So You Want To Be A Roller Coaster Designer (Theme Park Engineer) (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
The ride lasts ninety seconds. The work behind it lasted seven years.
Before the first rider screams, before the first chain pulls the first car to the top of the first hill, someone spent years doing the mathematics of fear — calculating exactly how fast, how steep, how inverted, how long, so that the experience lands in the precise place between terrifying and safe. That calculation is not an accident. It is engineering at its most thrillingly human.
So You Want To Be A Roller Coaster Designer takes young readers ages 10–14 inside one of the most imaginative and most technically demanding professions on earth — not the theme park guest version, but the real one. The years of physics, materials science, and computer modeling that happen before a single piece of track is laid. The specific discipline of designing for the human body — its limits, its thresholds, its capacity for joy and adrenaline — with the precision of a surgeon and the imagination of a storyteller. The team of structural engineers, ride mechanics, safety specialists, and experience designers working in careful coordination so that one ride, lasting ninety seconds, feels like nothing else on earth. The design that clears every safety threshold — and the one that sends everyone back to the drawing board.
This is a book about what roller coaster designers actually do: the physics of g-forces and kinetic energy they master to make speed feel exactly right, the computer simulations they run thousands of times before a single bolt is tightened, the materials engineering behind track and structure that must perform flawlessly under millions of cycles of stress, and the creative vision they bring to turning a mathematical model into an experience that makes people laugh, scream, and immediately want to ride again. It’s also a book about what the work costs, what it gives back, and why the people who do it say they have the best job in the world — and mean it completely.
Inside, young readers will discover:
- What a real roller coaster designer’s process looks like — from concept sketch to opening day
- The physics of thrills — g-forces, velocity, momentum, and what they do to the human body
- The safety engineering that makes extreme experiences possible — and why it is the most creative constraint of all
- The history of the roller coaster and the legendary designers who turned a wooden hill into one of humanity’s great inventions
- 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 Roller Coaster Designer 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 that is equal parts physics and pure joy. For the kid who rides the coaster once for the thrill and once to figure out exactly how it works — and feels something shift.
The greatest ride ever built doesn’t exist yet. Someone has to design it. Maybe that someone is you.
Ages 10–14 · Nonfiction · Careers & Professions · Illustrated
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Praise for this book
"So You Want To Be A Roller Coaster Designer by Linda Soules introduces readers to the science and creativity behind designing thrilling rides. The book begins by inviting readers to imagine creating experiences that evoke excitement, anticipation, and joy, and explains that every sensation on a roller coaster is carefully planned. It walks through how designers think about forces such as speed, gravity, and motion, showing how hills, drops, and loops are shaped to produce specific physical sensations. The narrative explains that roller coaster design is both an engineering and a storytelling endeavor, contributing to a broader emotional experience. Readers learn how designers use computer simulations to test rides before they are built, followed by real-world testing to ensure safety and accuracy. The book also explores where designers work, from offices where calculations are made to construction sites where rides take physical form.
Linda Soules blends technical ideas with examples, helping readers understand how physics shapes each moment of a ride. Illustrations reinforce the text by showing track designs, testing processes, and riders' expressions, helping young readers grasp complex concepts. The structure builds logically, moving from imagination to design, testing, and real-world application, mirroring the creation of a roller coaster. Readers who enjoy engineering, design, or amusement parks may find the book especially appealing, particularly those curious about how thrilling experiences are carefully planned. So You Want To Be A Roller Coaster Designer also invites readers to observe the world around them with curiosity, encouraging creative thinking and an interest in how ideas can become real experiences. The book is geared toward older children who are familiar with roller coasters."
"So You Want To Be A Roller Coaster Designer is a fun, fast, and informative children's book that takes readers behind the scenes of one of the most exciting engineering jobs imaginable. This children's book has plenty to offer younger children, older students, teachers, parents, and even curious adults. At just 38 pages, it's a short read, but it manages to pack in a lot of fascinating information about what it really takes to design a roller coaster before anyone ever gets to enjoy the ride.
