So You Want To Be A Scientist (So You Want To Be A...)
About
The question arrives before the answer. It always does. That is not a problem to be solved — it is the entire point. The scientist is not the person who has all the answers. The scientist is the person who cannot stop asking the questions — and who has learned, through years of rigorous practice, how to make the universe give them up one at a time.
So You Want To Be A Scientist takes young readers ages 10–14 inside one of the most expansive and most demanding pursuits in human history — not the laboratory-coat version, but the real one. The years of training and failed experiments that happen before a single discovery. The specific discipline of designing a question carefully enough that reality can actually answer it — because a poorly formed question, no matter how brilliantly pursued, leads nowhere. The team of researchers, statisticians, peer reviewers, and fellow scientists working in careful coordination so that what one person finds in one laboratory becomes knowledge that belongs to everyone. The experiment that confirms the hypothesis — and the result that overturns it entirely and opens ten new questions where one used to be.
This is a book about what scientists actually do: the research methodology they master to design studies that reveal rather than mislead, the data analysis they use to find the signal inside the noise, the peer review process they participate in to ensure that what gets called knowledge has actually earned the name, and the intellectual honesty they bring to a pursuit where being wrong — and admitting it — is not a failure but a fundamental part of how the work moves forward. It’s also a book about what the life costs, what it gives back, and why the people who do it say that the moment a discovery lands — the moment something previously unknown becomes known, and you are the person who found it — is unlike anything else the human mind can experience.
Inside, young readers will discover:
- What a real scientist’s working life actually looks like — from forming a hypothesis to designing experiments to publishing findings that change what the world knows
- The full range of scientific disciplines — from biology and chemistry to physics, neuroscience, climate science, and beyond — and what each demands
- The intellectual rigor and creative imagination the profession requires — and why the greatest scientists are as much artists of inquiry as they are masters of method
- The history of science and the remarkable figures whose questions — and whose willingness to follow them wherever they led — changed everything
- 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 Scientist 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 rewards curiosity more than any other human pursuit. For the kid who always needs to know why — not just what.
Every fact the world now accepts as true was once unknown. Someone had to find it. Someone had to ask the right question, design the right test, and follow the evidence wherever it led. That someone was a scientist. Maybe the next one is you.
Ages 10–14 · Nonfiction · Careers & Professions · Illustrated
Praise for this book
"Did you know that anyone can be a scientist? All you need is to be curious about the world around you. In So You Want To Be A Scientist, author Linda Soules shows what it entails to be a scientist. Many scientists stumbled upon some of the most important discoveries in history by trying to figure out what went wrong. Scientists work in various environments, including the laboratory and the field. They gather data, conduct experiments, analyze the results, check for errors, consult with colleagues, and write down their findings so others can evaluate them and build upon their research. This picture book highlights the tools of their trade and takes you through a day in their life. You will also learn about some of the famous scientists in history.
So You Want To Be A Scientist doesn't just cover the fundamentals of being a scientist; it also delves into the different types of challenges scientists face throughout their careers. Author Linda Soules has done a fantastic job with the 'So You Want To Be A...' series of picture books so far. And this book continues to be as informative, engaging, and fun as the previous installments. Children will find it both educational and entertaining. Soules sets a similar narrative pattern as the rest of the books, highlighting the career, the tools of the job, its unique challenges, and a day in the life of the professionals. I have enjoyed every book in this series, and this one follows the trend. It's a must-have on the bookshelf for anyone with children."
"For parents of curious 10-12 year-olds, So You Want To Be a Scientist is the rare science book that feels inspiring and rigorously grounded. It doesn't talk down to kids; it trains their 'why?' into a habit of noticing, testing, and thinking clearly.
Soules begins where kids actually live: questions about the sky, seeds, and dreams. From there, she eases them into the real work—make a guess, test it, write it down, and try again—without turning it into a lecture. The real-world examples (penicillin, the microwave, Kevlar, the 'Wood Wide Web') are the kind that stick and make kids want to tell you about them later. What I liked most is that it pushes the curiosity off the page: start a notebook, try small experiments at home, and treat "that didn't work" as part of the process.
Soules has a friendly, confident voice and she explains big ideas without making them feel 'school-ish.' The pages move quickly, and it's easy to stop after a section and talk — exactly what you want with this age group. I also appreciated how she normalizes mistakes and keeps circling back to honesty and responsibility ('can we?' vs 'should we?'). The only quibble is that a couple of list-heavy stretches may slow down kids who prefer more narrative flow.
In our house, I'd hand this to a kid who loves asking 'why?' and doesn't want the conversation to end. Dip in a few pages at a time, and expect it to spill into real life—kitchen experiments, notebook scribbles, and better questions. That's the point."
"Have you ever wondered what makes ice slippery? How our eyes see? Why rainbows appear after it rains? If so, then you have the mind of a scientist. And if you have the mind of a scientist, then you just might be able to become a real scientist one day! Until then, you don't need a lab coat or special equipment. But reading the book So You Want to Be a Scientist by Linda Soules is a good start. In this book, you'll learn about scientific discoveries that happened by accident, how curiosity got the scientist to make a discovery, and how doing simple things like combining two liquids to see what happens can be the work of science at home.
Being curious about the world around you is an important skill for any budding scientist. It is the desire scientists have to explore ideas and test theories. Curiosity is what gets a scientist started with an experiment and keeps them determined to see it to the end. As Soules writes on page 9, 'What drives scientists is curiosity in its purest form - not the desire to appear knowledgeable, but the actual need to know.'
