Mo’s Bows: A Young Person’s Guide to Start -Up Success by Moziah Bridges with Tramica Morris, forward by Daymond John

This book is a wonderful introduction to business and  entrepreneurship for teen readers.  While Bridges’ unique voice is a bit lost in the translation to the written  page, his story isn’t! Mo and his co-author (his mother Tramica!) use Mo’s youngful success in his home state of Tennessee and then his national television appearances on Steve Harvey’s show and Shark Tank to draw the reader in.   The authors motivate their young audience to believe they can succeed as Mo did if willing to learn from failure and follow the  BOWS acronym: B=  believe in yourself,  O= take the opportunity to give back,  W= work hard, and S = seek support.  

Confident readers looking for how-to-improve-your-hustle advice will appreciate this book.   And although they may balk at the “corniness,”  Mo’s success is undeniable.  --Jessica Fenster-Sparber

Kid Start-Up: How You Can Be an Entrepreneur by Mark Cuban, Shaan Patel, and Ian McCue

Students who know the TV show Shark Tank may be interested in this  book co-authored by the American billionaire Mark Cuban, former Shark Tank contestant Shaan Patel,  and Ian McCue who is a successful teen entrepreneur.

The book offers direct, practical advice for younger readers with a section on “10 businesses that any kid can start”  including pricing and strategy suggestions, procedural directions, and a list of supplies needed - it is a how-to book rooted in the practical.  

Chapter 5  “The Nuts and Bolts of Launching Your Business” gives screenshot-illustrated directions on creating an advertising flyer,  setting up social media, building a weekly website, and selling items on eBay.  These directions link to templates that unfortunately may frustrate detained readers who are without Internet at present, but may be usual nevertheless and in the future.

Chapter 7 is designed like a workbook with lines where readers can write their comments and responses.  Backmatter includes info on affiliate marketing, a glossary, and affiliate links to resources.  Page 65 lists legal tips and may spark additional interest.

While not a perfect fit for all older NYC adolescents,  nor culturally relevant to most Passages students,  the book nonetheless offers useful information and a reader-friendly table of contents.  Older readers may find the book valuable despite the  “kid” focus and language.  --Jessica Fenster-Sparber

Cuban, Mark and Shaan Patel, Ian McCue.   Kid Start-Up: How You Can Be an Entrepreneur.  New York: Diversion Books, 2018.