One of the book's strengths is how clearly it explains the mix of imagination and science involved in roller coaster design. Readers learn that designers don't simply dream up wild rides and hope they work. They use physics, geometry, computer simulations, force measurements, scale models, and careful calculations to make sure every hill, loop, turn, and drop is thrilling and safe. The book does a great job showing how classroom concepts like force, motion, momentum, velocity, and g-forces connect to a real-world career that many kids already find exciting.
The book also highlights the teamwork and responsibility behind the fun. Roller coaster designers work with engineers, manufacturers, construction crews, mechanics, safety specialists, and many others to turn an idea into a working attraction. I especially appreciated how much attention the book gives to safety, because it helps young readers understand that the most exciting rides are possible only because so many people are carefully checking every detail. The book also includes useful career-focused sections, such as tools of the trade, a day in the life, important qualities for the job, famous coaster designers, fun facts, a glossary, and ideas for what interested kids can do now.
The illustrations throughout the book are exceptional, as they are throughout every book in Linda Soules So You Want To Be A... series. My favorite scenes were the ones where people were actually riding the roller coasters. You can see the joy and excitement on their faces, which makes the book feel even more fun. I think kids will connect with those moments because they capture the feeling of being on a ride.
This is a well-structured, creative, and informative book for children who love roller coasters, engineering, theme parks, or simply learning how amazing things are made. The colorful artwork and short sections make it approachable, while the real-world details give it lasting educational value. It would be a great addition to a classroom library, especially for science units on force and motion, and it is also a wonderful choice for families with curious kids."
"What a great guide for anyone looking to pursue an out of the box job! There are so many things that go into a rollercoaster and this book helps you think through each. I will use this book in my career counseling with students."
"Spoiler: it's way more than sketching loops on a napkin. These folks use imagination, physics, geometry, and a mountain of computer simulations to create rides no one has ever experienced before."
"This author covers everything from what drives a designer to do their job, how to do it and the tools needed, along with the good and bad parts of the job. The qualities needed for a designer are listed, questions for your child to ask themselves and if truly interested, steps to take next."
"I am an adult and I learned a few things I never knew. This book covers the basics of physics that make roller coasters work. It highlights the steps of how a roller coaster comes to be from the first idea of the design by the engineers to the manufacturers and construction workers making and assembling it at the park."
"I never knew the loops on a Rollercoaster were not circles but teardrop shaped. Really interesting and great detailed information for being a roller coaster designer."
"Great educational book and kids get to see what they learn in school that can bring them this specific job. Makes them think!! And learn!"
"What drew me to this book was the role itself. I didn't know it existed! My son is creative and has always loved building. This book helped him understand a potential way to use that passion. I love that this is approachable material for his age and that it truly covers it all. The author notes the fun parts and the unexpected. I think this pushes kids to think about multiple perspectives. The illustrations also really brought the material to life."
"Another great 'So you want to be' book! Perfect for thrill seeking kicks who love roller coasters and theme parks! A great explanation of how roller coasters work for your little engineer in the making. This book does a great job of telling about the challenges roller coaster designers experience while also sharing about the fun parts of their job!"
"A few students of mine have been talking about a new ride and why it's taking so long. This was the perfect book to show them why it taking long and how it's starts with and idea and the process from start to finish."
"Very informative and unique book. I’ve been a teacher for 16 years and this is the first time I’ve come across a book about roller coaster engineers."
"This continues to be an excellent series of books. It's visual enough to be an easy start for a young reader and the physics just shows up naturally. The reader is learning before they know it. A great way to explore careers."
"I was blown away by the detail and organization of this book. Any child interested in being a roller coaster engineer should have a copy."
"My 5 year old and I read this together. He really loved it! It has sparked new curiosity."
"From the top of the hill, to the bottom of the loop this book had me intrigued. We are big roller coaster enthusiasts in my family and this book checks every box. I loved learning about the first coaster designer, to how g-forces affect the body. A great read!"
"Recently found this series for my classroom and am adding a few at a time. I’ve never seen a book on roller coaster designers, so this piqued my interest! The illustrations are well done and the information is given in a variety of formats. All the extra information at the end of the book adds to the overall reading experience!"
