7 YA Superhero Books For the Comic Book Lover

Steelheart, by Brandon Sanderson
When eight-year-old David watched a superman named Steelheart kill his father, he vowed revenge. He’s watched for weakness, and now that he’s joined the Reckoners—a group of humans dedicated to vanquishing the superhuman rulers of Earth—it’s time to put his plans into action. This is an exciting tale full of nonstop thrills, showing readers the world as it might look run by superhumans. Crazy plot twists, awesome supervillain names, and over-the-top action combine to make this one of the most comic-booky YAs on this list.

V Is for Villain, by Peter Moore
Brad might be a genius, but he certainly doesn’t feel all that special when his brother Blake is a superhero in the elite Justice Force. In fact, these days it seems like everyone around Brad has superpowers except for him. But when he joins a new crew, he discovers powers he never knew he had, and a whole world of secrets he never expected. While this seems to be a traditional superhero story at first glance, it transitions into a powerful examination of what it means to be a hero and a villain.

Please Don’t Tell My Parents I’m a Supervillain, by Richard Roberts
Penelope’s parents and her two best friends are superheroes, and she wants to be one, too. She’s got a gift for mad science, with crazy gadgets and inventions pouring out of her at record speed. Unfortunately, one tiny mistake lands Penny with a new identity she never wanted: that of supervillain. Even worse, she’s really really good at the life of villainy. If you love fun superhero tropes, this is a must-read, filled with gadgets, big bads, and epic battles.

Hero, by Perry Moore
In a world full of superheroes and villains, Thom Creed is having a rough go of it. His mom disappeared, his former hero dad was left disgraced after a freak accident, and he’s got two very big secrets: he has superpowers and he’s gay.  Thom has been asked to join the ultimate organization of heroes, the League, but the honor is soured by the knowledge that his dad wouldn’t approve. So he keeps both aspects of his identity secret, until evil forces conspire against him and force him to admit who he really is. With all the capes and masks, Hero reads like an homage to our favorites of the genre.

Powerless, by Matthew Cody
For younger readers, Powerless is a classic good versus evil superhero story. Twelve-year-old Daniel is the new kid in the “safest town on Earth,” and he quickly discovers why it’s so safe: it’s protected by super kids. But their powers disappear the moment they turn 13, along with all their memories of ever having had them. As Daniel and the kids race against the clock as their thirteenth birthdays approach, superpowers combine with good old-fashioned investigation skills to solve the mystery surrounding their powers. It’s an admiring tribute to classic comics, and a statement on the importance of the non-superhuman power of intelligence.

Shatter Me, by Tahereh Mafi
Juliette’s touch is fatal, which has landed her in prison. But when Adam arrives to share her small cell, everything starts to change. Suddenly, in addition to power, she has strength. With the world in ruins around her, and orders from the Reestablishment to use her power to kill dissidents, Juliette must decide who to trust. She might not be your traditional mask-wearing heroine, but her story has steamy romance, a terrifying dystopian world, and enough action to satisfy even the most diehard superhero fans.

Being Jamie Baker, by Kelly Oram
When an accident leaves Jamie with superhuman abilities, she sees no other choice but to socially exile herself. But an electric encounter with the quarterback threatens to expose her secret, as she fights her growing feelings and he attempts to win her over with his charms. Unfortunately, Jamie’s powers are just a little unstable, and other people might be onto her secret. This fun superhero story is surprisingly sweet, as Jamie deals with boys, school, and keeping her crazy powers a secret.