journey books for

Featured Titles: Stories about Characters Who Made Mistakes—and Fixed Them

Over the summer, E bought EV a wordless book called  Pool . I was skeptical of it at first, recalling EV’s disinterest in  Journey . Then, I watched something magic begin to happen. E kept making up the story of  Pool , and EV began to  interact with the story . Sometimes she interjected to add something from a prior telling, others she inserted her own details.

I took a turn reading it to her, and I noticed different facets of it than E, so my telling was a shade different. If I asked nicely enough and didn’t make a big deal about it, EV would even “read”  Pool to me.

Pool was one of our most-read books during the summer. When E was listing off books from her want-list for our request list for the library and mentioned  Journey , my ears pricked up.

I wondered – how would EV like the book now that she was older and more engaged in the shared creation of a story? Would  Journey include both enough narrative and enough ambiguity to make for as interesting a read as Pool?

What a difference a few months made!

The Journey Trilogy: Journey, Quest , and Return by Aaron Becker 

Gender Diversity: Female protagonist; most other characters are male, although background characters are sometimes agender.

Ethnic Diversity: None, unfortunately

Challenging Language: None!

Themes to Discuss: imagination, fantasy, canals, cooperation

Reading Time: Depends on the reader! Between 4-15 minutes each, for us.

The Journey Trilogy by Aaron Becker is a beautiful, brilliant, fantastical trio of wordless adventure books by with a capable little girl hero, each with plenty of room for interpretation and expansion in the retelling. Becker proves himself an ingenious storyteller with an eye for detail and a knack for tantalizing ambiguity.

Journey   is the story of a young girl who uses a piece of red chalk to travel to a fantastic world by drawing a door on her bedroom walk. In that world, she learns that the chalk can draw anything out of thin air.

After sailing through a town built on a series of canals, she encounters a group of soldiers flying in zeppelins are trying to catch a vivid purple bird. The girl tries to save the bird, but she’s captured herself, and the two work together so she can get free. The bird leads her to a door just like her own, except it’s the same color as the bird! On the other side, she is back in the real world down the street from her house, where she meets a boy with purple chalk.

The easiest example is the red chalk itself. The girl finds it on the floor of her room. Is it the first time she has encountered it? The natural urge is to say yes, as that fits with how stories like this one are usually told. However, she already owns a matching red scooter and red ball which she has been carrying around the house with her. Is it a coincidence that red is her favorite color, or had she created with the chalk before?

These points of interpretation abound in  Journey , and they’re part of what makes it so fun in the retelling. Does the girl mean to steer her little red boat to the top of the highest canal? Is it she or the the bird who engineers the magic carpet that will fit through the bars of her cage? Where do she and the boy find the body of a bike that they draw wheels for at the end of the book?

That’s what makes  Journey perfect for a small reader who can interact with you while you read. The details that EV noticed and questions she asked shaped out version of the story. Sometimes it’s a very plain, descriptive version that simply explains the action on each page. Others it unfurls in the telling like a florid fairy tale, full of little asides and descriptions of the girl’s inner monologue.

Journey would already be a surefire recommendation if it stood alone, but Aaron Becker extended the story into two additional books –  Quest and  Return – that are somehow even more captivating than  Journey itself!

Return begins similarly to  Journey  – the girl decides to travel to her secret world when her father doesn’t play with her. This time, her father follows her to her room and discovers the open door and the fantastical world on the other side. He finds the girl, boy, and king meeting together, but they’re interrupted with the guards and a machine that can vacuum up their colorful creations – and their chalk! A chase ensues, in which the girl’s father sees all the ingenious ways she’s learned how to use the chalk. However, they have to work together to figure out how to protect the girl’s red chalk from capture and free the king and the boy from the grips of the guards.

There is so much to love in both books, but I’ll simply highlight my favorite element of each.

My main telling has the boy as much more tentative and unsure than the girl to emphasize how strong encouragement makes her a good leader and friend. However, there are other times I put them on more equal footing, or have them bicker amusingly. Sometimes the girl is cautious, while others she is headstrong and needs to be reeled back in by the boy.

