So You Want To Be A Teacher (So You Want To Be A...)

"Most of us can remember being asked as children, 'What would you like to be when you grow up?' Few questions invite more thought than this one. Luckily, there is a 48-book series by Linda Soules that offers assistance to the undecided youngster. Her latest title is So You Want To Be A Teacher: A Kids’ Guide to Education, Classroom Life, Lesson Planning, and the Inspiring Mentors Who Help Young Minds Learn, Grow, and Shine. Written for ages 8-14, the book also explores a day in the life of a typical teacher, the many types of teachers, how to become one, and the tools of the profession, and provides names of famous teachers, fun facts, and a glossary.

What I appreciated the most about So You Want To Be A Teacher is how kid-centric it is. Linda Soules knows her audience well, with every detail designed for the middle-grade reader – from well-researched details and many colorful illustrations to the age-appropriate language and a conversational tone that never condescends. And although the book emphasizes the positive aspects of teaching, such as the daily opportunities to make a difference in a young person’s life, it also presents a few negatives: for instance, most teachers do not have the entire summer off. Many work other jobs, continue their education, or plan for the next school year. As a former educator, I highly recommend So You Want To Be a Teacher to help young readers (and their parents) gain valuable information about the job that prepares us for all our jobs. Teaching is truly that fundamental."

"So You Want To Be A Teacher by Linda Soules is an engaging and informative career guide for children ages eight to fourteen. The book begins with a powerful reminder that every doctor, astronaut, chef, engineer, and leader was once taught by someone. From there, Soules presents teaching as the profession behind every other profession. The author gives young readers an honest look at the patience, preparation, flexibility, and care required to help students learn and grow.

One of the book’s greatest strengths is its realistic portrayal of a teacher’s daily life. Readers follow a teacher from the quiet classroom early in the morning through lessons, classroom challenges, and evening grading at home. The book celebrates the rewarding moment when a struggling student finally understands something, but it also discusses tiring days, disrupted lessons, and the work teachers complete outside school hours. This balanced approach helps children understand that teaching can be difficult while still being deeply meaningful.

The book is also filled with practical and age-appropriate information. Young readers learn about lesson plans, manipulatives, classroom management, teacher training, and the importance of asking thoughtful questions. They are introduced to many different teaching careers, including kindergarten, high-school science, special education, and robotics coaching. Profiles of influential educators such as Anne Sullivan, Jaime Escalante, Maria Montessori, and Confucius add historical interest, while the glossary, fun facts, and career-readiness questions make the book especially useful for home or classroom learning.

Soules writes in a conversational tone that respects young readers and never talks down to them. The colorful illustrations make the information approachable, although a few visual details may appear inconsistent or oddly shaped. Even so, the strong writing and thorough research make this an excellent introduction to education as a career. So You Want To Be A Teacher is highly recommended for children who enjoy helping others understand new ideas, as well as for parents and educators who want to encourage thoughtful career exploration. It is both a practical guide and a sincere tribute to the teachers who shape lives one lesson, question, and encouraging word at a time."

"So You Want to Be a Teacher by Linda Soules is the teaching entry in the So You Want To Be... series for ages eight to fourteen. If your child keeps asking about teachers, this guide answers plainly, walking them through what the work actually involves.

Inside, the book explains what a teacher actually does, from lesson planning and reading the room to the after-hours work of grading and parent emails. It covers many kinds of teaching, kindergarten to chemistry labs, the tools of the trade, and the harder truths about exhaustion and unreachable students. A full day on the clock and profiles of Anne Sullivan and Jaime Escalante add texture, while sections on teacher training, parent partnerships, and lightbulb moments round out the book.

Linda Soules writes clearly and directly, explaining scaffolding and the power of a well-placed question in plain language. The classroom and school-building illustrations give kids something to pore over while a parent reads aloud. Throughout, the book quietly argues that teaching underlies every other profession a child might one day choose.

