A Teen Guide to Buying Goods and Services (Practical Economics for Teens)

With increasing discretionary income, teens have become a powerful consumer demographic. The introductory chapter of this well-rounded entry in the Practical Economics for Teens series relates the concepts of goods and services and how the buying choices teens make directly affect the economy, while a subsequent chapter explains the efforts of advertisers to lure teen spenders. Later chapters address the impact of selling and buying green and American-made products, and a final chapter discusses consumer rights. Quotes from businesses that are popular with teens, such as Chipotle and Five Below, add validity and interest to the accessible text. Color photos, “Goods and Services Tips and Trivia,” and more enliven this helpful look at becoming aware of one’s spending practices. Grades 5-8. --Angela Leeper

Gr 6–8—The subjects discussed here are fundamental when it comes to instilling a sense of fiscal responsibility in today's young adults. However, because of the presentation and structure of these books, teens likely won't find themselves engaged with the material. Though the information is solid, the sheer amount of text on the pages is daunting. While the chapters have distinct headings and some pages with full-color photos and supplemental text boxes add variety, the chapters are not subdivided or broken down into sections, making quick browsing difficult. A contents page and an index will help with looking for specific keywords, but even so, the content may seem overwhelming. The series would be useful for specific projects, but it isn't an essential purchase.