Heroes: Books For Kids
Children’s literature has many notable options when it comes to heroes. To help you find the right books for you and your young reader, we’ve compiled a list of the best kids books about heroes.
Our list includes board books, picture books, and chapter books. Board books are best for babies and toddlers from ages newborn to 2 or 3. Picture books are generally great options for toddlers and for preschool and kindergarten age children. Picture books are especially enjoyable for adults to read aloud with young kids. The chapter books on our list are generally best for elementary through early middle school age tween kids. You can filter to sort by the best book type for your kid, and you can also use our table of contents to jump to particular topics you think your kid will enjoy.
When it comes to children’s stories about heroes, there are a variety of titles. This list covers everything, from classics like The Wall to popular sellers like El Deafo to some of our favorite hidden gems like Supertruck.
We hope this list of kids books about heroes can be a helpful resource for parents, teachers, and others searching for a new book! As you explore the list, please comment below to let us know what books you would add.
Top 10 Books About Heroes
“Manny stood up. And then he did the bravest, most courageous, kindest thing he ever could have done. He said: Stop It.” Manny is a super hero after school every day, wearing a different color cape and conquering the fiercest monsters his imagination can devise, but it turns out his invisible cape he wears to school is the most powerful. The power and confidence practice and imagination can give you, and the reminder that once you stand up for someone, others will most likely follow and back you up is comforting, and who knows when you might make a new best friend. The illustrations in this book are modern and fun, and the message is spectacular.
New York Times bestselling author Kelly DiPucchio and illustrator Stephanie Graegin bring a lionhearted new hero to life in this tender, sparkling story about standing up for what’s right—and finding your inner superpowers. Every day after school, Manny saves the world from formidable foes. I AM FEARLESS! I AM STRONG! I AM BRAVE! I AM POWERFUL! I AM INVINCIBLE! Zombie bears, evil cloud monsters, and alien robots with laser beam eyes are no match for Super Manny. But when Manny encounters a real-life nemesis in the school cafeteria, will he be able to summon his superhero strength to save the day?
This book talks about how superheroes have powers that could cause them to do crazy things if they were having a bad day, but they choose to do the right thing and act like superheroes should. This is a great book to demonstrate what you can do to regulate your emotions, and I love that it shows superheroes doing this, as a good standard for kids to emulate. It’s ok to have a bad day, but it’s what you do with your emotions that matters.
All kids have trouble getting a grip on their emotions, sometimes—even young superheroes! But what do they do when they’re having a bad day? Colorful action-packed illustrations and a dynamite rhyming text reveal the many ways superheroes (and ordinary children, too) can resist the super-temptation to cause a scene when they’re sad, mad, frustrated, lonely, or afraid. From burning off steam on a bike or a hike, to helping others, this energetic picture book has plenty of fun ideas to help kids cope when they’re feeling overwhelmed.
Eliot Jones, Midnight Superhero is a fun book about a little boy Eliot who is a quiet little kid playing in his room by day and a masterful, brave superhero defending the world from injustice and danger by night. Most of Eliot’s abilities seem not to be superpowers as much as just skill—like stopping a high-powered jet on the world’s shortest runway. But Eliot must have super strength because he tows a ship to safety pulling it behind as he swims. This book is a fun book with a subtle message about not underestimating someone just because they might be a little quieter or introverted.
All the grown-ups comment that Eliot is “such a quiet little thing,” unaware that at night, when the clock strikes midnight, he becomes a superhero, and now he has received his most urgent mission yet, to help a group of scientists prevent a giant meteor from crashing into Earth.
“Batman created by Bob Kane with Bill Finger.”
With bold illustrations in primary colors this book has a nice variety of heroes; everyone from first responders to princesses to medical professionals to mothers. The rhyming text is consistent and keeps the pace brisk.
