Odd Jobs: The Wackiest Jobs You've Never Heard Of [Paperback]

Ellen Weiss (Author), Damon Ross (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-8-Weiss profiles 12 people with unusual occupations. There's a man in Florida whose business, called Pesky Critters, entails capturing wild animals running amok. One woman implodes buildings for a living, while another is an animal handler working with such creatures as scorpions and snakes. One man is a "professional scary guy" specializing in the macabre, and another is a roller-coaster designer. A comedy writer, a Muppet special-effects creator, a costume designer who works in feathers, a movie sound-effects producer, a food stylist, an odor judge, and a storm chaser are also included. The writing is upbeat and incorporates pertinent quotes and anecdotes. The layout and print are eye pleasing, with well-placed, full-color photos on nearly every spread. This is a delightful choice for those exploring unique career options or for those just looking for something different and fun to read.
Diane P. Tuccillo, Mesa Public Library, AZ
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: Aladdin (April 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689829345
• ISBN-13: 978-0689829345
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7.9 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #127,349 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Ellen Weiss has lost count of how many kids' books she's written, that's how long she's been doing it. There are probably over 200, from board books to chapter books to middle-grade novels, fiction and nonfiction, silly and serious. They have won many awards, and have been adapted into a Disney TV movie and a BBC radio play. Two of them, THE TAMING OF LOLA and PORKY AND BESS, were named Bank Street Best Books of 2010. She loves to collaborate, and she often writes with her husband, Mel Friedman. She also loves to rescue stray dogs, but she had to stop when the aforementioned Mel Friedman told her he would divorce her if she brought home one more filthy, un-housebroken, weird mutt.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow...I can be ANYTHING I want to be!, June 29, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Odd Jobs: The Wackiest Jobs You've Never Heard Of (Paperback)

I shared this book with a group of ten and eleven years olds and they were entralled. Their imaginations went wild. No longer did they want to be firefighters and rock stars just because that's what their friends wanted to be...suddenly there was a whole new world of jobs open to them. This is a wonderful book...well written, funny, informative, and filled with all kinds of great stuff that kids will love. I can't recommend it highly enough.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I wish I'd had a book like this when I was a kid!, July 3, 2000

By 

"panayiotis" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Odd Jobs: The Wackiest Jobs You've Never Heard Of (Paperback)

Delightful and original. Ellen Weiss explodes the idea that a "job" need be drudgery or obligatory. By interviewing people in unusual jobs who love their work, she shows kids that imagination and love count when thinking about a career. Her enthusiasm, amusement, and affection for her subjects make the book fun and swiftly readable. I bought this for my 9-year-old, but my 12-year-old gobbled it up, too, and read it in one sitting, laughing all the way. The author's choice of odd jobs -- bug wrangler, professional scary guy, sound effects man, etc. -- are perfectly tuned to kids' sensibilities. This is a rare book that can be a great birthday gift for kids from 4 to middle school (even high school). I hope we'll see a sequel.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A really GREAT book, April 18, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Odd Jobs: The Wackiest Jobs You've Never Heard Of (Paperback)

Ellen Weiss has written an amazing book. The photographs are great too. This book teaches a lesson. You need not decide early in life what you want to do for the rest of your life. You can have an interesting, rewarding and enjoyable career if you follow your heart, your interests, your dreams. It's a great read. I personally know of a school where ninety plus second graders are enjoying this book. There is a copy in each of their classrooms and one in the school library, The children each have their own preferences. "Bug-Wrangler" and "Armpit-Sniffer" seem to be the top two favorites, but all the jobs receive mention. I cannot say enough good things about this book. Thank you Ellen Weiss. Thank you Damon Ross and the other contributing photographers. I especially enjoyed the photos of the "Feather Guy" by Karen R. Coles. To sum this book up in one word....."Wowee".