So You Want To Be A Marine Biologist (So You Want To Be A...)
About
RECIPIENT of the Mom's Choice Award® Gold — Honoring Excellence
WINNER of the Literary Titan Gold Book Award
Seventy-one percent of this planet is ocean. Most of it has never been seen by human eyes. What lives down there, how it survives, how it connects to everything above the surface including you — those are not small questions. They are the questions that have driven scientists into the water for generations. And they are still not fully answered.
So You Want To Be A Marine Biologist takes young readers ages 10–14 inside one of the most adventurous and most rigorous professions on earth — not the documentary version, but the real one. The years of study that come before the first research dive. The specific discipline of observing life in an environment that was not built for human bodies. The team of scientists, divers, data analysts, and conservationists working together to understand a world that covers more of this planet than all its land combined. The expedition that yields exactly what you hoped — and the one that changes your entire hypothesis.
This is a book about what marine biologists actually do: the ecosystems they map and monitor, the species they catalog and protect, the research vessels they live and work on for weeks at a time, and the precise, patient observation they bring to creatures that operate on schedules and terms entirely their own. It’s also a book about what the work costs, what it reveals, and why the people who do it say the ocean never gives up all its secrets — and that is exactly why they keep going back.
Inside, young readers will discover:
- What a real marine biologist’s work looks like — from laboratory research to open-water fieldwork
- The science of ocean ecosystems and the astonishing diversity of life they sustain
- The physical demands and intellectual rigor the profession requires — and how marine biologists meet them
- The urgent role marine biology plays in understanding and protecting a planet under pressure
- What young people can do right now to discover if this might be their calling
Honest, specific, and genuinely illuminating, So You Want To Be A Marine Biologist doesn’t talk down to young readers — it brings them all the way in. Because the child who wants to know what this work is really like deserves a real answer.
For readers who feel the pull toward something deep and vast and not yet fully known. For the kid who stands at the edge of the water and feels something shift.
The ocean covers most of this world. And most of it is still waiting to be understood. Maybe you are the one who will.
Ages 10–14 · Nonfiction · Careers & Professions · Illustrated
Praise for this book
"Did you know that almost every living thing on Earth traces its roots to life in the ocean? In Linda Soules's So You Want To Be A Marine Biologist, many interesting facts will astound you and make you want to look deeper beneath the water's surface. There's a lot to be seen underwater. There are sea creatures that live and breathe deep beneath the water's surface. And many wonderful and inspiring plants grow on the ocean floor. But that's not all. The ocean covers seventy percent of Earth's surface, provides us with oxygen to breathe, controls the weather, and feeds us. What more could you ask for? Considering the ocean's importance, it is essential to take care of it, which we're not doing very well. Pollution is threatening life in the ocean. But there is hope. Marine biologists study the ocean and find ways to rejuvenate what might otherwise become extinct before it's too late. Would you like to be a marine biologist and make a difference to ocean life?
In Linda Soules's So You Want To Be A Marine Biologist, young readers will learn about the ocean as well as those dedicated, highly trained scientists, marine biologists, who study and work to preserve a precious part of our lives and well-being. This is a thoroughly detailed book that will inspire young readers to consider this career path, or at least, to interest and educate them on the importance of the ocean and what lives within. The illustrations are superb and add another dimension to the research material. The book is well organized and presented in a manner that will interest young readers. The book concludes with interesting tidbits, like important qualities of a marine biologist, information on some famous marine biologists, some fun facts, and a list of things you can do now to prepare yourself for this potential career path. A fascinating and informative read."
"So You Want to Be A Marine Biologist is the kind of children's nonfiction book that immediately pulls young readers in and makes them want to know more. It's officially written for ages 10-14, but honestly, I can see it working for curious younger kids, older teens thinking seriously about careers, and even adults who just love learning cool things about the ocean.
What makes this book stand out is that it doesn't just say, 'Marine biologists study the ocean.' It actually shows what the job feels like. Readers get a real look at the work behind the wonder: early dive briefings, research vessels, lab work, data analysis, coral bleaching, ocean conservation, and the patience it takes to study animals and ecosystems that don't operate on human schedules.
The book does a great job balancing excitement with honesty. Yes, marine biology sounds adventurous and fascinating, but the book also talks about the harder parts, like cold water, seasickness, failed hypotheses, grant rejections, long waits for funding, and the physical and mental demands of the job. I appreciated that because it gives kids a fuller picture of the career instead of just presenting the fun, shiny version.
The illustrations are another huge strength. They are colorful, vivid, and engaging, with images of ocean life, divers, reefs, deep-sea creatures, and research vessels that make the subject feel big and alive. The visuals make the book especially appealing for younger readers who may not read the whole thing independently yet but will absolutely linger over the pictures and absorb a lot along the way. My favorite scenes were the ones where divers were under the water. Those scenes looked magical.
