If you loved

Books like Max the Mighty

A big-hearted, fast-paced road trip about a gentle giant discovering that true strength comes from protecting those who need it most. These 12 books are the closest matches in mood, pace and themes, with what each one shares with Max the Mighty.

heartwarming
tense
adventurous
gritty

01
Freak the Mighty
Rodman Philbrick
An uplifting and earnest story about two boys who combine their unique strengths to become an unstoppable team.
Shares:
- heartwarming
- earnest
02
Max
James Patterson
A breathless, high-altitude adrenaline rush fueled by snark, found family, and world-ending stakes.
Shares:
- tense
03
Mighty Jack and the Goblin King
Ben Hatke
A breathless, visually stunning rescue mission through a perilous fantasy realm where courage and sibling devotion are the ultimate magic.
Shares:
- tense
- adventurous
- earnest
04
The last kids on Earth
Max Brallier
A high-octane, monster-smashing joyride that treats the end of the world like the ultimate unsupervised treehouse hangout.
Shares:
- adventurous
- found family
05
Dragon Flight
Jessica Day George
A funny, heart-felt fantasy adventure that trades the quiet of ordinary life for the thrill of dragon flights and rekindled friendships.
Shares:
- adventurous
- earnest
06
Nevermore
James Patterson
A high-stakes, explosive sci-fi adventure where extraordinary friends face their final, unpredictable challenge.
Shares:
- tense
- earnest
07
The higher power of Lucky
Susan Patron
A dusty, sun-baked exploration of found family and the fierce, tender heart of a girl looking for a place to anchor herself.
Shares:
- earnest
- found family
08
Valiant
Holly Black
A gritty, subterranean descent into a drug-hazed urban faerie underworld where survival means embracing the monstrous.
Feels:
- grimy
- subterranean
- drug-hazed
09
Ramona Forever
Beverly Cleary · 1985
A warm, funny, and deeply empathetic look at the messy, beautiful reality of growing up and dealing with family changes.
Feels:
- cozy
- nostalgic
- lighthearted
10
Powerless
Matthew Cody · 2009
An action-packed, comic-book-infused mystery that explores the bittersweet transition of growing up and the hidden strength of being ordinary.
Shares:
- adventurous
- earnest
11
Dragon run
Patrick Matthews
A breathless, high-stakes wilderness escape where an underdog must survive assassins, betrayal, and the terrifying secrets of a dragon-ruled world.
Shares:
- tense
- adventurous
- earnest
- found family
12
Uglies
Scott Westerfeld
A high-stakes hoverboard ride through a sleek, deceptive utopia where perfection comes at a terrifying cost.
Shares:
- tense
- earnest

Back to Max the Mighty