Managing Money: Handbook

April 1, 2012

Gr 9 Up-This aptly named series is a goldmine of useful, practical information that older teens and young adults need to live productive and organized lives. Each title begins with an anecdotal introduction, e.g., Moving starts with Derek struggling to budget for rent for his first apartment. The volumes are then divided into sections and further divided into chapters. The chapters break down how to accomplish the section challenge, e.g., the "Preparing for Independence" section has chapters on "Knowledge and Skills Checklist" and "Budgeting Money." These step-by-step plans will allow teens to feel in control of making very large decisions. The books are cleanly designed and well organized, with full-color photographs scattered throughout. Checklists, examples, charts and graphs, and other practical illustrations help break up the text. A set of companion worktexts is available.

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2012
Grades 8-12 This entry in Saddleback's Life Skills Handbooks series is a keeper. With the text split into four main topicscontrolling your spending, banking basics, buying now and paying later, and improving your budgeting skillsyoung adults get a comprehensive look at the world of personal finance in digestible doses. When it comes to sticking to a budget, teens are encouraged to keep their needs and wants in sharp focus. There's even a chapter devoted to unexpected purchases and variable spending, two situations that can throw a wrench into the most carefully managed budgets. There are also helpful hints for paying those expenses without credit cards. Credit-card debt, loans, and spending more than one earns are issues that are addressed frankly, and readers are advised about avoiding the pitfalls, especially those who are first-time cardholders. Basic advice, such as how to write out a check and read a bank statement, is included. Resources and websites are liberally mentioned throughout the text, and back matter includes a glossary and an index.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)