So You Want To Be A Public Defender (So You Want To Be A...)
About
From the award-winning So You Want To Be A… Series
GRAND PRIZE — 2026 Purple Dragonfly Book Awards
SILVER AWARD — 2026 CIPA EVVY Book Awards, Children’s Nonfiction
Every kid who has ever asked “But is that fair?” will find themselves in this book.
What happens when someone is accused of a crime and can’t afford a lawyer? A public defender steps in. So You Want To Be A Public Defender is an engaging, illustrated career guide for kids ages 10 to 14 about the lawyers who defend people’s rights in court, and about why the right to a fair trial protects every one of us.
Written by a former attorney with a twenty-five-year legal career, this nonfiction book explains how the criminal justice system really works, in clear language that respects young readers. Kids follow a public defender through a full day in the courthouse, from meeting nervous clients in the hallway to cross-examining witnesses, negotiating with prosecutors, and researching late into the night. They learn what defenders do long before trial, why most cases never reach a jury, and how investigators, social workers, judges and juries all fit together.
The book takes on the question public defenders hear more than any other, “How can you defend those people?”, and gives an answer that will change how kids think about fairness, rules and the presumption of innocence. It is honest about the hard parts of the job, including heavy caseloads, tough losses and unpopular clients, and about why so many defenders would not trade the work for anything.
True stories from American history bring the Constitution and the Bill of Rights to life. Readers see how Abraham Lincoln won a murder trial with an almanac and how Clara Shortridge Foltz invented the idea of the public defender. They learn how Clarence Earl Gideon’s handwritten petition from a prison cell led to the landmark Supreme Court case Gideon v. Wainwright, and how Ketanji Brown Jackson went from public defender to Supreme Court justice. Kids also discover where the Miranda warning comes from and how a teenager’s case gave young people the right to a lawyer in juvenile court.
Plenty of fun balances the serious subject. Kids can solve the Case of the Missing Cupcake, learn what “The defense rests” really means (it isn’t nap time), find out how ancient Athenian jurors voted with bronze ballots, and meet the French lawyer who once defended a town full of rats.
The book also covers the education path from high school through law school and the bar exam, the skills and qualities that help defenders succeed, and related careers in law, social work and investigation. It closes with a kid-friendly glossary of legal terms, recommended books and websites, and hands-on activities like holding a family mock trial.
So You Want To Be A Public Defender is a great fit for social studies and civics classrooms, mock trial and debate teams, homeschool curricula, school libraries, and any young reader with a strong sense of justice. It also makes a thoughtful gift for kids interested in law, government or helping others. It is part of the So You Want To Be A... series of career-exploration books for curious kids.
Praise for this book
"So You Want To Be a Public Defender is a remarkable career-oriented children’s book in the So You Want To Be series by Linda Soules. This concise, illustrated, child-friendly guide to a public defender career explains what public defenders do and how to become one. Young readers will learn what school subjects a future public defender must study; what a day in the life of a public defender looks like; a public defender’s most important qualities; and more. The book also includes fascinating exercises that invite young readers to try a public defender role. Intended primarily for children aged 10 to 14, the book will also benefit younger children curious about this profession, who can read the thoroughly designed speak-for-themselves illustrations and navigate the narrative with an adult’s help. So, do you want to be a public defender?
As a UK solicitor, I am grateful to Linda Soules for sharing her experience as a U.S. lawyer in this immensely useful and highly informative career guide. Reading So You Want To Be a Public Defender, I marveled at the wealth of information Linda included in this book, especially the glossary introducing legal terms, famous public defenders, and fun facts. I also appreciated the detailed guidance that invited young readers to self-assess their suitability to be public defenders, based on the skills blend and effort required to succeed. But what really impressed me was the case of the missing cupcake and the mock trial idea: who left the cap off the toothpaste! I highly recommend this immensely useful book for children curious about a public defender career."
