Staff Pick: The Book of Heroes by Miyuki Miyabe

Sometimes it takes a younger sister to save the day. Eleven-year-old Yuriko Morisaki is just a regular fifth-grader but when her brother disappears after a fight with bullies, Yuriko finds a magical book in his room and finds out that her brother has been possessed.

With the help of some unusual friends like a monk, a dictionary-mouse and a mysterious stranger, Yuriko has to solve a mystery to save her brother and, perhaps, the world.

Although not an easy read, this book is for all those younger siblings that know they truly are the heroes in their family! Yuriko’s adventure is definitely one that will please fantasy lovers and the young at heart and there is little not to love about this book’s colorful account of overcoming adversity. Although not an illustrated novel, for those who love Japanese animation, this book’s style is entirely in line with that sort of unique and elaborate world-building.