For parents reading alongside a middle grader, the book delivers the whole job, from snow days and classroom hamsters to grading folders open on the couch at night. It never dresses teaching up as easy work, which is exactly why it earns a child's trust."

"This book was so well written and chock-full of accurate information! As a retired teacher, I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about this book. Teachers are often portrayed as complainers: about how hard they work for little money, the amount of work done outside of school, and don’t forget their defense of their summers 'off'.

'You want to teach a child to read. To question. To notice.'

Learning to read is so important and that leads to reading to learn; not just parroting back memorized information. A great teacher will do all of this. The author hit upon all the buzz words, the characteristics of a great teacher, and the love a teacher has for children. Is it a hard job? Yes! Is it a labor of love? Yes! At the heart of being a teacher is loving children and accepting or at least acknowledging their quirks. We all hear about test scores, but the author acknowledges that oftentimes the impact of a teacher is not apparent until years down the line. The one kind word, the compliment, 'I see how hard you are working' means more than you will ever know. Every teacher I know has had at least one student come back as an adult and tell them how much that particular teacher has impacted their lives. It has happened to me and that is so confirming of my career choice.

I do appreciate the author referring to all the planning and work both inside and outside the classroom. Plans are great, but a teacher needs to be flexible and reflective on how a lesson went; you may be doing it again the next day in a different way. A great teacher can work a classroom and keep all the plates spinning. A sense of humor is HUGE!!

This book is geared towards children 10–14 years of age. It should also be a part of the curriculum for educators. It is not a long book, but it certainly touches on all the important aspects of teaching. Students, school staff across the board, and parents working together are all key to students being successful.

'Belief in Every Child.'

'Children rise toward the expectations of the adults around them. Hold them high.'"

"Here is another great book in this series. This particular one offers great insights into the daily life of a teacher. It also tells many of the exciting and rewarding things that concert being a teacher, as well as some of the challenges teachers may face.

I love how all of her books include a list of well-known people in whatever profession is being featured. I also love how the author gives ideas of things a child interested in becoming a teacher later in life can do now to start preparing.

As a teacher myself, I can honestly say this book is spot on! It would make a great addition for an upper elementary classroom or library."

"This book is a wonderful look into a teacher's life in and out of the classroom. It gives the reader a glance into the daily life of a teacher and all the challenges they face each day. A wonderful book."

"SO YOU WANT TO BE A TEACHER has a bright, friendly energy that makes learning about teachers feel fun. It shows why and gives a peek into how teachers can make such a big difference every single day.

The short read introduces the idea of teaching through simple language and cheerful illustrations that keep the pages lively. I smiled at how it celebrates all the little things teachers do, as well as the big ones like believing in children even when they’re lost and cheering them on when they finally figure something out.

The writing is clear and playful. The book shows that beyond lessons, teachers inspire confidence, encourage curiosity, and help children discover their own potential. I love this positive message and feel it gives the book an uplifting tone while helping young readers appreciate the impact educators have on communities."

"SO YOU WANT TO BE A TEACHER offers a thoughtful introduction to a profession that is often taken for granted, presenting teaching as work built on patience, preparation, and sustained care for others. I appreciated that author Linda Soules speaks honestly to younger readers instead of reducing the career to inspirational clichés, a common thread in the series. The book acknowledges the excitement of helping someone understand a new idea alongside the less visible responsibilities that fill a teacher’s day, from planning lessons to adapting when those plans inevitably change. That balance made the portrait feel convincing, especially because it leaves room for both satisfaction and frustration without overstating either.

Reading it reminded me how much of teaching happens beyond the classroom hours that students actually see. Soules gives equal attention to collaboration with families and the quiet encouragement that can shape a child’s confidence years later. The illustrations also reinforce the book’s welcoming tone, making complex responsibilities accessible to its intended audience. In sum, SO YOU WANT TO BE A TEACHER succeeds as a sincere guide for young readers considering the profession, while offering adults a timely reminder that education rests as much on human relationships as it does on curriculum and instruction."

