Are you obsessed with super heroes? This is a great time to be alive because publishers keep coming out with all kinds of superhero novels. We have tons of superhero comics at the library, but if you just can’t get enough or if you have a friend who’s reluctant to pick up comics but devours novels, these might be a good choice. Bonus: they’re not just media spin-offs. These novels are written by well-known YA authors who are publishing lots of great non-superhero novels, too. You just might discover a new favorite.
Batman: Nightwalker by Marie Lu (2018; 252 pages). Hot off the presses, this novel (by the author of the popular teen dystopian adventure series Legend) stars Bruce Wayne, age 18 and about to inherit the Wayne fortune when he meets Madeleine, a girl with many secrets. Is Madeleine connected to the Nightwalkers who are terrorizing Gotham City? And can Bruce get her to divulge her secrets?
Miles Morales: Spider-Man by Jason Reynolds (2017; 261 pages). Written by Jason Reynolds, author of 2017’s talked-about book Long Way Down, this novel features Miles Morales, everyday kid, trying to pass history while his spidey-sense is tingling. Because, oh yeah, he’s not only an average kid but a superhero, too. Haunted by vivid nightmares, Miles uncovers a terrible plot designed to bring down his friends, his community, and even himself.
The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl: Squirrel Meets World by Shannon Hale (2017; 324 pages). Shannon Hale’s the author of a number popular books, including the Newbery-honor-winning Princess Academy. Here she’s taken on The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl. It’s hard to start at a new school in a new town and constantly be worried about hiding your tail, but that’s what 14-year-old Doreen Green has to do. Still, it’s all fun and games until a real-life Super-Villain shows up and declares Squirrel Girl his archenemy.
Wonder Woman: Warbringer by Leigh Bardugo. (2017; 368 pages). By the author of the Grisha trilogy, Wonder Woman: Warbringer sees Princess Diana longing to prove herself, but when she breaks Amazon law to save a mortal, she may have doomed the world. The mortal she’s saved turns out to be no ordinary girl and together, she and Diana will have to face an army of enemies.
The Young Prince (Black Panther) by Ronald L. Smith (2018; 264 pages). Before he was the Rule of Wakanda, he was simply T’Challa, the young prince. Written by the accomplished author of Hoodoo (one of my booktalking favorites for kids who enjoy scary stories), this book finds 12-year-old Prince T’Challa suddenly being sent to America for school. Will he be safe there or has an ancient evil reared its ugly head?
Have you read any of these superhero novels? What did you think? What comic do you hope they’ll tackle next?
— Abby Johnson, Collection Development Leader
