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

by Sharon McMahon, Susanna Chapman (Illustrator)

“America’s Government Teacher” and author of the New York Times bestselling The Small and the Mighty pens a hopeful book about twelve ordinary Americans who stood up to do the next needed thing.

“Want mighty kids? Give them these spectacular mighty heroes. I love it. Sharon McMahon is a national treasure!” —Brad Meltzer, bestselling author of the Ordinary People Change the World series

One kind act. One spark of bravery. One big idea from someone nobody expected.

In this collection, you’ll meet twelve real people from America’s past—some famous, most not—whose choices changed the course of history.

You’ll meet María de López, who drove ambulances during World War I and helped win the vote for women. You’ll read about two boys—Norman and Alan—who met at a campout, stayed friends for life, and helped lead the country together. And you’ll discover how teachers, kids, and quiet changemakers made a mighty difference in their communities.

With powerful storytelling from #1 New York Times bestselling author Sharon McMahon, We Are Mighty celebrates courage, character, and the idea that the smallest step can create ripples we can’t yet see.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Picture Books, Childrens, Biography, Historical, Audiobook

32 pages, Hardcover

Published May 19, 2026

Reviews

[Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book with just enough information for young readers! Each page is gorgeously illustrated and the people in the book are fascinating.

[Suzi Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding! I received my pre-ordered copy and was in love with this book from the minute I pulled it from the box! The beautiful illustrations and summaries of 12 American heroes is for everyone — young and old. It will help our children know to keep going, and to keeping doing the next needed thing and, mostly, how important they are!
I am ecstatic to have this book! Sharon McMahon’s writing style and communication skills abound in this book. Her careful choices of words and art make it exciting to learn and share her chosen subjects!

[Kelly {SpaceOnTheBookcase] · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy reference books that focus on lesser known names in history. From teachers to sports to activists, We Are Mighty showcases how average people can make massive changes for the better.

Thank you Random House Kids for the gifted copy.

[Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated and incredibly inspiring.

[Sabrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful illustrations and stories for young children! A great way to inspire kids to ‘have courage to do the next needed thing,’ as Sharon says. I gave a copy of this to my young grandsons.

[Kara Mayfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

A picture book that every parent, school teacher or school volunteer needs to have to read to their kids! The pictures are worth it alone, but the words share how ordinary can equal amazing!!

[Chantae · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations in this are amazing! Sharon tells great stories as usual!

[Efox · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love The Small and the Mighty: Twelve Unsung Americans Who Changed the Course of History, from the Founding to the Civil Rights Movement, so I was really excited to see how it would be pulled together for younger audiences. I love reading mini-autobiography stories with my kids (see Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World, Girls Think of Everything: Stories of Ingenious Inventions by Women, and the gold standard Stories of the Spirit of Justice).

This one was good, but it was written for such a young crowd, I felt like it was missing a lot of the important parts of the story. That said, the illustrations were gorgeous and one of my favorite stories from the original book - Norman Mineta and Alan Simpsons - was my favorite in here.

Strong recommendation for a broadened view of American History for young patriots.

[Allison Turkish · Rating 1 out of 5]

I applaud the idea of this book but not the writing.

I found the majority of the entries to just be confusing.

I am 53-years-old and I used to be an elementary school teacher. The author said she was a teacher. So what makes her think that the bits and pieces she wrote about people are enough to make sense?

Yes, there is a timeline at the end, but I think this book could have been well-served by a timeline ON each spread.

The most confusing was the story about a man named Norman Mineta who, uh, I guess had a friend named Alan. Alan who? (You have to go to the timeline to find out his last name. But I still don't know what significance Alan has to America.) Were they on the same boy scout troop? I don't think so. I think Alan came with his troop to visit the Japanese internment camp at Heart Mountain in Wyoming. The book does not explain that this was during World War I.

Nor does it explain that Maria de López helped in Europe during World War I.

The one part I thought was well-written was about Julius Rosenwald. He was born down the street from Abraham Lincoln. (Interesting, but was Lincoln already an adult? I don't know.). He grew up to become the "president" of Sears Roebuck and worked with Booker T Washington to build 5,000 schools across the American South. I look forward to learning more about Mr. Rosenwald.

Disappointing book.

[LA · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a well-meaning book, and the illustrations are lovely. It's the type of kids' book an adult can learn from, and I certainly did learn from it.

However, I think it had an identity crisis.