"As a teacher this book is a great resource for students exploring and researching different jobs they may be interested in. This book covers different nuances of the job in an easy and digestible way for students. Great read!"

"I love that this book presented how teachers guide young people to learn themselves but also that a teacher plants a seed that may not come to fruition for years to come. This book shows that a teacher can also be your biggest supporter and can do so much more than helping you learn."

"This book continues so much factual information about being a teacher. As one myself, I was impressed with how thoroughly it described the things that people have no true understanding of. I love the way the author tells the nuances of what is going on behind the scenes that most people have not once even tried to figure out how the tasks are accomplished."

"This book/guide to being a teacher is absolutely awesome for kids of all ages! There isn’t just a sentence or two, there are pages filled with tons of information about what a teacher is and what they do everyday. Perfect for kiddos who want to be a teacher when they grow up!"

"Another wonderful So You Want to Be book! As a retired teacher, this book was spot on regarding requirements and how a teacher operates. I enjoyed the ending stories of great people from the profession. The book also lists requirements and vocabulary used in teaching. The illustrations were beautiful."

"SO YOU WANT TO BE A TEACHER is a delightful introduction to one of the world's most important professions.

Linda Soules invites young readers into the everyday life of the classroom and show how teaching is built on creativity, patience, as well as a genuine desire to help others learn.

It's beautiful how Soules explains the profession in an engaging way while keeping the language and writing style age-appropriate. The author breaks down concepts such as lesson planning, classroom management, and supporting students into ideas that children can easily understand.

I also love how the read presents teaching as an exciting career full of opportunities to make a difference."

"I love this series and this book in particular is so helpful. I highly recommend this book for any who have kids who are interested in becoming teachers. Great read!!"

"SO YOU WANT TO BE A TEACHER has a bright, friendly energy that makes learning about teachers feel fun. It shows why and gives a peek into how teachers can make such a big difference every single day.

The short read introduces the idea of teaching through simple language and cheerful illustrations that keep the pages lively. I smiled at how it celebrates all the little things teachers do, as well as the big ones like believing in children even when they’re lost and cheering them on when they finally figure something out.

The writing is clear and playful. The book shows that beyond lessons, teachers inspire confidence, encourage curiosity, and help children discover their own potential. I love this positive message and feel it gives the book an uplifting tone while helping young readers appreciate the impact educators have on communities."

"This book by Linda Soules is an eye-opening depiction of what it really means to be a teacher. We read this with my best friend's son, and he was in awe of what it truly means to be a teacher. It changed his whole perspective that the only thing they do is teach. We shared our own experiences of teachers who we believe changed our paths after reading the chapter on that. Learning of the changes teachers like Maria Montessori and Jaime Escalante made was eye-opening for me as well. Reading this made me realize that teachers are heroes in their own right."

"Thoughtful and engaging look at the teaching profession that shows both the joys and the challenges of being an educator. The writing is encouraging, honest, and respectful of young readers, making it a great choice for kids interested in teaching. All the moms at our school agree this is a wonderful book that helps children appreciate teachers and the important role they play. A fantastic addition to any home, classroom, or school library."

"This is a wonderful introduction to the teaching profession for young readers. Rather than simply describing what teachers do, the book shows the dedication, creativity, and compassion that go into helping students learn and grow. I especially appreciated the 'day in the life' section, which gives an honest look at both the rewarding moments and the challenges teachers face.

The profiles of famous educators like Anne Sullivan, Maria Montessori, Jaime Escalante, and Confucius add meaningful historical context, while the discussion of different types of teaching careers shows that there are many ways to make a difference.

The illustrations are engaging, and the writing is accessible without talking down to children. Whether a child is already interested in becoming a teacher or simply wants to learn more about the profession, this book is informative, encouraging, and full of respect for educators. A great addition to any home, classroom, or school library."

