Mo's Bows: A Young Person's Guide to Start-Up Success

Gr 6-9—Bridges, teen entrepreneur and Shark Tank contestant, presents a step-by-step guide for creating a small business or start-up. He uses examples from his own business, Mo's Bows, as well as hypothetical situations including lemonade stands and lawn-mowing services. He covers everything from product testing to using social media to promote a business. Bridges's advice is standard but practical: focus on making a product you're proud of, practice your elevator pitch, etc. Bridges explains to readers how to maximize their earning potential in a world that often takes advantage of young workers. However, even with a glossary in the back, the vocabulary may be inaccessible to those with lower reading levels. The business examples such as the lemonade stand indicate a younger audience. The challenge for this book is finding the appropriate reader: a student who can handle the vocabulary but who does not feel infantilized by the young tone. VERDICT It's refreshing to see a book that acknowledges the creativity and budding business sense of young people. However, while the content is fun and informational, the work may appeal only to a limited audience.—Jeri Murphy, C.F. Simmons Middle School, Aurora, IL