So You Want To Be A Pilot (So You Want To Be A...)
About
WINNER of the Literary Titan Gold Book Award
The runway stretches out ahead and the world is still. Then the throttle goes forward, the engines answer, and in forty seconds everything that was heavy becomes light. The ground falls away. And up here, in the place where weather is something you fly through rather than stand under, the horizon belongs to you.
So You Want To Be A Pilot takes young readers ages 10–14 inside one of the most disciplined and most awe-inspiring professions on earth — not the movie version, but the real one. The years of training and logged hours that happen before a pilot ever carries a single passenger. The specific mastery of reading sky, instrument, and aircraft simultaneously — processing information from a dozen sources at once and making decisions that cannot wait. The crew that operates in precise coordination across the flight deck, where communication is not a courtesy but a system. The flight that goes exactly to plan — and the one that calls on everything a pilot has ever learned.
This is a book about what pilots actually do: the meteorology they study to read weather that can change faster than a flight plan can be rewritten, the instrument systems they master so they can fly when the sky outside tells them nothing, the aerodynamics they understand at a level that makes flight feel inevitable rather than miraculous, and the calm authoritative judgment they bring to a cockpit where composure is not a personality trait but a professional requirement. It’s also a book about what the work costs, what it gives back, and why the people who do it say that the first time you break through the clouds into clear sky above, something in you changes permanently.
Inside, young readers will discover:
- What a real pilot’s training and career looks like — from first solo flight to the flight deck of a commercial aircraft
- The science of flight — aerodynamics, meteorology, navigation, and what keeps four hundred tons of aircraft in the air
- The physical and mental demands of the profession — and the rigorous standards pilots must meet and maintain throughout their careers
- The full range of aviation — from commercial airlines to cargo to bush flying to test piloting — and what each path demands
- 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 Pilot 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 vast and precise and completely alive. For the kid who watches every plane cross the sky, tracks it until it disappears, and feels something shift.
The sky is not empty. It is full of invisible highways, invisible rules, and people who trained for years to navigate both. Maybe one of them will be you.
Ages 10–14 · Nonfiction · Careers & Professions · Illustrated
Praise for this book
"So You Want To Be a Pilot opens with the feeling every plane‑watching kid knows: that sudden tug in your chest when something silver cuts across the sky. Linda Soules makes that moment bigger—and then shows what it's actually made of.
The book takes you through a flight and a future, one clear step at a time. You get the thrill of takeoff, then the surprising truth: good flying is calm, practiced thinking. Soules explains weather choices, radio talk, and why checklists matter, and it never feels like a lecture. The 'Day in the Life' pages were my favorite, because they make the job feel real—early mornings, careful walk‑arounds, and a landing that's quiet on purpose.
The voice is steady and confident, with sentences that read like you're watching a scene out the cockpit window. The facts are genuinely cool (round windows, the sterile cockpit rule, even why pilots don't eat the same meal). It's the kind of book curious kids can grow into—some sections invite a second read or a quick chat with an adult, and older readers in the 10-12 range will especially enjoy the grown‑up respect for how flying really works.
What I admire most is the balance: wonder without pretending it's easy. If a child finishes this book still looking up, they'll also be looking closer—and that's exactly where big dreams start."
"So You Want To Be A Pilot is part of Linda Soules' amazing So You Want To Be series. Have you ever looked up at a plane flying above and decided you wanted to be a pilot? It sounds like a wonderful job, and it is, but there's much more to it than just sitting in a seat. You'll learn exactly what it takes to become a pilot, how they can lift a massive, 200-ton aircraft into the air, fly it, and land it safely at their destination. They'll learn what a pilot has to do, what all the controls in the cockpit are for, how fast they fly, and why the windows are round. Readers will meet Amelia Earhart, Chuck Yeager, and Bessie Coleman, three of the most notable names in aviation history, and they'll finally learn why flying is one of the safest forms of transport in the world.
So You Want To Be A Pilot by Linda Soules is a fantastic addition to the So You Want To Be series. This series looks at careers that kids ask questions about and presents them in easy-to-understand books that explain everything clearly and simply. Lots of kids have said that they want to be pilots, and this book gives them an excellent understanding of what's involved, along with some stunning illustrations. Readers will learn a lot, not just what it takes to fly a plane, but why certain safety implementations had to be introduced and are still used to this day. This is a truly inspirational book that will captivate young readers. It's written in simple, down-to-earth language, explains aviation terminology clearly, and walks kids through what to expect if this is their chosen career. Readers will learn that being a pilot isn't just about passing exams and demonstrating they can physically fly the plane; it's about true dedication to their passengers, safety standards, and to the sheer joy of sitting in the pilot's seat and controlling a massive piece of engineering. If there's one thing young readers can take away from this, it's that the sky truly is the limit. You can be whatever you want to be, and this book lays the groundwork for kids to learn how to make their dreams come true."