I also liked how well the book is organized. The short sections, glossary terms, fun facts, 'day in the life' style details, equipment explanations, and next-step suggestions make the information easy to follow. It gives kids practical ways to explore whether marine biology might be something they want to pursue, which is such a smart addition. I keep leaning on the word 'practical' when writing this review, but I think, overall, that's what this book really is: it's practical. Most career books for kids simply explain what a job is. This one goes further.
So You Want To Be A Marine Biologist is a beautifully illustrated, thoughtful, and genuinely inspiring book for any child who loves the ocean, animals, science, or big questions about the world. It's informative without being boring, honest without being discouraging, and exciting without oversimplifying the work. This is definitely a book kids can return to again and again as they grow. Highly recommended for ocean-loving kids, future scientists, and any young reader who has ever stood at the edge of the water and wondered what is out there."
"Linda Soules's 'So You Want to Be a Marine Biologist' serves as an essential, practical primer for middle-grade readers. The book's primary strength is its ability to balance the inherent wonder of the ocean with the rigorous reality of scientific labor.
Soules begins by establishing the high stakes of oceanography: the ocean produces the majority of our oxygen and regulates our climate, yet it remains largely unmapped. She effectively redefines the marine biologist, moving beyond the trope of a simple 'ocean lover' to frame them as a vital scientist tasked with managing Earth's most critical life-support system.
Soules categorizes the field into distinct specialties, ensuring readers understand that 'Marine Biology' is an umbrella term for a network of roles: monitoring biodiversity and bleaching; exploring high-pressure zones using Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs); and managing the intersection of human activity and mangroves/seagrass.
A significant portion of the book is dedicated to the instructional 'how-to' of the job. Soules meticulously lists the tools of the trade, categorizing them by their function in data collection.
The text excels in its 'Day in the Life' instructional segment. This section serves as a procedural guide, breaking down the workday into: Briefing: Defining objectives and safety protocols; Observation: Executing transect surveys and fish counts; Documentation: The transition from underwater observation to lab data entry; and Analysis: Understanding how bleaching at a deep-water site dictates future conservation policy.
Soules provides a clear-eyed look at the constraints of the profession. She delineates between the public perception (discovery and adventure) and the professional reality (seasickness, equipment failure, and the constant hunt for grant funding).
Key instructional features including scientific terms (e.g., transect, hydrophone, bleaching) are introduced in context with clear definitions. Standard operating procedures outline the importance of safe diving, careful note-taking, and mechanical problem-solving. Lastly, the concluding chapters shift from the 'what' to the 'how.' Soules provides a roadmap for the aspiring scientist, emphasizing that the path begins long before university.
She provides actionable pathways, a checklist for the reader, turning abstract interest into a series of 'First Steps,' such as keeping a field notebook and practicing snorkeling.
By highlighting icons like Sylvia Earle, Jacques Cousteau and Eugenie Clark, Soules connects the reader to a lineage of explorers who combined scientific discipline with a deep, emotional commitment to the sea.
'So You Want to Be a Marine Biologist' is an empowering STEM resource. It successfully demystifies a complex field, replacing a 'distant dream' with a concrete, actionable career path. It is ideally suited for classroom units on ecosystems or career-focused nonfiction collections, successfully transitioning the reader from a curious observer to an informed aspirant."
"It discusses the good, the bad, and the unexpected for this field of work. I like that it covers details that will set real life expectations, allowing the reader to understand some of the requirements this job has."
"This isn't just for little kids, in fact I would say it's great for older kids. My daughter is 14 and her dream is to be a marine biologist so I had to get this book."
"My 9 year old really enjoyed this book... My son really liked the part where they broke down the schedule hour by hour of a marine biologist's day. Great read for young explorers!"
"All the facts discussed are intriguing and fascinating, enough to ignite curiosity from children."
"I wanted to be a marine biologist when I was a kid and if I had a book like this I might have pursued it!"
"Together, the illustrations and prose create not just a guide to a profession, but an invitation to pay attention, suggesting that noticing the ocean carefully might be the first step toward protecting it."
"The book balances excitement with challenge... marine biology is not just adventurous but demanding, patient, and purposeful work. Together, the illustrations and prose create not just a guide to a profession, but an invitation to pay attention."
"This book is an awesome reference for children that show interest in the field of marine biology. It's the perfect length to keep their attention and has fantastic images to capture how amazing the ocean is...Having a child that has long been obsessed with sharks and has thought about marine biology for years, this book definitely covers a lot of areas that he may not have thought of."
"Realistic and entertaining way to educate children on daily tasks and key objectives of marine biologists."
"I wish I had this book when I was a pre-teen!...This book laid out in an age-appropriate way what a marine biologist ACTUALLY does. The amount of detail was just right. I appreciated that they covered not only what is great about the job but also what is hard and surprising. This gives a much more balanced perspective to folks."
"I really enjoyed this book and it was fun to learn about this career. The illustrations are nice, clear, and well done. They tie together with the text very well. Would definitely recommend and can’t wait to find the other books in the series."