"Everyone deserves a fair chance, especially when their freedom is at stake. In So You Want to Be a Public Defender by Linda Soules, young readers learn about the people who provide legal representation to those accused of crimes who can't afford an attorney. The book explains what public defenders do, from investigating cases and gathering evidence to questioning witnesses and representing clients in court. It also explores the education and training required, the skills needed to succeed, and the rewards and challenges of the profession. Children get a glimpse of a typical workday and discover that much of the job takes place outside the courtroom. There are interactive activities that encourage readers to think critically, examine evidence, and consider both sides of an argument. Soules also introduces several important figures in the history of public defense, including Clara Shortridge Foltz and Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. Could this be the career for you?
I've had the honor of reviewing several books in Linda Soules' So You Want to Be A... series, and So You Want to Be a Public Defender is another one I really enjoyed. The writing is informative without being overwhelming, making a complicated subject easy for children to understand. I learned quite a bit myself! I always assumed public defenders had been around since our country's founding, but that wasn't the case. I was surprised to discover that they sometimes help clients find housing or get treatment, too. This would fit perfectly into a classroom discussion about fairness, constitutional rights, and why everyone deserves legal representation. Students could even examine a pretend case and discuss the evidence. The colorful illustrations are engaging and feature both boys and girls, helping kids picture themselves in this profession. I'd recommend this title to curious young readers interested in law and helping others. Ketanji Brown Jackson said, 'You are representing the framework of our constitutional democracy, making sure that the system works the way it is intended to, even for the least among us.' This book helps explain why those words matter. It deserves a place in schools, libraries, and homes so children can gain a better understanding of this essential occupation."
"In So You Want to Be a Public Defender, Linda Soules introduces young readers to a profession that doesn’t always get the attention it deserves. This informative children’s book explores what it means to stand up for people accused of crimes, especially those who can’t afford an attorney. Soules explains the purpose of public defenders, the rights they’re responsible for protecting, and the important role they play in the American justice system. Her approach is engaging and thoughtful, encouraging children to consider questions about fairness, responsibility, and the importance of hearing everyone’s side of a story. It’s a fascinating subject for a picture book, and Soules makes it accessible by connecting complicated legal ideas to situations children can understand.
I liked the way the book brings legal concepts into everyday life. A missing cupcake becomes an amusing opportunity to explore evidence and the presumption of innocence, while other examples help readers understand how lawyers investigate cases, question witnesses, and advocate for their clients. Soules also takes readers through a typical public defender’s workday, showing how much happens outside the courtroom. From researching legal arguments to listening to frightened clients, the responsibilities are varied and demanding. The writing has a friendly and conversational quality, with touches of humor that make the subject approachable. There’s plenty of information here, and the book encourages curiosity by introducing legal vocabulary, historical figures, and surprising facts about the justice system.
The illustrations are warm additions to the book that add personality to the reading experience. Rich browns, golden lighting, and inviting architectural details give the courtrooms, offices, and libraries a welcoming atmosphere. The characters are expressive, and their interactions help communicate the human side of a profession often associated with rules and procedures. Particularly effective are the scenes showing attorneys listening to clients, working alongside colleagues, and offering reassurance during difficult moments. The artwork also depicts a diverse range of people, reinforcing the book’s emphasis on representing individuals from all backgrounds. Some spreads combine substantial blocks of text with smaller illustrations, giving the book the feel of an illustrated career guide. The images provide visual interest throughout, especially when the information becomes more detailed.
What makes So You Want to Be a Public Defender especially interesting is its attention to both the rewards and challenges of the profession. Soules discusses heavy workloads, difficult decisions, and the emotional demands of defending people who may be unpopular or misunderstood. She also highlights the compassion, courage, careful thinking, and persistence the work requires. Interactive activities, practical suggestions, a glossary, and additional resources invite readers to explore these ideas beyond the page. The amount of information makes this picture book particularly well suited to older elementary readers and curious middle schoolers. Its central message has broad appeal. Soules offers an absorbing introduction to public defense while encouraging children to think about justice, empathy, and the difference one committed person can make in someone else’s life."