Automotive Master Mechanic

Children's Literature

Immediately following the table of contents, a two-page spread entitled "Fast Facts" recaps the featured job. Information includes a salary range (figures are based on information from the late 1990s), educational requirements, certification or licensing, skills, job outlook and more. The text, while factually correct is pretty pedestrian. The sentence structure does not vary much and often begins with the job title. The pictures are frequently more interesting, as is the occasional comparative information between the United States and Canada in the career field. There is a mini glossary, a bibliography, lists of organizations and Internet sites and an index. Useful for elementary school and public libraries that need career information. 2000, Capstone, $21.26. Ages 8 to 10. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot

School Library Journal

Gr 4-9-These titles include facts about the careers, information about day-to-day responsibilities and activities, the abilities and interests needed, educational and training preparation required, and the outlook for the future. Related careers and specialties are mentioned. Average-quality, full-color photos of working men and women of different ages and backgrounds illustrate the volumes. While the content would be suitable for interested elementary students, the format of these books will appeal to older students reading below grade level. Unfortunately, the writing in all three is sometimes choppy, awkward, and dry. Bill Lund's Getting Ready for a Career in Computers (Capstone, 1995) and Betsy Imershein's Auto Mechanic (Messner, 1989; o.p.) cover similar ground for younger students while Lonny D. Garvey's Opportunities in the Machine Trades (VGM, 1994) will appeal to teens. Current information on these professions is needed, but these titles are not the answer.-Diane P. Tuccillo, Mesa Public Library, AZ Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.