary, and an index to support learning and navigation. VERDICT This series is a solid choice for school and public libraries looking to add appealing books about farms and farmers for young readers.

Upper Middle School to High School

Bithell, Rachel. A Career in Illustration. ISBN 9798892605045.
Coffelt, Nancy. A Career in Architectural Design. ISBN 9798892604994.
––––. A Career in Fashion Design. ISBN 9798892605007.
––––. A Career in Film and Video. ISBN 9798892605014.
Fields, Janis. A Career in Graphic Design. ISBN 9798892605038.
Fredeen, Kerry Kelaher. A Career in Animation. ISBN 9798892604987.
Helt, Juliana. A Career in Cartooning. ISBN 9798892605021.
Orr, Tamra. A Career in Photography. ISBN 9798892605052.
ea vol: 48p. (Art and Design Careers). Mitchell Lane. Aug. 2025. Tr $40.
Gr 7-10–This series introduces readers to a variety of creative careers, showing what each profession involves and how to get started. Each book begins with a short fictional story in which a character is unexpectedly introduced to the featured career, offering a relatable entry point for readers. The narrative then shifts to explain what professionals in the field do, highlighting real-life examples, well-known figures, and notable designs. These references make the content more engaging and help readers connect the profession to people or work they may recognize. The books also outline steps for pursuing the career, including relevant schooling, internships, and specific programs or institutions to explore. The writing is clear and engaging, and the graphics include backgrounds with overlapping splashes of color, abundant photos, and color accents. VERDICT These titles are good introductions to creative careers and suitable for collections needing resources on this topic.

Bolte, Mari & Sherry Howard. Exploring Gaming Industry Careers. ISBN 9798765644195.
Howard, Sherry. Exploring Environmental Sciences Careers. ISBN 9798765644188.
Morkes, Andrew. Exploring Engineering Careers. ISBN 9798765644171.
Robison, Greg. Exploring Building Trade Careers. ISBN 9798765644164.
ea vol: 64p. (Career Quest). Lerner/Twenty-First Century. Aug. 2025. Tr $35.99.
Gr 9 Up–This career series is designed for high school students who are serious about researching future paths. Each book provides details about what workers do, along with salary ranges, job outlooks, and concrete steps for getting started in high school and college through camps, internships, and other opportunities. Unlike many resources, these volumes name specific programs and internships available across the country, giving readers practical ways to take action. The information is detailed and comprehensive, offering motivated students a wealth of knowledge to guide their planning. The writing is presented in full-page paragraphs supported by color photographs, while side notes highlight key facts and help break up the text. While the background graphics are adequate, the substance is what makes these books exceptional. VERDICT Highly recommended for libraries serving high-achieving students seeking in-depth career guidance.

Crooks-Johnson, Jenny. 10 Ways to Use a College Degree in Finance. ISBN 9798892606998.
Edwards, Sue Bradford. 10 Ways to Use a College Degree in Computer Science. ISBN 9798892606967.
Henzel, Cynthia Kennedy. 10 Ways to Use a College Degree in Criminal Justice. ISBN 9798892606974.
––––. 10 Ways to Use a College Degree in Political Science. ISBN 9798892607001.
Hubbard, Martha. 10 Ways to Use a College Degree in Business. ISBN 9798892606950.
––––. 10 Ways to Use a College Degree in Education. ISBN 9798892606981.
ea vol: 80p. (10 Ways to Use a College Degree). Mitchell Lane. Aug. 2025. Tr $42.85.
Gr 9 Up–Each book in this series focuses on a single college major and introduces a variety of professions within that field. The text clearly explains what people in these jobs do and the settings where they may work. The writing is clear and thorough, presented in longer paragraphs that provide detailed explanations rather than quick, dynamic facts. A standout feature is the inclusion of profiles of notable figures in each profession that trace their majors and career paths. Color photographs show professionals at work, while the overall graphic design supports the text rather than serving as an attention-grabbing element. VERDICT A practical and informative series that will guide students in exploring both college majors and future careers.

Small, Cathleen. Auto Mechanic. ISBN 9781917187305.
––––. Carpenter. ISBN 9781917187336.
––––. Chef. ISBN 9781917187367.
––––. Cosmetologist. ISBN 9781917187398.
––––. Electrician. ISBN 9781917187428.
––––. Plumber. ISBN 9781917187459.
ea vol: 64p. (Practical Careers for Practical People). Cheriton. Aug. 2025. Tr $34.65.
Gr 9 Up–This series explores skilled trades such as electrician, plumber, chef, carpenter, cosmetologist, and auto mechanic. Each volume covers the training required, personal skills, job environment, factors to consider when choosing the field, salary expectations, and future job outlook. The writing is engaging and includes exciting aspects of the work, along with personal stories of individuals who have found success in these careers. Though the pages contain a lot of text, the style keeps readers interested. Background colors, action photos of workers, and clear organization add visual appeal. VERDICT This is a strong resource for high school students exploring non-college career paths and is recommended for school and public library collections.

This season’s career series reflect the shift toward presenting a wider range of professions with formats suited to different age levels. For high school readers, “Career Quest” (Lerner) stands out for its comprehensive approach, pairing clear job overviews with concrete steps such as internships, camps, and associations, plus salary data and job outlooks. “Practical Careers for Practical People” (Cheriton) also excels, introducing high-demand technical fields while helping students assess their skills, explore training paths, and build practical life skills, all presented with colorful graphics and text boxes. For younger readers, “I Can Be a Writer” (Cherry Lake) encourages children to see how their personal interests can grow into future writing careers, while “Jump Into Jobs” (Enslow) uses playful storytelling, varied job examples, and vibrant illustrations to spark curiosity. All of the series are worthwhile additions where there is a need, though these four stand out as especially strong choices.

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