For its target audience of preschool through grade 3, We Are Mighty delivers a clear and well-matched picture-book experience: it sparks curiosity, models courage, and makes civic values feel attainable through twelve real, relatable American stories. The endorsement from Brad Meltzer — whose Ordinary People Change the World series is a benchmark in the genre — lends it strong genre credibility, and the #1 New York Times bestseller status reflects a broad existing readership built on McMahon's prior work. The main caveat is format: at 32 pages, the book necessarily keeps each profile brief, so readers seeking deeper biographical detail will need supplementary resources.

Best for ages 6 and up for early independent reading, though the picture-book format makes it equally suitable as a read-aloud for children as young as 4. The text and concepts are pitched at a preschool-through-grade-3 comprehension level, using concrete, incremental civic ideas — "the next needed thing" — rather than abstract political philosophy, which keeps it fully accessible across that age band.

We Are Mighty: 12 Ordinary Americans Who Did the Next Needed Thing

by Sharon McMahon

$16.59 on Amazon Read our full review

At a glance

Pages32

First published2026

AudienceChildren (5-8)

About the Author

Sharon McMahon

1 book reviewed

We Are Mighty

Name: We Are Mighty: 12 Ordinary Americans Who Did the Next Needed Thing by Sharon McMahon
Author: Sharon McMahon

12 Ordinary Americans Who Did the Next Needed Thing

by Sharon McMahon

LuvemBooks Verdict

Best for: Parents, teachers, and librarians seeking a civics-minded picture book for preschool through grade-3 readers that models everyday courage through profiles of real, relatable ordinary Americans.

Worth it? Skip it? Read the full verdict →

Preview the book

Interior spread featuring an illustrated portrait of a woman alongside text and decorative orange citrus motifs.

Interior spread featuring an illustrated biography of an ordinary American changemaker with narrative text and colorful artwork.

We Are Mighty: 12 Ordinary Americans Who Did the Next Needed Thing by Sharon McMahon front cover

Interior spread featuring an illustrated portrait of a historical figure alongside narrative text and decorative period-appropriate design elements.

Interior spread featuring an illustrated biography of an American changemaker with portrait, biographical text, and dynamic blue and gold artwork.

Ask LuvemBooks

Was this helpful?

We Are Mighty: 12 Ordinary Americans Who Did the Next Needed Thing is a #1 New York Times bestselling picture book by Sharon McMahon, illustrated by Susanna Chapman, that profiles twelve real, relatable Americans — including teachers and children — whose small acts of courage created lasting community ripples. Ideal for preschool through grade 3, it translates McMahon's signature focus on overlooked American stories into a format accessible to the youngest readers, making civic values feel genuinely within reach. The key caveat: the 32-page picture-book format keeps each of the twelve profiles necessarily brief, so adults or older readers seeking deeper biographical detail will need to look beyond these pages.

