The thrill and danger of superheroes will get any child or teenager excited to see what happens next. The heartfelt stories, courageous characters, and evil villains make each chapter an adventure into a new world. Whether your young reader enjoys unlikely underdogs, outrageous animals, or friendly robots, we have all the inspiring and unique superheroes they can imagine.
Here are 24 highly-recommended chapter books about superheroes for them to choose from.
1. Even Superheroes Make Mistakes
This inspiring children's book by Shelly Becker and Eda Kaban teaches the important lesson of learning from your mistakes. The reality is that even the best of us mess up sometimes, so when we do something wrong, we cannot give up or get mad, but try to learn and grow so next time we do better. This goes for superheroes too!
2. Ladybug Girl and Bumblebee Boy
This sweet and imaginative 24 book series by David Soman and Jacky Davis tells the story of two kids Lulu, Sam, and Bingo the dog. They play pretend on the playground and soon create their own superhero squad of buggy characters like Ladybug Girl and Bumblebee Boy.
3. Superheroes Are Everywhere
This bestselling book by Vice President Kamala Harris shares the knowledge that there are superheroes all around us. These heroes may not be wearing capes, but what they do is pretty spectacular. Kamala Harris always loved superheroes as a kid and this book helps inspire kids to try their best, be kind, and one day they can feel like a superhero too.
4. Black Panther
A Marvel comic with plenty of different series and volumes, Black Panther can keep readers busy for years! This positive and powerful Black role model shows people of all races and identities that superheroes come in different shapes, sizes, and colors. The series takes the reader on an African superhero adventure in each comic, with action and bold illustrations on every page.
5. Ten Rules of Being a Superhero
This cute, sweet story by Deb Pilutti shares ten rules for saving the day. Father and son team, Captain Magma and Lava Boy tell stories of adventure while providing rules and suggestions for what to do on your own superhero journey.
6. Zapato Power
Can shoes really make a hero? Freddie Ramos is going to find out! One day he comes home to find a box of special shoes waiting for him that gives him super speed. Good thing too, because his friends and neighborhood need his help. Can he fit the role and become a superhero for his city?
7. Lyric McKerrigan, Secret Librarian
Jacob Sager Weinstein and Vera Brosgol bring us the adorable and thrilling story of a little librarian named Lyric whose superpower is finding the perfect book to save the day. When an evil genius wants to destroy all the books in the entire world, Lyric is the only one who can stop him.
8. The Gumazing Gum Girl! Chews Your Destiny
A super girl made of gum? Author Rhode Montijo tells the creative and fun story of little Gabby who loves to chew gum. One day she turns into the gum, and her exciting double life begins! She can stretch, stick, and bounce around just like she has magical powers. What could go wrong?
9. Lucia the Luchadora and the Million Masks
This heartfelt and exciting book about family and secret identity comes from highly-recommended author Cynthia Leonor Garza. She tells the story of two young sisters, Lucia the luchadora and her little sister Gemma. The colorful artwork depicts the journey of a lost mask, an aspiring fighter, and the special relationship between sisters.
10. Superhero Dad
This book by Timothy Knapman shines a light on the cast of heroes hiding in all our families. A great bedtime book to remind your kids that some of their favorite heroes are sleeping right down the hall. This picture book is adorable and gives credit to all dads and the amazing things they do every day.
11. Even Superheroes Have Bad Days
This clever and teachable story of rhymes and ridiculously bad days come from the dynamic writing duo Shelly Becker and Eda Kaban. What can we do when we have a bad day and is it different than what young superheroes do when luck isn't going their way?
12. Ms. Marvel: Kamala Khan
Kamala Khan is a normal teenage girl living in New Jersey when her life gets a superhero twist and she becomes Ms. Marvel. Will her newfound powers and responsibility be too much for her, or will her inner strength and determination help her become the hero she is destined to be!
13. Super Manny Stands Up!
Not all villains try to destroy the world, and not all adventures are life or death. Super Manny can handle the evil monsters, robots, and mad scientists, but can he handle a bully at his school? Sometimes being a hero is standing up for what's right and being brave in the face of ordinary injustices.
14. Super Heroes Book of Opposites
David Bar Katz brings us unique and educational spins on some of our favorite Marvel comic superheroes. In this compare and contrast picture book for all ages, he uses classic illustrations and examples to show the drastic differences between heroes and villains.
15. Guardians of the Galaxy
1 of 504 books in the Little Golden Book series, many of the superhero books in the series are by author John Sazaklis. There are many to choose from, this one tells the story of the well-known comic book superheroes Star-Lord, Rocket, and the other Guardians of the Galaxy as they protect the galaxy from numerous villains.
16. The Big Book of Girl Power
All of your favorite female superheroes can be found in this book by Julie Merberg with each page featuring a dose of girl power. The dynamic illustrations and lush backstories of Super Girl, Wonder Woman, and Bat Girl will inspire girl readers and show boy readers how powerful and daring girls are.
17. Superhero Instruction Manual
This adorable superhero book by Kristy Dempsey gives step-by-step instructions for how to become a superhero. It's not as easy as you think, and after you are one, things get even harder! Follow along with its unique comic book style and engaging illustrations.
18. Almost Super
Marion Jensen writes an imaginative and inspiring novel about two battling superhero families and their kids with some unfortunate superpowers. Rafter and Benny of the Bailey family are unhappy with the superpowers they got, how can they protect the world and stop the dreaded Johnson family with seemingly useless powers? It'll take teamwork with a surprising ally.
19. Cape
This innovative and historically-significant comic book series by Kate Hannigan and Patrick Spaziante features 3 incredible girl superheroes inspired by real-life female figures during WWII. A story of overcoming prejudice, positive female empowerment, and what it means to be a true hero in a dark time.
20. The Super Life of Ben Braver
Ben Braver is a comic book superhero teen...or at least he hopes to be! One big problem is, he doesn't have any special powers. Until one day he eats a peanut butter cup and everything changes. In his new secret super school can he find ways to fit in, while also discovering what makes him truly super?
21. Bug Girl
This insect-inspired superhero comic features Amanda, a bug-obsessed middle school girl who ends up going on a wild critter-filled adventure with her ex-best friend Emily to save their moms and the city. With colorful and vibrant illustrations of action and plenty of bug facts, this book is perfect for any insect-loving reader.
22. The Three Little Superpigs: Once Upon a Time
This adorable origin story with a twist, tells how the three little pigs from our childhood fairytales became the three little super pigs. What types of powers do they have, and how did they really defeat the big bad wolf? Read and find out!
23. Max and the Superheroes
Uniquely narrated by the main character Max, this comic book features a group of superhero super fans who love to study and discuss their favorite heroes. Max's favorite is Megapower, an amazing female superhero with unbelievable superpowers who coincidentally is also his mom.
24. El Deafo
This best-selling graphic novel by Cece Bell shares the compelling story of Cece, a deaf girl who moves from her old school where everyone is deaf, to her new school where only she is. Her hearing aid is big, and right on her chest so all of her classmates can see it. What she quickly discovers is her hearing aid allows her to listen to her teachers when they are anywhere in the school. Can she use her listening powers to make a new friend?
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