Grow Up. Get a Job. is a 62-page career exploration workbook filled with activities and exercises. No additional textbook is published to accompany it. Because the workbook requires the student to research colleges and careers, access to the Internet or library resources would be needed to complete the activities.

According to the publishers, this workbook supports the American School Counselor Association's National Standards for Career Development, the National Council of Teachers of English's Standards for the English Language Arts, and the National Career Development Guidelines Framework. The cover states that it is "adaptable for various ages & skill levels." It includes a story called "Sophie & Her Fairy Godmentor," which seems directed toward an older elementary or middle school age group. Yet it also mentions types of workplace harassment that would not be appropriate in an elementary curriculum.

The book provides a good framework for discussing the many career opportunities available. But the student must research the opportunities and career requirements independently. Directions might say something like "Pick three jobs that interest you and research them." Much guidance will be needed from the parent to direct the average student in completing the activities here. Although the student is asked to answer questions about interests and abilities, the exercises do not provide recommendations, as an interest inventory would do. The student must reach his own conclusions about what jobs he might enjoy and be able to do.

Parents looking for a complete career exploration resource may be disappointed at the lack of guidance in this workbook. But parents who want a starting point, allowing the student plenty of latitude to explore on his own, may appreciate the open-ended activities in Grow Up. Get A Job.

Product review by: Cari Young, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, October 2008