"Linda Soules’ So You Want To Be A Pilot is an engaging and informative children’s book that takes young readers beyond the fantasy of flying and into the real world of aviation. Written for curious readers ages 10 to 14, the book captures the excitement of watching a plane cross the sky while also explaining the discipline, training, and responsibility behind every safe flight. Soules doesn’t present piloting as simply sitting in a cockpit and steering through the clouds; instead, she shows that becoming a pilot requires dedication, precision, teamwork, and a deep respect for safety.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is the way it makes complex aviation concepts accessible without watering them down. Readers learn about aerodynamics, weather, navigation, cockpit instruments, and the many systems that help pilots fly safely even when visibility is poor. Soules explains fascinating details, such as why pilots rely on checklists, why cockpit communication must be exact, and how modern pilots work with autopilot systems. These facts are presented in clear, down-to-earth language, making the book an excellent STEM resource for children who want real answers about how airplanes work.
The line, 'The most extraordinary achievement in aviation is not the speed… it is the calm ordinariness,' stood out to me because it shifts the focus from the excitement of flying to the incredible safety and discipline behind it. It made me think about how amazing it is that hundreds of people can travel seven miles above the earth at incredible speed and feel comfortable enough to fall asleep. I also liked how the book lists pilot code words like 'wilco' and 'squawk,' because kids can start using them right away and feel like real pilots learning the language of the cockpit.
The book also gives readers a thoughtful look at the profession itself. From early training and first solo flights to commercial aviation, cargo flying, bush flying, and test piloting, Soules shows that there are many paths into the sky. The book’s 'day in the life' approach helps young readers imagine the routine and responsibility of the job, from early morning walk-arounds to careful landings. Profiles of aviation figures such as Amelia Earhart, Chuck Yeager, and Bessie Coleman add historical interest and help readers see aviation as a field shaped by courage, innovation, and persistence.
So You Want To Be A Pilot is both inspiring and honest. It celebrates the wonder of flight while making it clear that piloting is a calling built on preparation, judgment, and lifelong learning. With its practical guidance, glossary, career insights, and wonderful illustrations, this book is a fantastic choice for children who love airplanes, dream of becoming pilots, or enjoy learning how things work. Soules gives young readers the respect of telling them the real story, and in doing so, she reminds them that big dreams begin with curiosity, effort, and the courage to keep looking up."
"As someone who isn't a pilot, I learned some things from this book. I think this would be a good book for elementary students who are interested in becoming a pilot... The included images are lovely, and there is a nice resources list at the end for those who want to learn more."
"As a kid I always wanted to be a pilot. This book described the aspects of the job, good and bad, so well. It was broken down in great detail and had really fun illustrations."
"The book you give as a gift to the little one we all know that wants to fly. This gives you the day in the life of a pilot and will keep that imagination soaring."
"Forget the sunglasses-and-leather-jacket heroics. This book respects young readers with specific details and practical steps to discover if this calling has wings."
"An excellent book for kiddos that have an interest in flying or who may have recently had a trip on a plane."
"A great book for everyone, not just kids, to learn about the life of a pilot! Easy read and the illustrations make you want to keep turning the pages. Definitely a good series for kids."
"This book meant a lot to me. My spouse got their pilot license and this gave me so much insight on what it all takes to be a pilot."
"It really breaks everything down in depth as to what goes into the day to day lives and responsibilities of a pilot... I learned a lot from this book myself and would highly recommend it."
"I know this book was written for kids but I too learned a lot of things about a pilot that I didn’t know...this was a wonderful and informative book! Any adult and or kid would love!"
"I like how it goes into detail about what a pilot's job is all about, but it does it in a kid friendly way that is simple and easy to understand. It also mentions famous pilots so that kids get a bit of history as well. It also provides links and resources for kids to obtain more information, which I think is great! The graphics are pretty cool as well!"
"This was the BEST book to read with my 14 year old son. His gampa is a Captain and I used to be a flight attendant... This book was soooo fun with my son, his gampa, and me to discuss."
