So You Want To Be A Stunt Performer by Linda Soules

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Author: Linda Soules

Genre: Children’s Non-Fiction / Middle Grade

Year Published: 2026

Nerdection Rating:

“Nerdection Must Read”

So You Want To Be A Stunt Performer by Linda Soules is an exciting, thoughtful nonfiction guide for young readers who have ever watched an action scene and wondered how it was done. At first glance, the book looks like it is about danger, adrenaline, and movie magic. But what makes it stand out is how strongly it focuses on discipline, preparation, safety, teamwork, and respect for the body. It turns a glamorous career into something real without taking away the thrill.

Spoiler-Free Plot

This is an illustrated career guide that walks readers through the world of stunt performance. It explains what stunt performers actually do, where they work, what tools they use, and how dangerous-looking scenes are carefully planned before they reach the screen. The book covers everything from crash pads, airbags, wire rigs, fire protection, breakaway glass, fight choreography, vehicle stunts, and stunt doubles to the emotional and physical qualities needed for the job.

It also gives readers a look at a day in the life of a stunt performer, introduces famous figures in stunt history, and ends with practical steps young readers can take if they are curious about the field.

My Take on So You Want To Be A Stunt Performer

What I appreciated most about this book is how it balances excitement with responsibility. It understands why kids might be fascinated by stunt work, but it never treats danger casually. Instead, it repeats one of the most important ideas in the book: the goal is not to be reckless; the goal is to make something look dangerous while staying as safe as possible.

The strongest sections are the ones about preparation and the ability to say no. That message gives the book real weight. It teaches young readers that courage is not just jumping, falling, or fighting on camera. Sometimes courage is refusing to do something until the plan is safe enough. That is a powerful lesson, especially in a book aimed at curious, adventurous kids.

The illustrations are energetic and cinematic, which fits the subject perfectly. They all give the book a big-screen feeling while still showing the invisible work behind the spectacle. I also liked that the book includes acting, communication, physics, and teamwork as part of the profession, not just physical strength.

Overall, So You Want To Be A Stunt Performer is a fun, smart, and safety-conscious guide that gives stunt performers the respect they deserve.

About The Author Of So You Want To Be A Stunt Performer

Linda Soules writes the “So You Want To Be A…” series for ages 8–14 — illustrated nonfiction that meets curious children at the moment they begin asking what they want to be, and treats that question with the seriousness it deserves. The series now spans more than 180 titles, from astronaut to zookeeper, each one exploring not just what a career looks like but what it asks of the person who chooses it: the wonder, yes, and also the hard parts. A former investment management attorney with twenty-five years of practice in law and finance, Soules brings a researcher’s precision and a thinker’s respect for her young audience to every book. Her work has been recognized by Readers’ Favorite, BookLife Reviews, and other editorial sources.