Toddlers will feel better about bedtime when they learn that superheroes, cowboys, princesses, and astronauts ALL have to sleep too! It’s bedtime for superheroes . . . and KIDS! Young ones will enjoy this sweet, short, rhyming story that lulls them to sleep with the promise that all their heroes are getting tucked into bed too. It’s the perfect story to choose for a peaceful bedtime ritual. And don’t miss the companion book - Even Superheroes Use the Potty - to help teach kids good bathroom habits. “Will ease little readers to restful states.”—Kirkus
My First Book of Super Powers introduces young readers to beloved DC super heroes and their awesome powers. Just as My First Book of Girl Power introduced young fans to female super heroes and their special powers, this book tackles DC’s popular male characters. From Superman’s super-strength and X-ray vision to the Flash’s super-speed to Aquaman’s ability to live under water, this exciting board book explains how each character’s powers make him unique and enable him to make the world a safer place. Classic DC art makes this as appealing to grownups as it is to the tiniest aspiring super heroes.
Tired of being overlooked because he is so small, Dexter, a big-hearted dog with big dreams transforms himself into a superhero.
It’s potty time for superheroes, firefighters, ninjas, soldiers, and KIDS!
Young ones will enjoy this funny, rhyming story that teaches great bathroom habits with the promise that all their heroes use the potty too. And the book comes with stickers and a bathroom reward chart, so good potty habits can be celebrated each time kids put the lid down, flush, and wash their hands! It’s a book-and-sticker package that will help parents achieve toilet-training harmony.
And don’t miss the companion book—Even Superheroes Have to Sleep!—to help restless kids settle in at night.
A boy asks Captain Mighty what it takes to become a hero. There’s a costume to choose and a power to develop. But most of all, it takes smarts and heart! It’s not long before the boy defeats the local villain, Turbo Troll, and earns his new name: the Silver Cyclone! This rollicking read-aloud will be a hit with kids and grown-ups alike!
Like the super-selling MY FIRST SUPERMAN, MY FIRST BATMAN, and MY FIRST WONDER WOMAN books, SUPER HEROES A,B,C, 1,2,3 will appeal to comic book-fan Dads; lovers of bold, classic art; and their babies, toddlers, and pre-schoolers A is for Aquaman and B is for Batmobile in this cool, colorful board book that’s sure to make reading time lots of fun for dads. DC’s super heroes—from Superman and Batman to Green Lantern, the Flash, Wonder Woman, and many other favorites—illustrate the alphabet and numbers for budding fans. The classic comic book art makes this a great-looking package.
Books About Heroes and Superheroes
“Manny stood up. And then he did the bravest, most courageous, kindest thing he ever could have done. He said: Stop It.” Manny is a super hero after school every day, wearing a different color cape and conquering the fiercest monsters his imagination can devise, but it turns out his invisible cape he wears to school is the most powerful. The power and confidence practice and imagination can give you, and the reminder that once you stand up for someone, others will most likely follow and back you up is comforting, and who knows when you might make a new best friend. The illustrations in this book are modern and fun, and the message is spectacular.
New York Times bestselling author Kelly DiPucchio and illustrator Stephanie Graegin bring a lionhearted new hero to life in this tender, sparkling story about standing up for what’s right—and finding your inner superpowers. Every day after school, Manny saves the world from formidable foes. I AM FEARLESS! I AM STRONG! I AM BRAVE! I AM POWERFUL! I AM INVINCIBLE! Zombie bears, evil cloud monsters, and alien robots with laser beam eyes are no match for Super Manny. But when Manny encounters a real-life nemesis in the school cafeteria, will he be able to summon his superhero strength to save the day?
This book talks about how superheroes have powers that could cause them to do crazy things if they were having a bad day, but they choose to do the right thing and act like superheroes should. This is a great book to demonstrate what you can do to regulate your emotions, and I love that it shows superheroes doing this, as a good standard for kids to emulate. It’s ok to have a bad day, but it’s what you do with your emotions that matters.
All kids have trouble getting a grip on their emotions, sometimes—even young superheroes! But what do they do when they’re having a bad day? Colorful action-packed illustrations and a dynamite rhyming text reveal the many ways superheroes (and ordinary children, too) can resist the super-temptation to cause a scene when they’re sad, mad, frustrated, lonely, or afraid. From burning off steam on a bike or a hike, to helping others, this energetic picture book has plenty of fun ideas to help kids cope when they’re feeling overwhelmed.
