Reading Recommendations: Heroes

World Book Day Reading List

Heroes come in all shapes and sizes—some wield swords and battle mythical beasts, while others show bravery in their everyday lives. This World Book Day, explore stories of adventure, courage, and kindness as ordinary people (and animals!) rise to extraordinary challenges.

From classic legends like Robin Hood and King Arthur to modern-day champions in Wonder and A Kind of Spark, these books celebrate the power of determination, friendship, and standing up for what’s right. Whether it’s a young warrior facing ancient magic, a schoolboy solving a mystery, or an animal showing the true meaning of loyalty, these inspiring tales prove that heroes can be found anywhere—including in you!

Which hero’s journey will you embark on first?

Classic Heroes

1. The Hobbit – J.R.R. Tolkien (Bilbo Baggins’ unexpected journey to heroism in a world of dragons and treasure.)
2. Robin Hood: The Classic Adventure Story – Roger Lancelyn Green (The legendary outlaw who steals from the rich to help the poor.)
3. The Secret Garden – Frances Hodgson Burnett (Mary and Colin discover the power of kindness and resilience.)

---

Mythical & Legendary Heroes

4. Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief – Rick Riordan (A modern hero discovers his destiny in Greek mythology.)
5. Who Let the Gods Out? – Maz Evans (A hilarious adventure where a schoolboy teams up with the Greek gods.)
6. Arthur: The Seeing Stone – Kevin Crossley-Holland (A young boy’s journey to becoming the legendary King Arthur.)

---

Brave & Adventurous Heroes

7. Sky Song – Abi Elphinstone (An orphan girl defies fate to save her frozen kingdom.)
8. The Girl Who Stole an Elephant – Nizrana Farook (A daring heroine fights injustice in a jungle kingdom.)
9. Malala: My Story of Standing Up for Girls’ Rights; Illustrated Edition for Younger Readers – Malala Yousafazi (This illustrated adaptation introduces readers of 7+ to the remarkable story of a teenage girl who risked her life for the right to go to school.)

---

Heroes in Unlikely Places

10. Wonder – R.J. Palacio (A heartwarming story of courage and kindness in everyday life.)
11. A Kind of Spark – Elle McNicoll (A neurodivergent heroine challenges prejudice in her community.)
12. The Goldfish Boy – Lisa Thompson (A mystery-solving boy with OCD becomes an unexpected hero.)

---

Animal Heroes

13. The One and Only Ivan – Katherine Applegate (A gorilla’s journey to find freedom and friendship.)
14. War Horse – Michael Morpurgo (A loyal horse’s journey through World War I.)
15. Call of the Wild – Jack London (A sled dog’s tale of survival and loyalty in the Alaskan wilderness.)

---

---

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases (single digits %) which helps keep the website running and lets me create more content for you!