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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 continue to fuel her work.
Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite
Video games are awesome, right? But do you know who makes these games so much fun to play? It's the video game designers. Linda Soules brings young readers a book that delves into the world of video games with So You Want to Be a Video Game Designer. By being a video game designer, you can bring entire worlds to life with your own set of rules. This book explains how video game designers play the roles of architects, storytellers, psychologists, and scientists. Additionally, you will learn about in-game mechanics, the tools of the trade for a designer, the best aspects of being a designer, as well as its hardest aspects. You will also observe the daily life of a video game designer.
This is one of the best books for any preteen or young teenager who is a video game aficionado. It will help you learn how some of your favorite video games are made and by whom. Linda Soules has a knack for delving into the technical aspects of some unique career choices for professionals. So You Want to Be a Video Game Designer is another great example of that. It is short, to the point, and very informative. Young readers will learn to develop an interest in the fundamentals of being a video game designer. On top of it, the illustrations are colorful and capture the essence of the narrative to perfection. It's an enlightening book that sheds light on the world of video game creators. Highly recommended.