Is it worth reading?: For its target audience of preschool through grade 3, We Are Mighty delivers a clear and well-matched picture-book experience: it sparks curiosity, models courage, and makes civic values feel attainable through twelve real, relatable American stories. The endorsement from Brad Meltzer — whose Ordinary People Change the World series is a benchmark in the genre — lends it strong genre credibility, and the #1 New York Times bestseller status reflects a broad existing readership built on McMahon's prior work. The main caveat is format: at 32 pages, the book necessarily keeps each profile brief, so readers seeking deeper biographical detail will need supplementary resources.
Similar books: Readers who enjoy We Are Mighty will find kindred spirit in other books that blend inspiration, character, and courage for young audiences. Oh, the Places You'll Go! by Dr. Seuss shares the same ambition of encouraging children to believe in their own potential. Wonder by R. J. Palacio, though a longer middle-grade novel, similarly centres everyday courage and kindness as transformative forces. Big Ideas for Curious Minds: An Introduction to Philosophy by The School of Life likewise invites young readers to engage with big moral and civic ideas in an accessible format. The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein offers another picture-book exploration of generosity and quiet impact that pairs naturally with McMahon's themes.
Who should read this?: We Are Mighty is squarely aimed at children in preschool through grade 3 — roughly ages 4 to 8 — and functions equally well as a classroom read-aloud or a family bedtime book. It will resonate especially with young readers who need to see themselves reflected in stories of courage, since the cast includes children and teachers alongside adult community figures. Fans of Brad Meltzer's Ordinary People Change the World series, the Little Leaders books, or other civics-minded picture books will find it occupying familiar and friendly genre territory. Adults seeking deep biographical profiles of the twelve individuals featured should note the 32-page format keeps each story brief by design.
What age is it for?: Best for ages 6 and up for early independent reading, though the picture-book format makes it equally suitable as a read-aloud for children as young as 4. The text and concepts are pitched at a preschool-through-grade-3 comprehension level, using concrete, incremental civic ideas — "the next needed thing" — rather than abstract political philosophy, which keeps it fully accessible across that age band.
Who is Sharon McMahon?: Sharon McMahon is known widely as "America's Government Teacher" through her Instagram presence Sharon Says So, and is the host of the award-winning podcast Here's Where It Gets Interesting and founder of the newsletter The Preamble. Her previous book, The Small and the Mighty, was a New York Times bestseller, and We Are Mighty extends that project by translating her signature focus on overlooked American stories into a picture-book format for the youngest readers. That consistent authorial throughline gives the picture book a clear sensibility: the belief that history is made not just by presidents and generals but by people whose names rarely appear in textbooks.
Is it good for read-alouds?: We Are Mighty is explicitly designed for read-alouds and early independent reading, and its structure — twelve individual profiles, each anchored to a single act of courage — lends itself naturally to pausing for discussion between stories. The "next needed thing" framework is well-suited to family or classroom conversations about civic responsibility and kindness, and Susanna Chapman's award-winning illustrations give visual anchor points throughout. At 32 pages, it fits comfortably within a single story-time session.

Summarize this book

Is it worth reading?

Who should read this?

What age is it for?

Who is Sharon McMahon?

Is it good for read-alouds?

Summarize this book

We Are Mighty is a picture book published by Knopf Books for Young Readers on May 19, 2026, written by Sharon McMahon and illustrated by award-winning Susanna Chapman. It profiles twelve real, ordinary Americans — teachers, children, and quiet community changemakers — each of whom took what the book calls "the next needed thing," a single act of courage or care that created ripples in their communities. Rather than celebrating presidents or generals, McMahon's design intent is to show young readers that civic courage belongs to anyone, building a cumulative portrait of everyday character across twelve individual profiles.

Follow up

Who are the twelve people profiled?

How long does it take to read?

Who published it and when?

Synthesized from verified book data & published reviews · How we review

Press Enter to ask. Answers come from our editorial Q&A — start typing to see related questions.

Age & Reading Level

Recommended age

Ages 5–8

Browse all 5–8 books

Best for: Ages 6+ — text and civic concepts are pitched at a preschool-through-grade-3 reading and comprehension level; younger children enjoy it best as a shared read-aloud with an adult.

Skip if you're looking for deep biographical detail about the twelve Americans profiled — the 32-page picture-book format keeps each story necessarily brief.

Editorial Review

We Are Mighty: 12 Ordinary Americans Who Did the Next Needed Thing is a #1 New York Times bestselling picture book by Sharon McMahon, illustrated by award-winning Susanna Chapman, published by Knopf Books for Young Readers. It profiles twelve ordinary Americans — teachers, kids, and quiet changemakers — whose small, courageous acts created lasting ripples in their communities, designed to inspire readers ages 6 and up to believe that doing the next needed thing is within anyone's reach.

Read the Full Review

Books like We Are Mighty

Curated picks for readers who enjoyed We Are Mighty, with our reasoning for each match.

If you liked We Are Mighty

In our catalogue

Wonder

R. J. Palacio

Both books show how one person's quiet courage can shift the world around them — ideal for ages 8–12 who want to believe kindness has real power.

If you loved We Are Mighty: 12 Ordinary Americans Who Did the Next Needed Thing and are looking for books like it, Wonder by R. J. Palacio is one of the most natural next reads. Just as Sharon McMahon's book spotlights ordinary people whose small, brave choices created lasting ripples, Wonder follows Auggie Pullman — a kid who simply shows up, day after day, and changes everyone around him without grand gestures or speeches. Both books share a core belief: that doing the next right thing, even when it's hard, is available to anyone. Wonder is a longer chapter-book read suited for ages 8 and up, so it's a great step up for kids who've outgrown picture books but still want that same warm, hope-forward message about what one person can do.

