So You Want To Be An Explorer (So You Want To Be A...)
About
FINALIST — 2026 Literary Global Children's Book Awards (Adventure Category)
The map has edges. Beyond them, someone wrote "here there be dragons" — not because they knew what was there, but because they didn’t. You are not frightened by the edge of the map. You are drawn to it. That is not a character flaw. That is a calling.
So You Want To Be An Explorer takes young readers ages 10–14 inside one of the oldest and most demanding pursuits in human history — not the romanticized version, but the real one. The years of scientific training and physical preparation that happen before a single expedition departs. The specific discipline of moving through environments that were not designed for human survival — reading terrain, managing risk, making decisions with incomplete information and no guarantee of rescue. The team of scientists, navigators, survival specialists, and local guides working in careful coordination so that what they find can be brought back, documented, and shared with a world that has never seen it. The expedition that goes exactly to plan — and the one that demands everything the team has and then asks for more.
This is a book about what explorers actually do: the scientific disciplines they master so that every journey yields knowledge rather than just experience, the navigation and survival skills they develop to move safely through places where safety is never guaranteed, the documentation and research methods they use to ensure what they discover becomes part of the permanent human record, and the extraordinary mental resilience they bring to conditions of isolation, physical hardship, and uncertainty that most people will never encounter. It’s also a book about what the work costs, what it reveals, and why the people who do it say that standing somewhere no human has ever stood — or understanding something no human has ever understood — changes your relationship with the world permanently.
Inside, young readers will discover:
- What a real explorer’s preparation and expedition life actually looks like — from scientific training to remote fieldwork to bringing discoveries home
- The range of modern exploration — from deep ocean trenches to polar ice to uncharted jungle to the edges of our own solar system
- The physical and psychological demands of operating in extreme environments — and how explorers prepare body and mind to meet them
- The history of exploration and the remarkable figures whose journeys expanded the boundaries of what humanity knows about its own planet
- 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 An Explorer 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 unmapped and waiting. For the kid who reads every map to its edges and immediately wonders what lies beyond them.
There are still places no human has ever seen. There are still questions no human has yet answered. The next explorer to change what we know about this world is out there right now. Maybe that explorer is you.
Ages 10–14 · Nonfiction · Careers & Professions · Illustrated
Praise for this book
"If you've got a kid who's always asking 'what's over there?', this book is a great place to start. It reminds kids (and parents) that exploration isn't over. It's in the deep ocean, under our feet, up in the treetops, and in tiny worlds we can't see without tools.
This book works best as a guide for young readers stepping into the role of an explorer. Linda Soules introduces frontiers that still contain blank spaces, then explains what explorers do in practice: observe, measure, record, and bring knowledge back. It moves from striking facts (like how little of the seafloor has been mapped) to hands-on missions a kid can try, mapping a neighborhood, following a stream, and starting a field notebook. It also includes brief snapshots of figures such as Sacagawea and Shackleton, emphasizing that exploration depends on preparation, teamwork, and decision-making, not only equipment.
Soules' writing is clear, energetic, and full of 'you can do this' momentum. The best pages feel like a coach and a storyteller teamed up. For parents, it's easy to use as a springboard for weekend walks, museum visits, and simple 'what did you notice?' conversations.
In the end, this book lands a powerful message for ages 10-12: the world still holds mysteries, and the best explorers aren't reckless. They're prepared, respectful, and responsible with what they find. It's a strong pick for families who want a nonfiction read that nudges kids off the screen and into noticing the real world."
"So You Want to Be an Explorer by Linda Soules continues the So You Want to Be series. The world we live in is amazing, but so much of it has never been seen. If you’ve ever dreamed of being the next big explorer, this is the book for you. It will show you exactly what being an explorer is all about and what it takes to become one. It details the years of training, the survival skills you’ll need to build, and the physical and mental toughness needed to explore some of the farthest-flung and most secret places in the whole world. You’ll visit the deepest oceans where light never penetrates, subzero ice fields, the deepest, thickest jungles, and even the solar system in this fascinating guide that will prep any teen for a career in exploration.