Some of the stories felt like stories of people who were never supposed to be famous because what they did was ordinary, but still commendable. I liked this because it shows kids that you don't have to do something extraordinary to live a meaningful life.

However, some stories felt like "forgotten figures from history" who should have been in history books but largely aren't for whatever reason. I think that's an equally important but very different lesson for kids, that what you learn in school isn't always the full story.

And Ida B Wells and maybe a couple others felt like a third type of vignette: you've heard of her but you likely haven't heard this piece of her story.

Because all of these different types of stories were piled in, it felt a bit overly long and info-dump-y. I think the author could have picked one or the other approach (or pehaps have split it into multiple books!) and the result would have been less disorienting.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

We Are Mighty delivers a brief look at thirteen ordinary-until-they-did-the-extraordinary people, showing how bravery, drive, questions, and courage can move mountains. The illustrations are a feast for the eyes with the vibrant color and intricate details about each individual. This is sure to spark a youngster’s interest—so be ready for a trip to the library to read more about these amazing folks.

Featured in the book: Gouverneur Morris (author of the Preamble to the US Constitution); Ida Lewis (lighthouse keeper); Virginia Randolph (teacher); Katharine Lee Bates (author of America the Beautiful); Ida B. Wells (investigative journalist); María de López (served in Red Cross during war); Jim Thorpe or Wa-Tho-Huk (athlete); Julius Rosenwald (built schools in south); Norman Mineta (politician); Septima Clark (taught adults to read); Roberto Clemente (baseball player); Claudette Colvin (didn’t give up her seat on the bus); Timeline; Selected Bibliography; Source Notes for Quotations

[Amberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited to read this as soon as it arrived! I love Sharon's book "The Small and the Mighty" and couldn't wait to see how she translated her work into a picture book.

Each person has a lovely two-page spread highlighting how they made a difference in kid-friendly language. The illustrations are incredible and the text has nice pops of Sharon's personal flare.

The timeline in the back piqued my interest. It's visually interesting with just enough facts about each person to help children (and adults) place these Americans in time, and relationship to each other.

For those who want to learn more, there is a one page bibliography at the end.

This book is delightful and a great way to help children see examples of everyday courage to do the next needed thing!

[Courtney Keenum · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is ask ‘why?’” -Sharon McMahon

I love this author and teacher so much! I encourage EVERYONE to purchase this book for their kids or classrooms when it publishes on May 19th. I was lucky to get an advanced listener copy through LibroFM as a bookseller, and I truly wish I could just have Sharon in my ear all day. Her story-telling is unmatched, and I love that she is bringing “small, but mighty” people’s stories to life. And yes- I’m counting this toward this year’s 100 book reading goal, because I’ve been waiting for this one since she announced it and loved it so much! I will be highly recommending it to all!

[Read Ribbet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sharon McMahon's We Are Mighty: 12 Ordinary Americans Who Did the Next Needed Thing profiles 12 individuals who did important things. These included: Gouverneur Morris, Ida Lewis, Virginia Randolph, Ida B. Wells, Katherine Lee Bates, Maria De Lopez, Jim Thorpe, Julius Rosenwald, Norman Mineta, Septima, Clark, Roberto Clemente and Claudette Colvin. They represent a variety of occupations and backgrounds. Each individual's profile is about two pages long which makes the book easy to jigsaw. There is additional information on a timeline at the back of the book. Susanna Chapman illustrated the lives. It is an inspirational book that reminds us that any of us can do the next needed right thing.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sharon McMahon is one of my favorite humans, and I admire the work she does to educate about how government works, make sense of current events, and advocate for a nonpartisan, ethical government. As an elementary librarian, I had high hopes for her picture book. I thought it was well-written, and the illustrations were lovely. Unfortunately, I don't think this is a book that fits the library curriculum, but I would absolutely recommend it to classroom teachers (grades 3–5). They could spotlight one person from the book per day/week and have a class discussion about the person and their example of being mighty.

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations in this book alone make it worth adding to your collection, but it’s the lives that are highlighted that created really great discussions with my kids today. It sent them looking for more information on various characters and ones even only lightly mentioned (like Langston Hughes). I think it’s a valuable addition to those (like me) who have a children’s book library for the art, but especially if you are looking for nonfiction books about little known but important people from the United States.

