So You Want To Be A Marine Biologist (So You Want To Be A...)

"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."

"In this illustrated nonfiction children’s career guide, “So You Want To Be A Marine Biologist” by Linda Soules, readers are taken on an amazing adventure learning the intricacies of what it’s like to become a marine biologist. Children and adults alike will learn many interesting facts, not only about the marine environment, but also exactly what it takes to become a marine biologist.

The first thing that truly stuck out to me was how Linda Soules jam-packed this children’s book with so many interesting facts that readers of any age will walk away with knowledge they didn’t have before reading it. As an adult, I learned that the ocean covers more than seventy percent of our planet. That percentage made me stop for a moment to take it in. I truly never put this kind of intense thought into such a dynamic piece of information. Plus, another truly interesting fact I learned is that the ocean environment produces more than half the oxygen we breathe. If these two pieces of information don’t intrigue you, how about another fact that eighty percent of the ocean hasn’t even been explored yet? Those facts would make any reader in awe of just how significant our ocean is in our day-to-day environment.

Another thing I never put much thought to was how involved a marine biologist’s job truly is. They don’t just study the ocean and its inhabitants; they must devote their lives to learning about and supporting such an integral living environment for generations to come. Soules provided detailed information that will allow children to truly see just how involved the life of a marine biologist is in sustaining not only every human being, but also all the ocean’s inhabitants that we depend on for our lives. This informative book will delight readers of all ages because there is so much information for every reader to learn from.

The illustrations were AI-generated by Soules, and she fully disclosed that she worked diligently on trying to make these generated images as unique and specific as possible to help guide her readers along a marine biologist’s journey. The colors and detailed illustrations were treasures provided throughout this nonfiction guide.

Linda Soules is an award-winning author of the So You Want To Be…series, which is a children’s nonfiction series of career-exploring books. This series is continually growing to help inform children of various careers that will be available to them as they get older. This series has won many awards and continues to grow in popularity as each new book is added.

Overall, “So You Want To Be A Marine Biologist” by Linda Soules is one nonfiction career book that will entertain readers of various ages. The information is intriguing to learn, the illustrations are spot-on to the data being offered throughout, and the additional bonuses of Fun Facts, Glossary of Terms, and the Want To Learn More sections perfectly complement the entire guide offered. It comes highly recommended!"

"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!"

"Another amazing book in the series. So You Want to Be a Marine Biologist is a fantastic non-fiction account of what it is like to be a marine biologist and the impact this job has on the future of the planet and all living creatures. This book will definitely inspire future biologists by encouraging them to start while they are young exploring all things related to water. Really great book."

"I LOVED the pictures with detail of coral and sea life. There are also fun facts like 80% of the ocean has never been explored. It explains that marine biologists are scientists who study all living things in the ocean. I didn't realize, before reading the book, that they live on research vessels at points. The book also describes their tools of the trade and what a typical day in the life could look like. I love all these So You Want to be a books!"

"This book would be an easy read for young kids who may be interested in what this career can offer. It is a fantastic informative book on realistic expectations about becoming a marine biologist and what the job could entail without sugarcoating. The best and hardest parts of the job sections is a real perspective on what a person in this profession can accomplish. My favorite line from the book is “Are you comfortable with cold water, long rides, and the ocean’s general indifference to your comfort?” because it is such a true statement. Having a bachelor’s degree in marine biology myself, this statement really hit home on how true it is.

The illustrations in this book are eye catching and unique. I saw some species of animals that are not as well known (like dumbo octopus) that made an appearance. There is also sections at the end of the book on how to further explore this career opportunity and other learning topics."

"If your child loves the ocean like mine does then i recommend this book. My child dreams of being a marine biologist and this book is so perfect for them to read. It’s not a hard read and it’s very enjoyable."

"I loved this book and how deeply it explains the life of a marine biologist. I grew up going to the beach and if I would have read this when I was young there would have been a very high chance this would have been my choice."