Eliot Jones, Midnight Superhero is a fun book about a little boy Eliot who is a quiet little kid playing in his room by day and a masterful, brave superhero defending the world from injustice and danger by night. Most of Eliot’s abilities seem not to be superpowers as much as just skill—like stopping a high-powered jet on the world’s shortest runway. But Eliot must have super strength because he tows a ship to safety pulling it behind as he swims. This book is a fun book with a subtle message about not underestimating someone just because they might be a little quieter or introverted.
All the grown-ups comment that Eliot is “such a quiet little thing,” unaware that at night, when the clock strikes midnight, he becomes a superhero, and now he has received his most urgent mission yet, to help a group of scientists prevent a giant meteor from crashing into Earth.
Bedtime for Batman - “Batman created by Bob Kane with Bill Finger.”
Even Superheroes Have to Sleep - Grammy - With bold illustrations in primary colors this book has a nice variety of heroes; everyone from first responders to princesses to medical professionals to mothers. The rhyming text is consistent and keeps the pace brisk.
My First Book of Superpowers - My First Book of Super Powers introduces young readers to beloved DC super heroes and their awesome powers. Just as My First Book of Girl Power introduced young fans to female super heroes and their special powers, this book tackles DC’s popular male characters. From Superman’s super-strength and X-ray vision to the Flash’s super-speed to Aquaman’s ability to live under water, this exciting board book explains how each character’s powers make him unique and enable him to make the world a safer place. Classic DC art makes this as appealing to grownups as it is to the tiniest aspiring super heroes.
Dex: The Heart of a Hero - Tired of being overlooked because he is so small, Dexter, a big-hearted dog with big dreams transforms himself into a superhero.
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Books About Heroes and Superpowers
When the city is hit by a colossal snowstorm, only one superhero can save the day. But who is this mysterious hero, and why does he disappear once his job is done? Find out in this snowy tale about a little truck with a very big job, the second of Steve Savage’s vehicle-based picturebooks.
Even superheroes slip up and err. When that happens, do they complain or give up in despair? NO! Whether they’ve nabbed the wrong guy by mistake or bashed into a planet while zooming through space, all superheroes ‘fess up their mess-up and keep on saving the world in the most super way! This follow-up to Even Superheroes Have Bad Days teaches kids another humorous lesson in overcoming adversity.
Anyone can be a superhero and this guidebook will show you how! Just follow six easy steps and you’ll be saving the world in no time.
Join an aspiring hero as he selects a secret identity, chooses a power, and much, much more. But be warned: it isn’t easy being super. And sometimes the greatest acts of heroism need a helping hand to get off the ground. Kristy Dempsey’s rollicking text, coupled with Mark Fearing’s expressive, cartoon-style illustrations will have readers laughing all the way to infinity and beyond!
El Deafo - The author recounts in graphic novel format her experiences with hearing loss at a young age, including using a bulky hearing aid, learning how to lip read, and determining her “superpower.”
Camp Hero Double Trouble - Ellie is excited to go to Camp Hero, where the motto is: Where Super Friendships are Made! But when Ellie’s cabinmates, superhero twins Mona and Leona, give her the cold shoulder, Ellie decides to use her parents’ latest invention to get them to like her. The invention works too well, and the twins start fighting over Ellie! Can Ellie stop their double trouble and find out why they weren’t friendly to her in the first place?
Hermes and the Horse with Wings - Zeus and the Olympians are tasked with finding a magical horse in this Heroes in Training adventure. When Zeus meets a young boy named Hermes, he claims to have their next quest from Pythia, the Oracle at Delphi. But he wants something for the information: Zeus must hand over the winged sandals he took from Perseus after their last battle. What he doesn’t know is that Perseus had stolen those sandals from someone…Hermes! Could those sandals be another magical object? When Hermes starts to fly, Zeus knows they have found another Olympian for their group—and Hermes lets Zeus know their next adventure will be to “find the force that sings.” Since Pythia never tells them exactly the right words (her glasses tend to get a little foggy), they figure out that they are supposed to find “the horse with wings.” With the help of a reluctant Hermes and another new boy named Ron, the Olympians are off in search of a winged horse—with a few surprises along the way!
