So You Want To Be An Inventor (So You Want To Be A...)
About
RECIPIENT of the Mom's Choice Award® Gold — Honoring Excellence
The idea comes at the wrong moment. In the shower, at three in the morning, in the middle of something else entirely. It arrives not as a plan but as a question: what if it worked differently? What if it didn’t have to work that way at all? That question — small, restless, refusing to be ignored — is where every invention in human history began.
So You Want To Be An Inventor takes young readers ages 10–14 inside one of the most expansive and most demanding pursuits on earth — not the lone-genius version, but the real one. The years of iteration that happen between the first sketch and the thing that finally works. The specific discipline of failing instructively — of understanding not just that something didn’t work but precisely why, and what that failure is trying to tell you. The team of engineers, designers, scientists, and patent attorneys working in careful coordination so that an idea that began as a question becomes something the world can actually hold in its hands. The prototype that almost solves it — and the version that finally does.
This is a book about what inventors actually do: the scientific principles they master so they can bend them toward something new, the design thinking they use to move from problem to solution without skipping the essential messy middle, the patent process that protects what they create, and the relentless creative persistence they bring to problems that everyone else has decided are either impossible or already solved. It’s also a book about what the work costs, what it demands, and why the people who do it say that the moment a thing they imagined becomes a thing that exists — there is no feeling like it anywhere.
Inside, young readers will discover:
- What a real inventor’s process looks like — from first question to working prototype to bringing something new into the world
- The science and engineering principles behind history’s most transformative inventions — and how understanding them unlocks new ones
- The creative and analytical demands of invention — and why the best inventors are equal parts dreamer and rigorous thinker
- The history of invention and the remarkable people who changed everyday life by refusing to accept that things had to stay the way they were
- 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 Inventor 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 begins with imagination and ends with something real. For the kid who looks at an ordinary object and immediately thinks of a better way — and feels something shift.
Every invention that changed the world was once just a question someone refused to stop asking. Maybe the next one starts with you.
Ages 10–14 · Nonfiction · Careers & Professions · Illustrated
Praise for this book
"So You Want To Be an Inventor by Linda Soules invites readers to imagine themselves as inventors, emphasizing curiosity and observation as the starting points for new ideas. It explains that invention is not about sudden inspiration but about noticing problems and asking how things might work better. The narrative walks readers through the process of experimentation, showing how early prototypes often fail and how those failures help shape better solutions. The book highlights how inventors work in a variety of spaces, from simple home workshops to professional laboratories, and introduces tools such as notebooks, prototypes, and modern technologies like 3D printing. It also explores the realities of the field, including the gap between an idea and a finished product, and the persistence required to keep improving. The book encourages readers to start small, observe the world around them, and take their first steps toward creating something new.
So You Want To Be an Inventor guides readers through complex concepts in a natural way, with pacing that moves from simple questions to more detailed explanations. The writing relies on direct address, posing questions that draw readers into the process and make the material interactive. Detailed, generated illustrations reinforce each idea and clarify how inventions take shape. The book also uses real-world examples and brief narratives to ground abstract concepts, making them easier for young readers to grasp. Repetition of key ideas, such as curiosity and persistence, reinforces the central message while maintaining consistency. Readers who enjoy hands-on thinking, problem-solving, and creative exploration will find Linda Soules' book especially helpful. The combination of educational themes and an encouraging, imaginative approach invites readers to see themselves as capable creators."
"The best quote for me, from the book is 'You need a place to think, materials to work with, and the willingness to make a really spectacular mess.'"
"This book was perfect for my pre-teen son. It kept him interested and I liked that it didn't only glorify the inventor's job. It told an honest account of a 'day in the life,' what is unexpected and even frustrating and how he could prepare now for an inventor job."
"I really enjoy this book series! It is so informative... Such a useful tool for students exploring different careers!"
"Another wonderful book in the series. Love how the illustrations include adults and kids working. Love how the famous inventors are not the typical people you hear about. Just a great inspiring career book."
"I like that this book walks you through the process of inventing and doesn't spare difficult terminology like 'patent' and also recommends further reading."