This book offers an easy-to-follow explanation of what science is, the types of scientists, and what sort of tools a scientist will use. The accompanying pictures show these examples as well as the scientist in action.
Readers will also learn about peer review. This term applies when a scientist is having their work read and reviewed by other scientists, their peers in the community or lab. This is an important part of the scientist's work because it allows the scientist to learn about what other scientists think and to get feedback on the work that was done.
Another part of this book that readers may enjoy is the part titled 'A Day in the Life,' where they will get to explore what a scientist's day may be like. They mostly have their work days filled with scientific activities that are listed within the book. Some of these activities include things like writing in their notebooks, setting up equipment, analyzing data, attending meetings, and doing research.
What I loved most about this book is that some of the pictures featured female scientists. It is so important for young girls to know that they, too, can grow up to be scientists as well. Women in STEM are unfortunately lacking proper representation, so it was refreshing to see female scientists in these pictures. I also appreciated how this book shares the ups and downs of being a scientist. There will be good days, and there will be bad days. This happens with every profession. What matters is a person's dedication to their work and their determination to get answers to a puzzle.
So You Want to Be a Scientist by Linda Soules is an informative introduction to the life of a scientist for a young reader interested in pursuing such a career. This book offers clear and specific insights about what being a scientist is all about, as well as instructions on how young aspiring scientists can practice science right now. With colorful pictures depicting real-world scientists in action, lists of tools and techniques to implement, and a glossary of scientific terms, this book is a must-have for young readers who are in search of an introduction to a scientific career."
"This book is an excellent guide and introduction to becoming a scientist. It explains each step and what a scientist does. It also shows kids that any time they are curious is a part of being a scientist and that they are on the path of discovery."
"One of the things I liked is it talked about embracing failure as a scientist. You have to be persistent and not get discouraged."
"It explains what it means to be a scientist in a simple, easy-to-understand way for kids. I especially liked how it mixes information with engaging illustrations that keep children interested on every page. Perfect for curious kids who ask lots of questions and want to understand how the world works."
"I really liked this book for kids interested in science. It talks about the different fields and different areas of being a scientist. I like that it talked about just more than being in a lab coat and so many different jobs to help study and discover the topic you are researching."
"I love how it begins by relating to the things children are naturally doing, recognizing that they are already scientists. The book shows a wide range of scientists, diverse in age, race, and gender, showing that there is a place for all in the field."
"My kid came away from this one with a whole new appreciation for what scientists actually do all day. The section on how most experiments fail, and why that's actually the point, was a favorite. The 'day in the life' format works really well here too. Great pick for any curious kid, especially one who can't stop asking questions."
"Another great book in this series. These should be in every school for students to read. I love each section but especially the best and hardest parts of the job, the people you work with, and what you can do to prepare now."
"Fantastic book for children! Gave all the facts you need to know to become a scientist. Brought truthful information straight to their reader. Straight to the point and clear information."
The book 'So You Want To Be A Scientist' gives a thorough and comprehensive overview of the work scientists do and what qualities are essential for a successful scientist to have."
"Great read for all kids who love science."
"Very well written book about science and being a scientist. Gives good insight and should be easily read and understood from 4th grade up. Pictures are extremely specific. Great work!"
"This book is really interesting. I read it with my daughter who found it inspiring. She actually started a science journal. This is her favorite so far in this series."
"It goes over so much detail and seems way more realistic and down to earth than other kids books I've seen. States important truths and disappointments they might face but also why it's worth it... It's so inclusive with great illustrations."
"The illustrations and approachable writing style make complex topics easy to follow, while the stories about scientists encourage creativity and critical thinking. It’s a strong choice for classrooms, homeschool shelves, or any young reader interested in discovering how the world works."
"This book is part of a series on professions that a kid may want to explore. This book talks about being a scientist. It goes over the mindset and aptitude needed to succeed in this field. It outlines what a scientist 's day is like, starting with lab notes, setting up equipment, doing experiments and taking and reviewing notes.
The book has photos that add to the text. It also has a glossary and a bibliography as well as notes on the author.
It is a great book for a budding scientist, at home study and also the school library. Try it. Buy it."
"This book is part of a great series that helps kids answer the million-dollar question, 'What do you want to be when you grow up?' The illustrations pull you in and supply great information. It covers a wide range of scientists for your child to learn about! My favorite is explaining that most experiments are wrong and that you keep trying and trying again."
"This is the second book I have read in this series and my son really enjoys them. They are full of information in an easy to read and understand way. I love how at the end it has info on real people and what they did. This book goes through every aspect of what it means to be a scientist and after reading it my son is even more interested in the idea."
"Thoroughly enjoyed this book, it is perfect for those kids who ask the questions we have no answers to that will help to discover the world of science & being a scientist!
Beautiful artwork & representation of the writing on every page. Very detailed but still attention grabbing for young kids!
I also liked how they gave suggestions at the end for kids to be able to start their own scientist journey right at home!
Definitely recommend especially for a science class full of students ready & eager to make discoveries!"
"Another great book by this author!!!! My kids and I love the 'So you want to be…' series. The information is relevant and interesting. The pictures are so engaging and the ratio of text to images keep young readers going."
"Loved this book. Science has always been my favorite subject and I loved reading more about it. Being a scientist is my passion and this book is very useful. Highly recommend."