Each person I’ve watched read it with EV gives the pair their own balance. The only thing you cannot really exclude is that the girl is clearly the protagonist of the series.

Return is  The Empire Strikes Back of the trilogy, because the introduction of the father to the story includes several potentially mind-blowing revelations that fundamentally change the story depending on how much you fixate on the details of the book.

• The father appears to be drawing at his work desk – what is his job or hobby?
• A door similar to the girl’s can be spotted in the father’s office early in the book. Does it already (or did it ever) lead to the fantasy world?
• The father and the girl both have looks of shock on their faces when they meet in the fantasy world. What is it that surprises each of them? What is it that causes the girl’s subsequent cross-armed reticence?
• The girl and her father encounter a series of seemingly prophetic sketches in a cave. How did they get there?
• Did the father always have the ability to draw in the world with his gray work pencil, or did something happen to cause it to be useful? And, do you think the gray looks similar to the gray of the guard’s armor?

If you read between the lines in those questions, you can see that there is an intriguing meta-narrative about the father that might change the meaning of the prior books depending on your interpretation. This is just one example of how the books open themselves up to growing in the retelling.

When I evaluate if a purchase was worthwhile, I do so on a matrix of dollars invested vs. time enjoyed vs. intensity of enjoyment. If I apply that matrix to the  Journey  books they are a relatively flat shape of nearly infinity length and width – meaning, they weren’t that expensive but there is  no end to the time and amount of enjoyment EV gets from them. She walks around the house with them clutched tightly to her little chest, and will sit for an hour retelling the stories to her stuffed animals and toys.

My sole critique of Journey is that Becker missed an easy opportunity to diversify his cast in making the little boy anything other than white. We don’t meet any of his relatives (OR DO WE?), so his whiteness doesn’t create consistency with any other element of the book. Having him be a kid of color who makes fast friends with the girl and joins in her adventure would only add to the wordless power of these books in displaying friendship, loyalty, and cooperation.

The  Journey  Trilogy is breathtaking modern classic of fantasy from Aaron Becker that can captivate kids from age 2 to 102. All it takes to enjoy them is an imagination and a willingness to get lost in the beautiful details of his fantasy world. If your toddler isn’t quite enough for it yet, she’ll get there.

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Journey, by Aaron Becker | Book Review

Book Review of  Journey The Children’s Book Review

Written and Illustrated by Aaron Becker

Ages 4+ | 40 Pages

Publisher: Candlewick | ISBN-13: 9780763660536

What to Expect: A Wordless Adventure

Sometimes there are no words to describe a book. And sometimes, there are no words in the actual book itself. Journey is one of those books—it’s both wordless and wondrous.

When a young girl draws a magic door on her bedroom wall and goes through it with her red marker, she leaves a drab-colored world and enters a magical world filled with color and adventure. Using a colored marker, she creates ways to navigate this unknown place: a boat, a balloon, a flying carpet, and a tandem bike. Amongst the world’s beauty, there is also danger, and an evil emperor captures the girl. How will she escape? How will she return home?

No spoiler here, but an unexpected friendship is the outcome of this incredibly gorgeous tale told only by the artwork on the pages. The little girl is adventurous, courageous, and kind and knows how to have fun. She will inspire you to take your own imaginative journey if you can tear yourself away from this incredible book.

The first book in a trilogy, Journey by Aaron Becker, won a most prestigious award—a Caldecott Honor Book in 2014.

Buy the Book

About the author-illustrator.

Aaron Becker has worked as an artist in the film and animation industry, where he helped define the look and feel of characters, stories, and the movies they become a part of. With Journey, he has created characters and worlds of his very own, using traditional materials and techniques. Aaron Becker lives with his wife, daughter, and cat in Amherst, Massachusetts.

What to Read Next if You Love Journey by Aaron Becker

Quest , by Aaron Becker

Return , by Aaron Becker

The Tree and the River , by Aaron Becker

Harold and the Purple Crayon , by Crockett Johnson

Where the Wild Things Are , by Maurice Sendak

The Red Book , by Barbara Lehman

Bianca Schulze reviewed  Journey by Aaron Becker. Discover more books like  Journey  by reading our reviews and articles tagged with Adventure .

