Customer Reviews

Odd Jobs: The Wackiest Jobs You've Never Heard Of

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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.

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.

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".

*Thrilling! You'll want to meet the Funny Man. You will put some gloss on your food to see if you can style food as well as Pat Croce. This is a great book to look at if you want to decide your job! This is a very enjoyable book! You may plan a trip to New York to meet Orlando Powers. Try to "chase a storm." Play with an albino boa constrictor, but don't get it lost in a pipe, like Cathryn Long. Would you like to be a Master Sniffer? This is a book you will never forget, and you'll always turn to it when you have a free second. Ellen Weiss wrote brilliantly and Damon Ross took phenomenal pictures!* - Ellie Immerman 11