"This is an excellent book for anyone considering the education field. It describes the day in the life of a teacher, the rewards of being a teacher and the not so fun parts.

There is a section on what it takes to become a teacher. It talks about what a person would need educationally but also other important qualities.

The pictures complimented the text. For me, that made the reading even more enjoyable. I think this book would be a great gift for someone considering becoming a teacher or someone who might need to learn what options they have."

"This is such a great book, and not just for children. I think anyone wanting to become a teacher could benefit from the information provided. This book shows the good and the bad, the ugly and the rewarding. It also tells the truth about the profession that I love. I really liked the extra information added at the end such as qualities of a good teacher, famous teachers in history, and fun facts."

"Was not what I expected!! So You Want To Be A Teacher opened my eyes to the world of teaching, I was skeptical at first seeing the ai illustrations and the long amount of pages but the writing made up for it. As I read, I honestly learned something new almost every page. I liked the author’s choice of wording and phrasing. The book really dug deep into the behind the scenes of the life of a teacher and I genuinely have more respect for my educators. The book has 43 pages and at first I thought that was way more then needed but the author covered everything to the daily routine of teachers to the fun facts and interesting skill sets teacher have. I will be reading more books in this series and probably more professions I am interested in. I would recommend this book for people interested in teaching, students (being one myself), and readers who love to learn but really everyone!"

"As a teacher, I think this book gives kids a great idea of what the job looks like. I like how it reviews the different kinds of teacher jobs and what they look like. It is also pretty spot on when it talks about the best and the hardest parts of the job. Great book for kids to learn about a new career!"

"We picked up So You Want To Be A Teacher: A Kids' Guide to Education, Classroom Life, Lesson Planning, and the Inspiring Mentors Who Help Young Minds Learn, Grow, and Shine for my son who constantly plays 'school' in his room, and he absolutely loved it! At 43 pages, it is the perfect length to keep a young reader engaged without feeling overwhelmed.

The book does a fantastic job of breaking down what classroom life is really like, covering everything from lesson planning to the impact of inspiring mentors. The tone is warm, encouraging, and easy for kids to understand. It really helps children see the value of education and what it takes to help young minds grow and shine. Highly recommended for any child who dreams of standing in front of a classroom one day!"

"This book gives kids a fun and real look at what teachers really do and why teaching is such an important job. It’s easy for children to understand and does a good job of showing the creativity, caring and patience that goes into being a teacher. This would be a great book for any child who has ever said, 'I want to be a teacher when I grow up!'"

"As a teacher, thank you! This book covers topics that most books skip: effective classroom management and building strong relationships. It also reminds everyone that a teacher is at the core of everyone's success. A practical guide to the realities of the classroom."

"Very informative and just all around good book about teaching. I was left with a very positive feeling. My father became a teacher after 20+years in the Air Force, my sister is a teacher, and I changed careers after 20 years in accounting and now work as admin support at a high school. This book really resonated with me."

"Everyone should read this book! Being a retired teacher, of course I am biased, but Linda Soules gets it right!!! Teaching is about building relationships, not only about lesson plans, meetings, grading papers. Dedicated teachers put their heart and soul into their students for modest pay, but for much greater rewards. The book covers so much within these pages, how teachers worry about students, how they know that students have pressures and worries, that teachers are humans with limits on what they can do, but they keep trying anyway. This book brought me to tears and made me smile because it captured the essence of the job. Teaching leads to every other job. If you want to give your child's teacher a gift, give this book-it's worth it."

"I am an adult who works at an elementary school and who is working towards possibly becoming a teacher. I think this is such a great book, gives so many details about a teacher’s role in a child’s life. Also so many details about what becoming a teacher entails. And to find out this is part of a series where there are books about other career paths is awesome. Very good books for young children and even younger/older adults to read. I will be reading other books in the series."