"This is the book I was missing when I was a curious kid with a love for the ocean! Full of inspiring words and gorgeous, colorful illustrations, this book will not only keep the interest of budding marine biologists, but will also help prepare them for their eventual career path. Every step along the way was explored in detail from what a marine biologist is to an hour by hour example of how they spend each day. As a kid interested in marine biology but not sure what that really meant, this would have been so helpful! The author also outlines different specialties in marine biology (reef ecologist, deep sea biologist, coastal ecologist), opening up further horizons for study. All is not presented through rose colored glasses, however. The author is careful to present both the potential pros and cons so young people can make informed decisions about their future career ideas. I really liked how she wrote about useful attributes for marine biologists to possess, again helping young people decide if it's a good fit for their career. For those interested in continuing down the path of marine biology, the end of the book has many useful suggestions for things to do right now that will help later, such as learning to snorkel, doing a beach clean up, and learning more from the resource list of websites, books, and organizations. All in all, I thought the guide was well written, visually pleasing, and entertainingly informative. While I think the target audience of 10-14 is accurate, even those a bit younger and certainly a bit older will gain much from reading it. I know I certainly did!"

"This book was the perfect way to introduce my kids to the world of marine biology! Beautiful illustrations! It shows kids not only the beauty of the oceans but how to study all the creatures you can find in the water, from a tiny tide pool to the deep ocean!"

"Could not stop reading! So fascinating the ocean! If your kids are curious of science or the ocean or animals in the ocean they will love this book. In very short story you and your kids can learn a lot about things most people don't know about. And it has beautiful pictures! Be a Marine Biologist!"

"So You Think You Want to Be a Marine Biologist is an engaging and informative nonfiction book that gives young readers an honest look at what it takes to pursue a career in marine biology. Rather than focusing only on the excitement of exploring the ocean, the book explains the education, dedication, and teamwork required to become a marine scientist. One of the strengths of this book is its realistic approach. Readers learn that marine biology involves much more than swimming with dolphins or discovering new sea creatures. The author highlights the importance of science classes, research, patience, and careful observation, while also introducing the many professionals who work together to study and protect ocean ecosystems. The book also does an excellent job of connecting science to real-world issues. Topics such as coral reef decline, ocean pollution, and conservation efforts help readers understand why marine biology is an important field today. These discussions encourage young people to think about how they can help protect the environment while inspiring them to explore careers in science.

I especially appreciated that the book includes practical advice for students who are interested in marine biology. It provides age-appropriate suggestions for developing curiosity, building scientific skills, and exploring opportunities that can prepare them for this career. Overall, So You Think You Want to Be a Marine Biologist is an excellent resource for upper elementary and middle school readers, particularly those ages 10–14 who are fascinated by the ocean and STEM careers. It is both educational and motivating, offering an inspiring yet realistic view of marine biology while encouraging readers to become lifelong learners and environmental stewards."

"Does the ocean fascinate you? Do you think you want to be a marine biologist? This book is a great read to prepare you for a career being a scientist of the water and every living thing in it. A very realistic overview of a typical day or adventure. Most live on a research vessel for long periods of time in order to collect data and study new organisms. If you discover a new plant, species, fish etc., you get to name it, record it, write it into the permanent scientific record. Marine biologists help people by doing the research. This book provides the most important qualities needed for this profession along with things you might not expect to need. Learn how to start to prepare for a career now."

"This book discusses the position of a marine biologist along with describing the ocean and its vastness. It includes the importance of scientists and the dire situation our ocean and planet are currently facing. Using awesome illustrations we can actually see the ocean, its living things, and how humans interact in it. It continues with an accurate description of this occupation with both the fun and unpleasantness that comes with it. Readers learn the why, who, what, where, when, and how of ocean exploration and scientific discovery, necessary tools and equipment, a realistic daily schedule, and working conditions. The text describes both the seriousness and excitement of this life. I appreciated the included glossary, famous marine biologists, questions a scientist can ask, and how someone can get started. I even learned something new from the fun facts section! This book is tailored to a 10-12 year old audience but I enjoyed it as an adult with a masters degree in biology."

