World's Grossest Jobs

“When young readers think of their future work, there may be a few positions they have overlooked, but which are essential in today’s world. For example, consider Porta-potties. Someone must clean them, and there are many companies that rent and maintain them. Think about problems created by rats or roaches. Again, there are companies who focus on taking care of such infestations. Or, if an outside job is preferred, raising worms, or perhaps maggots, is a viable option. Throughout history, there have been jobs that would make some people’s flesh crawl; early examples include gathering leeches or bat poop. It may be hard for readers to believe such gross jobs exist, but there has always been a need for workers willing to do them. Contemporary examples of what the author considers some of the worst jobs include sorting landfills, inspecting sewers, and testing pet food. All of these tasks are very necessary in today’s world; to entice workers, the pay is often more than many other jobs. Young readers engaged in thinking about their future careers may find this short book helpful. Recommended for a school library or classroom unit on career preparation. Reviewer Rating: 5” —Children’s Literature

“[T]hese titles lean into the fun elements of their icky subject matter and will engage readers seeking hi-lo content.”—School Library Journal