What to Read Next:

• Return, by Aaron Becker | Book Review
• Caldecott Award: Randolph Caldecott Medal Winner | 2014
• Aaron Becker Discusses ‘The Tree and the River’
• Mango, Abuela, and Me | Book Review

• X (Twitter)

Bianca Schulze is the founder of The Children’s Book Review. She is a reader, reviewer, mother and children’s book lover. She also has a decade’s worth of experience working with children in the great outdoors. Combined with her love of books and experience as a children’s specialist bookseller, the goal is to share her passion for children’s literature to grow readers. Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, she now lives with her husband and three children near Boulder, Colorado.

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Bookshelf: Up, Up and Away

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By Sarah Harrison Smith

• July 12, 2013

PLANES FLY! By George Ella Lyon Illustrated by Mick Wiggins 40 pp. A Richard Jackson Book/Atheneum. $17.99. (Picture book; ages 4 to 8)

For children intrigued by flight, Lyon has written an energetic and exciting book in rhyme about planes of all sorts: “Bi-planes / tri-planes / gotta-love-the-sky-planes / Prop planes / jet planes / how-fast-can-you-get-planes.” With the look of 1930s travel posters, Wiggins’s intensely colored pictures show planes at their most glamorous, zipping between storm clouds and swooping low over forest fires. Even the in-flight snacks look appealing. Perhaps the golden age of travel isn’t over after all.

DAREDEVIL The Daring Life of Betty Skelton Written and illustrated by Meghan McCarthy 48 pp. A Paula Wiseman Book/Simon & Schuster. $16.99. (Picture book, ages 4 to 8)

In the 1930s, growing up near a Navy base in Pensacola, Fla., Betty Skelton fell in love with flight. A self-described “half-pint,” Skelton nevertheless became a fearless stunt pilot, famous for cutting through a ribbon tied between two poles with her plane’s propeller — while flying upside down. She later broke records in high-altitude flying, car racing and “boat jumping” — and trained as an astronaut. McCarthy’s googly-eyed portraits make Skelton’s story amusing as well as inspiring.

Up, Up and Away

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JOURNEY Written and illustrated by Aaron Becker 40 pp. Candlewick Press. $15.99. (Picture book; ages 4 to 8)

Though Becker has plenty of experience as an artist for films, “Journey” is his first book, and it’s a masterwork. In a tale told solely through pictures, a lonely little girl in a dull, sepia-toned city picks up a red marker and draws a door on her bedroom wall. Through it, she enters a lushly detailed imaginary world where, with the marker’s help, she floats and flies through a dramatic escapade and returns home with a friend. Though that marker will make you think of Crockett Johnson’s “Harold and the Purple Crayon,” Becker’s book has a beauty distinctly its own.

THE BOY AND THE AIRPLANE Written and illustrated by Mark Pett 40 pp. Simon & Schuster. $15.99. (Picture book; ages 4 to 10)

Using a palette almost as quiet as his wordless text, Pett’s witty if subdued picture book tells the story of a little boy who receives a toy airplane as a gift. After it lands out of reach on a roof, he tries everything he can think of (lasso, baseball, pogo stick, fireman’s hose — even a ladder!) to get the plane down. Finally, the flight of a winged seed suggests another solution. Patience is amply rewarded, for both boy and reader.

FLYING SOLO How Ruth Elder Soared Into America’s Heart By Julie Cummins Illustrated by Malene R. Laugesen Roaring Brook Press. $17.99. (Picture book; ages 6 to 9)

In the 1920s, before Amelia Earhart flew across the Atlantic, Ruth Elder, a beauty queen with ambition, attempted a similar feat. Though she and her co-pilot had to ditch their plane, American Girl, two-thirds of the way across, Elder’s pioneering spirit made her famous. She starred in two silent movies and took part in the first cross-country air race flown by women, dismissively known as the Powder Puff Derby. Laugesen’s big, dramatic illustrations give the reader a good sense of the landscapes — and fashions — of the early-20th-century setting.