"As an educator I feel like young kids thinking about what they want to be when they grow up could certainly benefit. I definitely plan on recommending this series to colleagues so they can look into adding this to their classroom library!"
"This book is perfect for my classroom library. I teach science and try to incorporate books that can work with each unit. This book works with force and motion but also great for showing what careers are in the science fields."
"I loved this book. I learned so much just reading it to my kid. It gave me understanding on how things are done and the safety behind it. Very good at explaining things. I also loved how it gave definitions and other places to find more information."
"Such a fun and engaging read! A creative, kid-friendly look into the world of roller coaster design that makes learning exciting. Great for curious kids who love theme parks and engineering."
"This was a creative and lively read for a young boy or girl interested in learning about rollercoasters and how they are made. Great information for writing a report."
"This is a detailed easy to follow book for kids/teens dreaming of being a roller coaster designer. Honestly as an adult it was informative. It talks about everything from g-forces, to design, building, testing, and beyond. If your child is curious or enjoys just the roller coaster games this is great."
"This was a pretty interesting book that took me behind the scenes of how roller coasters are designed and built. It explains the science of speed, height, and gravity in a way that feels fun instead of complicated, making it great for curious readers of all ages. The book mixes real engineering ideas with examples of famous roller coasters, helping you see how imagination and math come together to create thrilling rides. Overall, it's an interesting and educational read that makes you look at amusement parks differently. I would recommend it!"
"Explains the science that goes into roller coasters and some of the challenges in an informative but concise way."
"This book was fascinating! We learned so much about the many things that go into designing roller coasters. As the author wrote, 'A great designer thinks about the rider's emotions first, then figures out what the track needs to do to create them.' There are so many things that have to go exactly right before the coaster design can advance to the building phase. This book was such a great learning opportunity. I highly recommend it!"
"My 9 year old really enjoyed this book! Lots of great information and illustrations. We live near Kings Island, and we can see the roller coasters from the road, so he was very excited and happy with this book. He doesn't like riding them much but likes understanding how they work."
"I LOVE the artwork in this book! It is vibrant and creative. This is also a great book because of the details given about being a roller coaster designer. As a teacher, I can imagine using it in a classroom when talking about different jobs kids could be when they grow up. They could use this book as research for a project and present about it. Parents could also use the book for their own children, if interested in the topic. I appreciated that it discussed the work done on computers before the ride is ever ridden. It has plenty of great facts about the occupation to keep readers engaged and actually learning about a fun job opportunity!"
"Interesting and creative book that explains how roller coasters are planned and built. The book is educational and entertaining. The illustrations and explanations helped me understand how speed, height, and loops work together in a design. It is an enjoyable book about creativity, problem solving, and innovation."
"I love this book. It gives insight to people who know they want to something besides the traditional lawyer, teacher, doctor path. It also deep dives into something for that person who always has love STEM careers. It has bright beautiful illustrations. It could be a great mentor text for teachers because it has headings, subheading, a daily schedule/timeline, and a page for further research. This is a great book to add to the collection."
"What a wonderful book for kids to learn about a roller coaster and how they are built. As a teacher this is definitely a book I would have for my students to read while working on stem projects dealing with engineering. It has such great insight into a fun career in engineering too."
"I've watched the new Fast and Furious Roller Coaster be built over time during visits to Univer Studios. I've ridden multiple coasters, flipped upside down, this way and that. I'm awaiting the opening of Montezuma's Revenge at Knott's Berry Farm. But never once did I think about what's gone into making a coaster, a coaster. This is such an eye opening book and the job itself is so intricate. Absolutely loved reading this."
"This is a fun, informative book for kids who love roller coasters and dream of designing their own someday! Topics include the best, hardest, and most surprising parts about being a roller coaster designer; what a day on the life of a roller coaster designer looks like; what qualities are needed; who they work with; fun facts; famous roller coaster designers in history; and what exactly this job entails. Anyone who’s ever enjoyed the latest, greatest roller coaster at their favorite amusement park will enjoy this fact-filled book!"