In our catalogue

Matilda

Roald Dahl

A child with no formal power uses her gifts to change her world — perfect for young readers inspired by We Are Mighty's message that ordinary kids can do extraordinary things.

Readers searching for what to read after We Are Mighty: 12 Ordinary Americans Who Did the Next Needed Thing will find a kindred spirit in Matilda. Where Sharon McMahon's book profiles real children and adults who stepped up when it mattered, Roald Dahl's Matilda tells the story of a girl who refuses to accept the world as it is handed to her. She's overlooked by almost every adult in her life, yet she finds creative, courageous ways to make things better for herself and the people she loves. Both books deliver the same essential message to young readers: you don't have to be famous, powerful, or grown up to make a difference. Matilda is a great fit for ages 7–10 who want their inspiration wrapped in humor and a little glorious mischief.

In our catalogue

Charlotte's Web

E. B. White

A small, determined creature uses her particular talents to save someone she loves — a gentle, classic story about how ordinary acts of care can change everything.

If you liked We Are Mighty: 12 Ordinary Americans Who Did the Next Needed Thing and want a classic that carries the same emotional heartbeat, Charlotte's Web by E. B. White is a wonderful companion. McMahon's book shows real people doing the next needed thing out of love for their communities; Charlotte, a barn spider, does exactly that for her friend Wilbur — quietly, persistently, using only the gifts she has. Neither Charlotte nor the people profiled in We Are Mighty set out to be heroes. They simply noticed a need and acted. For readers ages 6 and up, Charlotte's Web is one of those rare books that teaches generosity and courage without ever lecturing. It's a natural answer to the question 'what should I read if I liked We Are Mighty?' — timeless, tender, and deeply human despite its non-human narrator.

In our catalogue

The Giving Tree

Shel Silverstein

A picture book built entirely around selfless giving — ideal for the youngest readers of We Are Mighty who are just beginning to explore what it means to show up for others.

For parents and educators looking for books like We Are Mighty: 12 Ordinary Americans Who Did the Next Needed Thing for the youngest end of the picture-book audience, The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein is a timeless companion. Where McMahon's book shows twelve real people making sacrifices and contributions for the good of others, Silverstein's spare, iconic story reduces that same idea to its most elemental form: what does it mean to give, again and again, without expecting anything back? Both books ask young readers to sit with the idea that generosity shapes the world. The Giving Tree works beautifully as a read-aloud pairing alongside We Are Mighty for ages 4–7, opening a conversation about why people help each other and what we leave behind when we do.

In our catalogue

Oh, the Places You'll Go!

Dr. Seuss

A rallying picture-book that tells every child their journey matters — pairs perfectly with We Are Mighty as a gift for young readers ready to take on the world.

Anyone searching for books like We Are Mighty: 12 Ordinary Americans Who Did the Next Needed Thing to give as a gift or read aloud at a milestone moment should have Oh, the Places You'll Go! on their list. Dr. Seuss addresses every child directly — you will face hard things, you will get stuck, and you will also find your way through — which mirrors the core promise of McMahon's book: that ordinary people, including you, are capable of doing the next needed thing. Both books are frequently given at graduations, transitions, and new beginnings because they trust children to rise. Oh, the Places You'll Go! works for ages 4 and up and makes an especially resonant companion read alongside We Are Mighty for families or classrooms exploring themes of courage, perseverance, and individual impact.

Not your thing?

In our catalogue

Big Ideas for Curious Minds: An Introduction to Philosophy

The School of Life

If We Are Mighty felt too focused on American civic stories, this book widens the lens — it invites kids to question, argue, and think about how any person, anywhere, should live.

Some readers pick up We Are Mighty: 12 Ordinary Americans Who Did the Next Needed Thing hoping to explore big questions about how people should act in the world, but find its focus on specifically American historical figures a narrower frame than they were looking for. If that sounds like your experience, Big Ideas for Curious Minds: An Introduction to Philosophy by The School of Life opens the door much wider. Rather than profiling individuals, it invites children ages 8 and up to wrestle with the kinds of questions that inspired those individuals in the first place — what is fairness, what do we owe each other, what makes a life meaningful? It's a fantastic next step for children who loved the spirit of We Are Mighty but want to move from stories about what people did to thinking deeply about why it matters.