"This book captures the young inventor's imagination with great illustrations and even better explanations of who an inventor is and what she does. I learned quite a few new things reading this."
"I love this as a book geared to stimulate conversations."
"Recently found this series for my classroom and want to add more. The illustrations are well done and the information is given in a variety of formats. I love that a wide variety of reading levels can access this book."
"Honestly this is such a fun way to teach kids about the world of inventions!"
"This is a fun book that offers a new perspective on inventing, showing that it’s really about identifying problems and finding solutions. It’s a great choice for kids who love to create and think outside the box."
"A well presented book. It has all the insights a young reader needs to know with regards to being an innovator. The book prepares the reader for all ups and downs one faces and how to deal with them. The note from the author at the end is quite useful too."
"As a teacher, I highly recommend the book So You Want to Be an Inventor by Linda Soules for curious young readers who love to ask questions and think creatively. This engaging and educational book does an excellent job of introducing children to the exciting world of invention in a way that is both easy to understand and inspiring. Linda Soules explains the invention process with enthusiasm and clarity, helping students see that inventors are not just famous historical figures, but everyday problem-solvers who use creativity, persistence, and imagination to improve the world around them. The book encourages children to think critically, experiment with ideas, and never be afraid of making mistakes while learning. What I especially appreciated as an educator is how the book combines real-world information with encouragement and motivation. It introduces important STEM-related concepts in a fun and approachable way, making it a wonderful classroom resource for sparking discussions about science, engineering, and innovation. The writing keeps students engaged while also building confidence in their own ability to create and invent. This book is perfect for elementary and middle school readers, especially those who enjoy hands-on learning and dreaming big. So You Want to Be an Inventor is an inspiring guide that reminds children that great ideas can come from anyone; including them."
"I'd never thought that inventing is really just finding a problem and solving it."
"Reading So You Want To Be An Inventor with my son was such a fun experience! The book kept him curious and excited while also teaching some really creative ideas about inventing and problem-solving. We both loved how easy it was to read together, and it sparked so many conversations and 'what if' ideas afterward. A great read for kids who love to imagine and create!"
"My favorite aspect of this series is how genuine the writer is in her dedication to sharing the joys and hardships of each career with the reader. I loved learning about inventors and their work and agree this would be wonderful for middle grade readers. The kids will definitely be inspired to think and create!"
"Perfectly highlights how helpful curiosity, determination, and a lack of tolerance for things that could be worked a different way can all work together to help create something great."
"Very well written. Geared towards aspiring young minds who are dreaming of their future and figuring out where they fit in the world."
"Good inspiration for children to be creative. Very informative also to help them understand how to be a good inventor and all the steps to make their invention great."
"I have been very impressed with this series and this book was no different. The author writes in a way that allows the reader to completely understand the topic and everything that goes into the process of being an inventor in a way that kids can enjoy and feel challenged by. And the artwork is an excellent companion to the writing. Excellent job."
"This was an excellent read! This author has a wonderful series on different jobs that exist to inspire the generations to come.
This one is such a positive read-it explains and defines what the role of an inventor can entail. It gives a general overview, asks the reader questions to determine interest and even gives historical perspectives on past inventors of note, including those who received recognition well after their inventions were acknowledged.
The intro emphasizing curiosity above all else, the beautiful art work throughout and the glossary at the end really bring it home to all the curious future inventors."
"This is the third in this series I have gotten and it did not disappoint! I love how it lays out what a day might look like, what traits an inventor might have and it’s all done with beautiful pictures and written in a way young people are interested. This book even mentions an 11 year old inventor that helped fix the water problem in Flint, Michigan! Great series!"
"I enjoyed reading this book! Very educational, fun, and informative read. I view this book as being great for children, teenagers, and adults."
"I'm really impressed with how well-organized and informative this series of books are. The author's formula for helping readers truly understand what it is like to be an inventor is phenomenal. While I knew that it took a while for an invention to make it to consumers, I didn't realize how long it really took from the idea stage to implementation and the author helps the reader to understand that. I encourage anyone interested in becoming an inventor to read this book."