Reviewed by Hilary Hawkes for Readers' Favorite

Finding Your Path: A Guide to Life and Happiness After School by Amba Brown is a positive and motivating book aimed at young people finishing or about to finish high school. In an informative and encouraging way, it outlines the various opportunities and directions that are available at this age and stage in life. Chapters cover working out what you want to do next, and how to go about achieving your goals – whether your aim is to travel and explore the world, remain in education and study for a degree, go straight into employment, or take some time to volunteer, do charity work or develop a personal project. There is advice on how to prepare for and undertake each of these options – including writing a resume or CV, handling interviews, coping with travel and independence, and finding your passion or interests. At the end of the book there are a few short vignettes, examples of the different routes taken by a few young people.

Finding Your Path is written in a clear and upbeat style that will appeal to its target readers. It can be confusing and unsettling for young people who very often do not know which option to go for, or how to decide what type of work or training would suit them. Amba Brown’s book does more than outline the different routes open to high school leavers, but does so in a positive and enthusiastic manner – encouraging the reader to approach this stage with excitement, enthusiasm and an open mind. I love the motivating and inspiring quotes by various famous people throughout the book, and the author’s advice: “Whatever you decide to do check that the thought of it makes you smile.”

The advice and information are also practical and down to earth, ensuring that young people realize that it can take a while to work out what you really want to do in life, and that experiencing different opportunities at different times is all helpful and never wasted. I like the emphasis on being a “do-er” and the advice to do what is right for you individually – finding your own way to contribute to society and use your talents and interests. Good advice for those who are older too, perhaps, who feel unhappily stuck in work they do not enjoy. With much sensible information, this would be a great book for teachers and parents to give to students approaching the end of their high school days.