Captain Awesome Takes Flight - Captain Awesome battles an evil flight attendant who’s trying to stop him from going on vacation in the nineteenth adventure of the Sunnyview Superhero Squad! When Eugene McGillicudy finds himself at the airport, things seem pretty normal at first—and pretty boring—until Eugene bumps into a flight attendant and has a sudden realization. That flight attendant isn’t just any flight attendant. She’s the evil Fun E. Racer, and she’s here to stop Captain Awesome from going on vacation! With easy-to-read language and illustrations on almost every page, the Captain Awesome chapter books are perfect for beginning readers!
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Books About Heroes and Rescue
The fire alarm sounds. The firefighter jumps in the truck and races to a daring rescue! Get ready for an adventure as Laura Godwin and Julian Hector celebrate one of our bravest everyday heroes in this board-book edition for little hands. Praise for This is the Firefighter (hardcover edition) “With its swift action, catchy verse, and appropriate palette (red, white, blue, and flame), this should find good use among preschool vehicle enthusiasts and new readers as well as in the ‘community helpers’ unit.” -The Horn Book
Although she has battled supervillains, Ellie has recently become scared of the dark, so when she is invited to a Halloween sleepover at her best friend’s house she is apprehensive—but when the villainous Fairy Frightmare sprinkles the girls with bad dream dust, trapping them all inside their nightmares, Ellie must squash her own fears to rescue her friends.
Since becoming Kid Normal, Murph Cooper and the Super Zeroes – fellow students with arguably less-than-useful talents like the ability to conjure tiny horses from thin air – have been catching bad guys all over the place. But being a hero isn’t easy, especially when you can’t tell anyone about your epic adventures and your classmates still don’t believe you’ve got what it takes. And then, far away in a top-secret prison, the world’s most feared supervillain breaks his thirty-year silence. His first words? “Bring Kid Normal to me!” This supervillain was responsible for stealing the powers from some of the greatest Heroes Alliance members of all time. Does Murph have what it takes to bring him down? With black-and-white illustrations throughout, this laugh-out-loud story proves that heroes come in all shapes and sizes.
Gods of the North - Odin, the ruler of the Asgardians, has an important mission for Demon. Goldbristle, the gods’ prized shining boar, is losing his light. Now Demon must travel to Asgard in the North to search this cold, snowy land for anything that might cure this beast.
The Unicorn Emergency - When he returns to Olympus from Asgard, Demon must calm a groggy volcano monster while figuring out what is wrong with the unicorns.
Kid Normal - When Murph Cooper begins his new school several weeks into the year, he can’t help but feel a bit out of his depth. And it’s not because he’s worried about where to sit, making friends, and fitting in. It’s because his mom has accidentally enrolled him at a school for superheroes. And unlike his fellow students, who can control the weather or fly or conjure tiny horses from thin air, Murph has no special abilities whatsoever. But Murph’s totally normal abilities might just be what the world needs. Because not far away is a great big bad guy who is half man and half wasp, and his mind is abuzz with evil plans . . . and when he comes after the best and the brightest, it’s up to Murph to be the real hero. With black-and-white illustrations throughout, this laugh-out-loud story proves that heroes come in all shapes and sizes.
Dragon's Green - “The first book in a middle grade series about three young heroes who go on a quest to save a collection of magical books from an evil villain who plans to dominate the world”—
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Books About Heroes and Adventure
Welcome back the perfect pug-and-pig pair: Percy and Petunia. The two besties are inseparable—until Petunia wins a blue ribbon at the fair. Suddenly she’s too busy to play anymore. So when lonely Percy finds a faded comic book, he takes on a new persona: THUNDER PUG! But what’s a superhero without a sidekick? Will a little “Pink Lightning” (aka Petunia) come to his rescue?
An instruction manual for aspiring superheroes that follows the adventures of action-figure Captain Magma and his sidekick/owner Lava Boy as they outsmart a villainous dinosaur, evade a bee, and save a worm from certain destruction.
A daring dog takes a whirlwind tour of Rome in search of freedom in new picture book from beloved storyteller Mac Barnett and masterful illustrator Claire Keane
Paolo the dachshund is trapped. Though he lives in Rome, a city filled with history and adventure, he is confined to a hair salon. Paolo dreams of the sweet life—la dolce vita—in the Eternal City. And then, one day, he escapes! Paolo throws himself into the city, finding adventure at every turn. Join our hero as he discovers the wonders of Rome: the ruins, the food, the art, the opera, and—of course—the cats. Readers will cheer the daring of this bighearted dog, whose story shows that even the smallest among us can achieve great things.
