Mighty Jack Books

Read Mighty Jack, Mighty Jack and the Goblin King, and Mighty Jack and Zita the Spacegirl in numbered order. The first book ends on a cliffhanger, and the second continues the same rescue story.

The third book is both Mighty Jack book #3 and a crossover with Zita the Spacegirl. Readers will understand Jack's plot after books #1–2, but reading the three-book Zita trilogy before the crossover gives the fullest introduction to its returning characters and world.

Sources: Macmillan's official Mighty Jack series page, Ben Hatke's official biography.

Jack is left with major caregiving responsibility while his single mother works, and money is tight. His sister Maddy is nonspeaking and autistic; she is central to the family and the magical plot rather than a background character.

Expect giant plants, monsters, swords, fantasy battles, kidnapping, dangerous rescues, and tense cliffhangers. Injuries and threats occur, but the expressive graphic art and odd creatures keep the tone adventurous for the publisher's ages 8–12 audience.