So You Want To Be A Journalist by Linda Soules Book Review
Author: Linda Soules
Genre: Children’s Non-Fiction / Middle Grade
Year Published: 2026
Nerdection Rating:
“Nerdection Must Read”
So You Want To Be A Journalist by Linda Soules is a clear, sincere, and quietly inspiring nonfiction guide for young readers who are naturally curious about the world around them. It does not present journalism as something glamorous or easy. Instead, it shows the profession as patient, stubborn, ethical work built on listening closely, checking carefully, and caring enough to keep asking questions.
Spoiler-Free Plot
This is an illustrated career guide rather than a traditional story. The book walks readers through what journalists do, where they work, who they work with, and why the profession matters. It explains reporting as a process of gathering information, interviewing people, reading records, confirming facts, writing clearly, and publishing stories that help the public understand what is happening.
The book also introduces important tools like notebooks, phones, recorders, and public documents, while exploring the emotional and practical sides of the job. Readers learn about newsroom teamwork, local reporting, famous journalists, journalism vocabulary, and simple ways they can begin practicing these skills in their own communities.
My Take on So You Want To Be A Journalist
What I liked most about this book is that it understands journalism as a public service, not just a job about writing. The heart of the book is truth: how to find it, how to protect it, and how to share it responsibly. Soules gives young readers a strong sense that asking questions is not rude or annoying when it is done with care. It can be one of the most important things a person does.
The book is especially strong when it talks about local journalism. I appreciated how it shows that the “small” stories in a town can matter just as much as the big national headlines. A school board meeting, a city budget, a road problem, or a local official’s decision can deeply affect people’s daily lives. That message gives the book a grounded and meaningful quality.
The sections on ethics are also important. The book makes it clear that journalists should not invent quotes, accept hidden favors, or publish carelessly. It teaches that trust is not automatic; it is earned through accuracy, fairness, and patience. That is a valuable lesson for young readers, especially in a world where information moves quickly and not all of it is reliable.
The illustrations give the book a warm community feel, from newsroom scenes to interviews, homes, cafés, and town meetings. They help make the profession feel approachable without making it look too easy. The historical examples are also well chosen, showing how journalism can expose injustice, witness history, and change public understanding.
Overall, So You Want To Be A Journalist is a strong, timely entry in the series, with a message that feels both practical and important.
About The Author Of So You Want To Be A Journalist
Linda Soules is the author and creator of the So You Want To Be A… series, a growing collection of career-exploration books for readers ages 10–14 (and beyond!). The series is envisioned to span more than 180 titles in total, with 47 published to date and new releases on a steady cadence — covering everything from astronauts and marine biologists to magicians, stunt performers, and roller coaster designers. Her philosophy is straightforward: never talk down to kids. Young readers are smarter, more curious, and more capable than the publishing world often gives them credit for, and they deserve books that respect their intelligence while genuinely sparking their enthusiasm. Each title is written to pull back the curtain on a real career — its joys, its challenges, the path to get there — and to leave readers with the sense that the world is wider, more interesting, and more reachable than they imagined.
Before turning to children’s publishing, Linda spent 25 years in law and finance, advising hedge funds and sophisticated financial institutions on legal and regulatory matters — a career that taught her precision, discipline, and how to translate intricate subjects into language anyone can use. She brings that same clarity and care to every book she writes, paired with a deep belief that curiosity is the engine of a meaningful life. Linda lives in Seattle with her husband and two children, where the steady rhythm of family life, the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest, and the questions her own kids ask every day continue to fuel her work.