Perseus and the Monstrous Medusa - Perseus and the Olympians face off against the evil, nasty Medusa, who can turn them all to stone with just one look.
The Sandman and the War of Dreams - When Pitch and Katherine go missing, the Man in the Moon recruits the sleepy but clever Sandman to aid the Guardians’ cause in an adventure that finds them struggling to convince their new member to accept a more optimistic perspective. By the creator of the best-selling The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore.
Jack Frost - The Guardians’ powers are put to the ultimate test in their final battle in this conclusion to the epic chapter book series from William Joyce. When we last saw the Guardians, they were celebrating their victory during Bright Night, the final great Battle of the Moon, where they defeated Pitch once and for all. Or so they thought. Now, many years later, the Guardians have settled into their final selves, embracing their public images and the Earth Holidays. But the world has not been without evil since Pitch’s imprisonment. First there was the World War, then The Crash which has led to what the humans call a Great Depression. All the Guardians feel the weight of these events, but Jack Frost—now half human, half of his former self Nightlight—feels it the most. Jack’s transition from Nightlight to Guardian was not an easy one. Always inclined to keep to himself, Jack has become especially isolated from the other Guardians since his transformation. Yet it is Jack who Ombric Shalazar (once a great wizard, now known as Father Time) trusts with a tremendous secret. But for Jack to fully understand this secret, he must revisit his past—and finally tell his story. Jack’s story, however, isn’t the only one to be reopened; an old enemy whose chapter we thought closed will reappear and with him bring a darkness and destruction that will test the Guardians like never before. It’s a battle of superlatives—the worse fighting the greatest, but where, oh where, is Jack?
Toothiana, Queen of the Tooth Fairy Armies - When orphaned Katherine learns that the teeth collected by the scorned Tooth Fairy contain memories of childhood, she enlists the help of the Guardians to get her tooth back and remember her parents.
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Books About Heroes and Monsters
Princess Magnolia is excited. Excited and nervous. She’s going to the Interkingdom Science Fair today to present her poster about seeds and plants, and when she arrives, she sees that her friends are there too! Princess Honeysuckle made a mole habitat, Princess Sneezewort has built a blanket fort, and Tommy Wigtower has a talking volcano that’s saying “EAAAAT!” Wait, what? A surprise goo monster makes this a job for the Princess in Black, and the Princess in Blankets is on the scene to lend a hand. But will two masked heroes be enough to save the science fair? A little scientific problem-solving—and a lot of princess power—will make the sixth entry in the New York Times bestselling series a smash hit.
Zeus and his friends discover another Olympian who might be able to help in their quest to defeat King Cronus in this Heroes in Training adventure.
With a clue from their trusty oracle, Pythia, Zeus and his Olympian friends are off to the “Land of Grapes,” where they discover a festival. The headline act is Dion and the Goat Guys, and Zeus has a funny feeling this Dion guy might be one of them. Athena points out that this Dion guy is the right age, and he’s definitely not acting like a regular kid. Finally, Dion and the Goat Guys take a break, and Zeus and the other Olympians approach him.
Zeus informs him that he and the others are Olympians, and they think Dion might be one too. Dion (short for Dionysus, he tells them) starts to brag that he wouldn’t be surprised, because he has awesome talents and magic powers. Before the Olympians can ask him about his powers, some of the crowd members start to throng the Olympians. Are they really Olympians? Are they really going to defeat King Cronus? Dion looks kind of peeved about this, and the next thing the Olympians know, they are in a field somewhere, puzzled and not sure what happened.
What kind of magical powers does this Dion kid actually have? And will he be more of a help—or a pain—in their ultimate quest to defeat King Cronus once and for all?
