The Kid's Guide to Money: Earning It, Saving It, Spending It, Growing It, Sharing It (Scholastic Reference)

In The Kid's Guide to Money: Earning It, Saving It, Spending It, Growing It, Sharing It, author Steve Otfinoski achieves a complicated feat: explaining to kids (ages 9 through 12) the fundamentals of how to thrive in the American economy. Otfinoski uses an easy, informative tone, and focuses on the young entrepreneur who wants to earn money. The author promotes the joys of work, finding a job or building a business, developing advertising, and so on. Later chapters provide explanations of banks, budgets, careful consumerism, taxes, investments, and, finally, charitable donations. Throughout, Otfinoski sprinkles interesting sidebars (called Money Moment and Kid Cents) featuring odd facts about money and quotes from kids. Humorous drawings liven up the chapters, and the appendices include a detailed glossary. Cheers to Otfinoski for making what is often a dry, boring subject a fascinating opportunity for learning and fun. --Ericka Lutz