Top 10 Secrets for Creating and Sticking to a Budget Successfully

November 1, 2013

Gr 7-10-This series is aimed at helping teens learn how to manage their money. Unfortunately, the texts are not engaging and are, at times, repetitive across the six books. The staged photos add little to the information. Each book has an introduction, followed by 10 chapters, one for each of the "Top 10 Secrets" being discussed. The advice can be condescending and the points are obvious for the intended age group. For example, every volume has a page of questions to ask an expert or mentor. In Spending, one of the questions is "Can fewer expenses and more income help me reach my money goals?" The titles contain lists of places readers can go to for more information (complete with address, website, and brief descriptions), additional reading, and an extensive bibliography. Despite flaws, these books provide basic information.

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