Zeus and his friends try to free Briar, Kottos, and Gyes from Tartarus so they can finally beat Cronus once and for all in this Heroes in Training adventure. The fourteen Olympians and Ron are headed toward Olympus. Ron is telling them the rumors that the Titans have all escaped Tartarus and are gearing up with Cronus for a final battle with the Olympians. When they reach the sea, Oceanus attacks them by surprise. They are almost washed away by a tidal wave when mysterious woman appears and saves them. It is Gaia, the wife of Uranus—and grandmother to Zeus and most of the Olympians. Gaia is on the side of the Olympians, partly because she believes that they will be better for the planet than Cronus, but also because she is angry with her son. He has imprisoned his three brothers: Briar, Kottos, and Gyes. She says if the Olympians free them from Tartarus, they will help the Olympians defeat Cronus. But can the three brothers be trusted? And can the Olympians defeat Cronus once and for all?
The Werewolf Bully - When the Moon is full Frankenstein Elementary is disrupted by Harriet the werewolf and her gang of were-bullies, and tonight they have a new target, a mummy (who is actually a human boy wrapped in toilet paper)—so Brian the zombie and his monster friends come up with a plan to protect the human boy and defeat the bullies.
The Princess in Black and the Perfect Princess Party - Inconvenient monster alarms, a sparkly array of princess guests, and spot-on slapstick pacing make for a party readers will celebrate. Today is Princess Magnolia’s birthday party, and she wants everything to be perfect. But just as her guests are arriving . . . Brring! Brring! The monster alarm! Princess Magnolia runs to the broom closet, ditches her frilly clothes, and becomes the Princess in Black! She rushes to the goat pasture, defeats the monster, and returns to the castle before her guests discover her secret. But every time Princess Magnolia is about to open her presents, the monster alarm rings again. And every time she rushes back—an inside-out dress here, a missing shoe there—it gets harder to keep the other princesses from being suspicious. Don’t those monsters understand that now is not a good time for an attack?
The Princess in Black - Hiding her secret identity as a monster-fighting superhero, Princess Magnolia interrupts her fancy tea with the unsuspecting Duchess Wigtower to stop a big blue monster from endangering her kingdom’s goats. By the author of the Newbery Honor-winning Princess Academy.
Trojan Horse Power - Nobody told Odysseus about the monster truck competition in Troy, but when he tries to join the fun he finds that hero ThunderTrucks are not allowed in—but Odysseus comes up with a clever plan to get past the dump truck cards and enter the contest.
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Books About Heroes and School
In the fifth, Super Turbo book, there’s a new animal in school and the class pets are convinced she’s a fire-breathing dragon!
You know Turbo as the hamster sidekick from the Captain Awesome books. But ever wonder what actually goes on when the last school bell rings and Turbo is left to his own devices? He’s SUPER TURBO and he’s here to fight evil in and out of the classroom!
There’s a new class pet at Sunnyview Elementary. And since all the students seem so excited about this new pet, Turbo can’t wait to meet her. Until he realizes that she’s a fire-breathing dragon! Now the Superpet Superhero League must figure out what this new pet is really doing in the school. And if she’s evil…can the superpets stop her?
With easy-to-read language, illustrations, and comic panels on almost every page, the Super Turbo chapter books are perfect for emerging readers!
When Chub leads his cadre of middle school misfits in an effort to bring down the evil empire led by his nemesis Arch, he inadvertently becomes the school hero.
An extra ordinary boy ends up at an extraordinary school for children with super powers in the first book in a new series from the author of Diary of a 6th Grade Ninja.
Recess Warriors 2: Bad Guy Is a Two-Word Word - The Recess Warriors face off in another epic showdown on the playground in this new graphic novel from the creator of the hit series Diary of a 6th Grade Ninja.
Zack Delacruz - Zack Delacruz is unnoticed at his middle school—and that’s just the way he likes it. But a school assembly, a typhoon of spit, and an uncharacteristic moment of bravery are all it takes to change everything. Suddenly Zack is in charge of the class fundraiser. Worse, his partner is the school’s biggest bully! If they don’t sell all the chocolate bars, there will be no dance for the sixth grade. Zack never wanted to be a hero, but with his classmates’ hopes on the line, can he save the day?
Recess Warriors: Hero Is a Four-Letter Word - Recess is ready to rumble in this exciting graphic novel, where heroes and villains face off in epic battles on the playground!
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- Top 10 Heroes Books
- + superheroes (7)
- + superpowers (7)
- + rescue (7)
- + adventure (7)
- + monsters (7)
- + school (6)
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Did you enjoy our heroes book recommendations? Did we miss one of your favorites? Let us know in the comments below!