"This children's book is great for the child that is always wanting to be at the ocean. Somone constantly talking about Shark Week and Sea Turtles. It breaks things down in a way that actually makes sense—what the job is really like, what goes into it, and what people don’t usually think about. It has beautiful images that go perfectly with the topic at hand. Short, informative, and straight to the point. Super beginner-friendly, especially if you’re just curious about marine biology or thinking about getting into it."
"This book is great. I loved the story line and how informative it was. The illustrations were phenomenal. It was engaging in all the right ways and something the whole family can enjoy. One book I do not mind reading to my niece."
"What a great series! My son loves these books and this one was no different. Such great information that lays out the good, bad and ugly of the job. He particularly loves the fun facts at the end of the book. Highly recommend checking these out."
"This is a great educational book on the career of a marine biologist. I would say it’s geared towards an elementary aged kid. It reads similar to the 'Who Is' type books that many kids know and love. I liked the layout, including the best parts of the job, hardest parts of the job, surprising parts (the ocean has been explored less thoroughly than the surface of the moon!), A day in the life, and even a glossary at the end of the book for any of the 'big words'. The questions towards the end that encourage kids to ask themself to know if this is a future career for them are great too! All in all, great book and will definitely check out others in this series with my kids."
"This short book is an amazing read. Ages 10-15 i would say is a good age range given the in-depth info it gives. If anyone is thinking about marine biology as a career, I recommend this book....10/10 recommend to let young minds be inspired to love the ocean and understanding what is happening to it."
"Adorable book to share with your kids, esp if they’re showing interest in the ocean or ships or water. Loads of fun information of the ocean, more than we can find our in the galaxy. Shrimp’s loud noises, reef water protection from waves, equipment and data from scientists! Enjoyable read."
"First off, the illustrations are great! They really pull you into the book and help you visualize what you are reading. I loved that the book was short and to the point with great facts throughout. Any age could read this and get the idea of the career this is and if it’s something they might want to do. I’m already debating the switch!"
"Most books that talk about different jobs just explain what they do. This book gives enough details so that you understand what a marine biologist does, the tools used on the job, the importance of their work, and the positives and negatives that go with the job."
"I assume the layout of the entire series is like this and if so, it's a must buy for whatever job a child is interested in."
"This series methodically walks through every aspect of an occupation — from the job responsibilities to the tools being utilized, to the interactive relationships with others in a similar field. We LOVE this entire series!"
"There was so much I didn’t know about sea creatures. This book showed me a ton as well as learning more about what a marine biologist actually does day to day."
"I am currently a marine science student and this book of course caught my eye. This book is an excellent introduction for anyone curious about marine biology as a career. It does a great job explaining what marine biologists actually do, the education required, and the different career paths available in the field.
I especially liked how easy the book was to understand without being overly simplistic. It’s informative, encouraging, and realistic at the same time. The author clearly has a passion for marine science, and that enthusiasm comes through in the writing.
This is a great resource for students, young readers, or anyone considering a future working with marine life and ocean conservation. Highly recommended for aspiring marine biologists!"
"So You Want to Be a Marine Biologist was a gift to my daughter. It is a fun and interesting book for kids who love the ocean and sea animals. The pictures are beautiful, and the book does a great job explaining what marine biologists actually do in a way that is easy to understand and exciting to read."
"Wow- I wish I would have had this type of book when I was younger. It’s such a great insight into the marine biologist profession. The illustrations are multicultural and use vivid colors. This book grasped my attention from the start. It is extremely informative and immersive, to the point where you almost feel like you’re with marine biologists learning about their jobs. I liked that it also includes famous marine biologists, pros and cons, and extra facts. After reading about marine biologists, this book also switches gears from providing information to enabling consideration as to whether this could be a future career or not! It really gets the reader involved."
"So You Want to Be a Marine Biologist is an engaging and informative nonfiction book that introduces readers to the exciting world of marine science. Written by Linda Soules, the book is especially well-suited for upper elementary and middle school readers who are curious about ocean life and science careers.
The author explains what marine biologists do in a clear, kid-friendly way, breaking down complex ideas into understandable sections. Readers learn about studying ocean animals, exploring underwater habitats, and using scientific tools to collect data. The book also highlights the education, skills, and dedication needed to work in this field, helping students understand that being a marine biologist takes curiosity, hard work, and a love of learning.
As a teacher, this and other books in the series would be a great addition to any classroom library."
"An engaging and educational book that makes learning about ocean life and marine science exciting for kids. It explains what marine biologists do in a fun, easy-to-understand way while inspiring curiosity about the ocean and sea animals. The book is filled with interesting facts and encourages young readers to dream big and explore careers in science. A great read for any child who loves the ocean and wants to learn more about protecting marine life. My daughter loved this book because she wants to become a marine biologist."
"This is a fun, informative book for kids that explains what it takes to be a marine biologist. Topics include the best, hardest, and most surprising parts of this job; famous marine biologists; what a day in the life of a marine biologist looks like; qualities needed to be successful at this job; the 'tools of the trade,' and what a marine biologist actually does. Anyone who loves the ocean will enjoy reading this book!"