"This book was great! I love the flow of the text and how much resourceful information was in it. I love love the art, the illustrations were a huge hit with the kids. They love these books."
"This is a great book!!! I love all the information and how it is presented in a way that is easy to understand for kids. It goes really in-depth, but the explanations are easy to follow and understand. My 12 year old was super excited after reading this book."
"I absolutely loved this book and I can't wait to read more in this series. This is a fantastic resource for teaching young people all about being a pilot, both the good and the bad. What skills are required and what you can do now to start preparing at an early age. It gives information in an easy to understand way but not in a demeaning way. It includes history of famous pilots, a day in the life, requirements and skills, and a glossary. I highly recommend this book!"
"The author was very knowledgeable and either knew what they were talking about or did a lot of research. I work in the aviation industry and can vouch for the accuracy of the information in this book. It is also explained simply in order for a child to understand it."
"It was informative and gave a realistic picture of the responsibilities and challenges of being a commercial pilot while also talking about the unique joys... The illustrations are excellent, as I've grown to expect from this series."
"Yet another great one in the series. I love how these books share how you imagine the job is and then what reality is like (the good and the bad and the hard)."
"The way this really pulls you in to discuss parts about being a pilot is so remarkable...There were so many facts and information I truly had no idea about. Such a good read."
"I loved this book and can’t wait to read more in the series. It’s an excellent resource for introducing young readers to the world of aviation and what it truly means to be a pilot—the exciting parts as well as the challenges. The book clearly explains the skills and qualifications needed, along with practical ways kids can start preparing from an early age. The information is presented in a way that is easy to understand without ever feeling overly simplistic or patronizing. I also enjoyed the sections on famous pilots, a typical day in the life, career requirements, and the helpful glossary. I highly recommend this book!"
"This is an absolutely amazing book for any child or young adult interested in being a pilot. It covers so much information without becoming boring and the art is amazing."
"This is actually a much more detailed book than I thought it would be but condensed enough it's an easy read. There were so many little tidbits I didn't know like pilot and co pilot can't eat the same meal."
"What a fabulous resource for young kids to get an inside peek at what being a pilot truly entails. The images are vibrant and really convey the magnitude of what an amazing job being a pilot is."
"Once again very satisfied with another book in this series. With So You Want To Be A Pilot, my son and I learned a lot of what goes into the day-to-day responsibilities and the mechanics of airplanes and airlines as a whole. It did a great job highlighting not just what the pilot does, but all the other critical aspects of what keeps us all safe in the air. I have the same praise for this one as I did the last one I reviewed: fantastic information and not just a bunch of fun facts, real roles and responsibilities, the time, training, and effort it takes to become a pilot, and day in the life, notable pilots (I call these heroes in these series), and even a great list of ways to get started in the career path. Highly recommend!"
"This is a fascinating book with information that adults can enjoy as well. My son is in flight school so I have a basic knowledge of pilots and planes, but I learned a lot of new facts. I like that the illustrations are plentiful, detailed, and include many female pilots. Many terms are defined as well. Very good book choice for an aspiring pilot!"
"I am in awe of this book. Beautifully illustrated, simple language and fun facts, this book has a lot to offer. I love that it does not focus on the glamour/fascination of becoming a pilot but the responsible side of things. Connecting a doctor with a needing patient or a family to their reunion, a quick change on the weather... are some of the responsibilities/situations that a pilot encounters each day. 'A day in the life' section is amazing as you can see what to expect to do. Also includes resources to learn more - where to go, additional books to read, different associations and more. This book is part of a series of career choices for teenagers 13 and up. Highly recommend this author. You will not be disappointed."
"Very beautiful illustrations, beautifully written. It offers a lot of useful educational information for older children who are dreaming of following this career path."
"This book is not just a great educational tool for any child who dreams of becoming a pilot but also a fun book for children as well. While the targeted age group is 10-14, the great picture designs help make this book friendly for younger ages as well. The visuals are detailed and enhance the story rather than take away.
There was a lot of great information and I like how the book was divided into different sections. Each section stayed on its topic and threw in fun facts that keep the readers attention. The book also contains a glossary and a list of additional resources that that includes books, websites, activities, and organizations that are available for kids who want to become pilots. I also enjoyed the note from the author as it showed even they learned something while writing this book. There is also a list of additional books in this series that can help expand a child’s knowledge and maybe even help create a love for books."