[Evelynn Ramos · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kid has had me read this book at least twice a day since receiving it. The illustrations are beautiful and help support the biography of each hero. This book is a great way to introduce kids to history especially with the more difficult topics. My favorite thing about the book is that each biography leads to a conversation. “Mom, why was there a terrible king?” “Mom, why did the lady shout at the little girl?” “Mom, you CAN do important work if you’re married and have kids.” I would’ve loved to have a book like this as a kid, and I’m so happy my kid does.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Libro. FM and Knopf Books for Young Readers for a copy of this ALC for my honest review!

Yet another book my son and I listened to while going back and forth to school.

I loved how the author narrator this book. I could imagine that the printed book with photos would be such a joy to read!

I did enjoy the quick facts about each 12 people and wanted to find out even more about that.

[Corrie Haffly · Rating 5 out of 5]

We Are Mighty by Sharon McMahon and illustrated by Susanna Chapman is a beautiful work of art. I could tell that so much love went into the making of it; the spreads for each of the “twelve ordinary Americans who did the next needed thing” are carefully wordsmithed and masterfully illustrated with gorgeous and playful detail. McMahon’s words inspire hope, resilience, and action as she distills the story of each person into kid-friendly terms.

[Jordan Chestnut · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great selection of ordinary American heroes throughout history. As a baseball fan, I was touched that Roberto Clemente's story was included. My 4 year old and I loved reading this together. I think the author did a good job of conveying important messages in a way that's appropriate for children without pulling any punches. It's a shame that this kind of book is being banned by fragile people who can't accept history for what it is.

[Carol Youssif · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up.
Because these are mostly unknown or lesser-known figures, I think it would have been great to have a biography of each individual at the back of the book. Since each spread only has a glimpse into what the person accomplished, as a reader, my curiosity is piked and I want more, especially since the tone of the book is one of aspiration and recognition to the small but mighty achievements of each person.

[Britta Dwyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, to no one’s surprise, is phenomenal. The stories are so well written and the illustrations are fantastic. My nieces loved everything about it from the first story. “Auntie, why did the horse run away?!” “I want to see a wooden leg.”

The stories make me emotional reading them to young people, knowing the power they have to be mighty souls impacting the world.

A must buy for every family.

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I listened to an Educator Listening Copy from Last.fm and Peguin Random House Audio Publishing Group.*

I had read her full book, so I recognized a lot of the stories she summarized which helped me understand the stories. I am curious if its enough detail for those who haven't. Rating might go up when I can see a physical copy with illustrations. Sharon read the audiobook which was nice.

[Jessica Heath · Rating 5 out of 5]

This passed the kid test with my 7 year old boy. I read the whole thing and then he asked me to reread a couple of his favorite parts.

It’s a powerful book that empowers each one of us to improve our immediate environments. The illustrations are beautiful and engaging.

I personally have felt very empowered by Sharon’s other work and this is a continuation of that.

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was emotional reading this my my five year old. It’s beautiful short stories of regular Americans doing the next needed thing. We only read a few the first night because we didn’t want it to be over. At the end my girl hugged me tight and said “thank you Mama” and for that I can’t thank you enough Sharon- for writing a book that inspires little minds.

[Hedieh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a delightful story for all ages. It gives un insight into the lives of 12 people who accomplished amazing things in our history. It teaches us about how every day people can do extraordinary things and through courage, resilience, persistence and perseverance they can change their communities for the better. This is a children's book, but it brings joy and hope to all ages.

[Lola · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated, this short picture book for young readers features a brief bio of twelve ordinary people who did “the next needed thing”, whether that be a fearless lighthouse keeper who saved numerous people from drowning (Ida Lewis), to a pro baseball player who prioritized making time to visit sick children in hospitals (Roberto Clemente).

Recommended for kids 4-8

[Kristin Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is beautiful inspiration for the next generation on how to think for themselves, trust their instincts and courageously believe that they can make a difference. With this guidebook in their hands, our children will believe in themselves and begin to heal what previous generations have fractured.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always enjoy the words of Sharon McMahon. She finds such unique stories that are important to know! My favorite thing about this book, though, was the illustrations! They are incredible! They're so perfectly done for a book that was written "for children" but can be read by all. I highly recommend this book if you want to be inspired by some ordinary/extraordinary Americans!

[Abigail Skiles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got the Advanced Listener Copy from Libro.fm and had the pleasure of hearing the author read it! Wonderful and engaging, this book is a lovely introduction of some incredible Americans to young (and old) readers.