Choosing a Community Service Career

February 1, 2012

Gr 6-10-The first title is an accessible introduction to volunteering across the country and around the world. Young people share their experiences of how their desire to make changes, raise awareness of an issue, or save animals led to their involvement in various organizations. The book continues with an assessment readers can use to determine their interests and then provides information on various organizations that offer volunteering opportunities. A chapter on innovative ways to volunteer includes using technology to gain support for a cause. Back matter has lists of organizations with their addresses and websites. Community Service presents straightforward information about several careers, including police officer, EMT, firefighter, social worker, and funeral director. A day in the life of someone who has chosen a particular occupation emphasizes benefits as well as drawbacks. Educational requirements, personal attributes, salaries, and advancement opportunities are some of the topics presented. Readers will enjoy perusing these useful books, which have an appealing layout and full-color photos.-Denise Moore, O'Gorman Junior High School, Sioux Falls, SD

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2012
Grades 6-9 The bright, cheerful design of the Life: A How-to Guide series helps make it seem as if life skills are something to look forward to rather than suffer through. The tone is upbeat without being overly enthusiastic, and the advice offered is generally very sound. The format varies slightly with topics, but each book includes around eight chapters with text broken up courtesy of sidebar sections and well-chosen quotes. Bold, unevenly shaped boxes set off the illustrations nicely. Choosing a Community Service Career takes 10 public-service careers, such as EMTs, teachers, and funeral directors, and talks about what they do, what personal qualities (multitasking, etc.) they need, and, of course, salary. Each book includes notes, suggestions for further reading, websites, and an index.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2012
Each of eleven chapters gives an overview of a community-helper job (e.g., firefighter, social worker, librarian, etc.). Text covers a day in the life, rewards and drawbacks, advancement opportunities, salary, and reasons to do the jobs. Personal stories interspersed throughout add a human face but often sound canned; stock photos and illustrations are similarly hit-or-miss. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

(Copyright 2012 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)