"I know I sound like a broken record with this series. I get it. #sorrynotsorry here is another 5 star review - because Linda Soules keeps absolutely smashing it out of the park with these books.

When I was growing up in Florida I definitely had thoughts of being a marine biologist. Chemistry scared me away from a career in medicine or science, but the core principles of the profession are still ones I find fascinating and worthy of sharing with young people. This entry in the series does an amazing job of it, per usual. GORGEOUS illustrations. And such valid points about what it takes to be successful in the field."

"This book is fantastic!! Beautifully written. Love how informative it is. Breaks down the different types of marine biology jobs and what they do. Tells you all about the different technologies used in the field and even has super fun facts towards the end. Really easy to read and understand. Highly recommend."

"Another great book in this series. Full of information. My kids loved reading through this one and the pictures are nice too."

"Very much like the author's other entries in this series, this book takes a very interesting occupation and puts it into clear view for a young audience. While the tools of the trade, history around the career path, and methodology are important--the author always has a knack for putting the role into greater context for the reader. Being a marine biologist isn't just a cool profession, but one of many roles that helps center the importance of being better stewards for our natural world."

"So You Want to Be a Marine Biologist is an interesting and inspiring book about the work of marine biologists. It explains the education, challenges, and rewards of the career in a way that is easy to understand. The real-life stories make the book engaging and show why protecting the ocean is so important. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys science or wants to learn more about marine biology."

"Going into this book I thought it was just going to be a few words on a page with pictures for children but it was so much more than that. There are colorful pictures but it's also jam packed with information on Marine Biology, sea animals and life. It was a good read for me as an adult but I'll be working into a science unit for my homeschooled child this upcoming school year. If you have a child or you yourself are interested in Marine Biology, I highly recommend."

"An amazing introduction to a young child's curiosity about the ocean and the possibilities of it being their workplace! Easy to read and understand for kids 10+. Interesting facts of what it is to be a Marine Biologist, the importance of their work, the hardships they face, and a list of other books to read to learn even more about this career field. There are several other books in the 'So You Want To Be A...' series. Definitely check them out when your child says, 'I want to be a (fill in occupation) when I grow up!' and help them along with their journey to a fulfilling work life!"

"I think that most kids go through a point in their life where they dream of being a marine biologist. I know I was definitely one of them! This book does a wonderful job of showing what that dream could actually look like! It's fun, educational, and full of lots of interesting facts that make marine biology exciting without being overwhelming. This is a great read for curious kids who love sea life and who have big dreams!"

"This book packs a lot of descriptive information in a short book. Reading about all the different jobs a marine biologist does and how important each task was fascinating. I would read this book over and over again just to look at the illustrations."

"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."

"A fun and informative read for anyone curious about marine biology. It gives an honest look at what the career is really like, balancing the excitement of working with marine life with the realities of the job. Easy to read, engaging, and especially helpful for students or anyone considering the field. Definitely worth reading!"

"This was so cute for my son. After a fun visit to the Aquarium he was interested in being a Biologist and I found this book to be perfect for him."

"This is a fun and informative book that introduces young readers to the exciting world of ocean science and marine life. It does a great job of showing what marine biologists do, the discoveries they make, and how they help protect our oceans. The engaging writing and colorful illustrations make learning about sea creatures and ocean exploration enjoyable. A great choice for curious kids who dream of working with animals and discovering the mysteries beneath the waves! 🌊🐬"

"Love this book! Written at a level kids can understand, but gives so much information! There are sections on what marine biologist actually do, where they work, tools they use, the pros and cons of the job, and the most important qualities of a marine biologist, amongst other important and fun information. My kids (8 and 11) are super excited to read the other books in the series now since this was so informative but written for kids to understand."

"Great introduction to marine biology for any ocean loving kids. It shows the fun stuff and the hard stuff, plus gives you ways to get started helping now. Illustrations are stunning and go perfectly with the context. Highly recommend this book and this series!"