So You Want to Be an Explorer is another amazing book in Linda Soules' wonderful series. It’s written in plain language, breaking down a complex career and explaining it simply. This in-depth guide leaves readers in no doubt about what it takes to be an explorer. To most kids, it sounds like an exciting career, and it is, but not many realize that it’s not just a case of setting out with a map and a backpack. It takes years of training, and explorers have to be physically and mentally fit, too. Readers will learn about a typical day in the life of an explorer, the tools they’ll need, the kinds of environments they’ll be working in, and much more. The book is filled with amazing facts, and it answers every question a person might have, giving them everything they need to decide if this is the career for them or not. It’s tough to decide what you want to do with your life, and books like these are an excellent starting point to make that decision. I wish there had been books like this when I was at that stage of life! Another excellent addition to the series, highly recommended for any young reader who dreams of exploring places where no one has ever been before and of making that next great discovery."
"This book was an insightful way to think about what it means to be an explorer. It goes through what you need to do, and what tools you need to learn to use. I appreciated that it talked about the high points of being an explorer, but also the difficulties and challenges that many explorers face. It's such a vast and expansive type of job that I wasn't expecting how deep this book would go."
"This is a very interesting book on exploring the ocean, Antarctica, the rain forest and various other places on the earth. I liked the way it explained what an explorer does and how to document what he discovers. It was so interesting to learn how much we don't know about the earth."
"Absolutely love reading this book. Wish I would have had it back when I was a girl scout leader. This is the type of book that should be in every elementary library!"
"Great book that's fun and educational. Lots of information from the good to the bad parts of exploration."
"It gives a realistic look into those who would love to be an explorer someday, and shows that there is a need for explorers with so much undiscovered land and creatures left to be discovered and explored."
"Honestly I just love this book series. It’s so informative and really digs into the career. The pros and cons, how it affects the world, the reasons you might do it… this author just does a great job and has great illustrations to go with it."
"A excellent informational guide for a kid who wants to be an explorer. Nothing was left out."
"This book does a great job of showing kids that exploration isn't just about traveling far away, it's about curiosity and discovering the unknown. The illustrations are beautiful and really bring the idea of exploring different environments to life, from oceans to mountains. I also liked how it encourages kids to ask questions and see the world differently."
"This is a book that will grab your imagination and let you believe that you can truly be what you want to be when you grow up. It is age-appropriate, but detailed. It explores what an explorer is and the different kinds of exploration. It gives you fun facts about places we have explored. There is a section detailing what you need to do to begin your exploration journey. I also love that it gives additional resources so that you can further 'explore' the subject. One of my favorite parts of this book is the beautiful, colorful illustrations that tell the story alongside the author. Well done."
"This was a great book for my pre-teen son to read as we plan for our summer break. The illustrations really got him thinking about all the 'unexplored' places in the world and how he could make that approachable. This book also helped him understand the time horizon for exploration. It isn't always just a weekend but a lifestyle."
"It would make a great gift for a kid who loves exploring the outdoors or a scout. Five out of five. I will be reading others in this series."
"I loved the caves and just all the large views of beauty. I love the story and I love how it applies to life and was so great to share with my nephews and nieces."
"Very informative read for those wanting to put on their hiking boots and possibly discovering the world's next greatest find. Jam-packed with information and some great resources as well - if you're wanting to kick off a career as one searching for new lands, this read is without a doubt for you."
"So You Want to Be an Explorer by Linda Soules is a wonderful introduction to exploration for young readers. I especially appreciated how the book breaks down different aspects of exploring with detailed descriptions and engaging photographs that help children better understand the concepts being presented.
The author does an excellent job of making exploration feel accessible and exciting. Rather than simply inspiring curiosity, the book provides age-appropriate ways for children to begin exploring on their own, encouraging observation, discovery, and a love of learning. The combination of informative text and vivid visuals makes this both an educational and enjoyable read for its target audience.
I would recommend this book to parents, teachers, and young adventurers who are interested in learning more about the world around them."
"Another great book in this collection that gets kids excited about future careers. This book allows an inside look at the pros and cons of being an explorer--the excitement of discovery, the loneliness, etc. It also helps kids to see that they don't have to travel to the ends of the Earth or outer space to be able to explore new terrain or objects; they can find things in their nearby environments.
I love how these texts include book lists so children and families can encourage further reading on topics they are interested in."
"This is a fascinating read! The author describes exploration in an honest and compelling manner. This book is one of many in a series to aid children in deciding what to be in the future. I love that it includes steps to take today to begin exploring. There is also a page dedicated to further learning opportunities. I recommend this book for parents and teachers."