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A Premier Resource for Awana(R) News and Information

Recommended Books for the Year

Below is a list of the handbooks Awana recommends for the Awana Year (as the years extend out, Awana may revise books/curriculum, we will update this page if Awana updates any materials – at this time, we are not aware of any planned updates/revisions for any of the Awana club programs)

Why does Summit use a different book/study than the recommended Journey book by Awana? When Awana first introduced the current Journey series, it was planned to be a four book rotation with the four books having the following names/themes: Disciples, Advocates, Witnesses, Leaders. After the three books were complete, Awana had taken on a bold task of updating several of the programs. It was decided to put the 4th book for Journey “on the shelf” and not produce it which initiated a 3-book rotation for the current Journey studies. Summit has maintained the 4-book rotation, using the classic Romans study for the fourth year, to maintain the Bible reading which is associated with each study for students working toward the Citation award. What is Summit? It is the national event for high school students using the Awana material. This event was originally organized and ran by Awana. It is now not a part of Awana and is run by volunteers. You can learn more about Summit on the Summit website .

• Cubbies: Honeycomb
• HangGlider is for Kindergarten
• WingRunner for 1st Grade
• SkyStormer for 2nd Grade
• T&T: Grace in Action
• Trek: His Love
• Journey: Witnesses
• Summit: Disciples
• Cubbies: Appleseed
• T&T: Evidence of Grace
• Trek: His People
• Journey: NEW 4th book (Identity)
• Summit: Advocates
• T&T: Agents of Grace
• Trek: His Story
• Journey: Disciples
• Summit: Witnesses
• T&T: Discovery of Grace
• Journey: Advocates
• Summit: Identity

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Great Picture Books About Journeys for Kids

Great Picture Books About Journeys for Kids . Wonderful picture books featuring different types of journeys that kids will love teachers and parents reading with them.

Some links on this site are affiliate links and I may earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you!  Learn more .

What You'll Find on This Page

Journeys are a common theme in picture books, and these three titles that I recently received to review reflect that theme beautifully. I’ve included one of my all-time favorite journey-themed picture books as a bonus.

Steppin Out: Everyday Journeys for Kids

In Steppin’ Out , poetry follows children through everyday journeys. Children visit grandparents, ride elevators, go to the beach, dance class, and more in this sweet collection of nineteen poems. Written by Lin Oliver and illustrated by Tomie dePaola.

Adventures in Asian Art: A Family Outing Journey for Kids

Adventures in Asian Art follows a mother and her three children as they journey through the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco. My preschooler especially LOVED the illustrations in this book. We live pretty close to this museum, and we clearly need to journey there ourselves soon!

The Road Home: Animal Journeys

The Road Home features different animal journeys to their homes. This book is unique in its empathy for the hungry wolves while featuring bunnies fleeing from their jaws. I love author Katie Cotton’s final line in this picture book: “This road is hard, this road is long, but we are not alone. For you are here, and I’m with you… and so this road is home.” Sarah Jacoby’s illustrations are beautiful.

A Wordless Picture Book About a Journey

Journey was published back in 2013, but I couldn’t publish a post on picture books about journeys without including this exquisite wordless picture book. Children will pore over Aaron Becker’s vibrant illustrations in this award-winning book.

Do you have any favorite picture books about journeys that we should read? Please share your suggestions on my Facebook page , or tag me on Instagram .

MaryAnne Kochenderfer

MaryAnne is a craft loving educator, musician, photographer, and writer who lives in Silicon Valley with her husband Mike and their four children.

4 thoughts on “Great Picture Books About Journeys for Kids”

I love wordless books for the stories they inspire in your head. I should have the kids do a writing assignment for one.

The art museum book sounds like it’d be fun to read.

We loved Journey. It actually has sequels – Quest and Return

What a fun list! Your family has taken some wonderful trips so I’m glad these picture books foster travel! Where are you going next?

Middle of nowhere, Idaho for a family reunion this summer. You have to get pretty remote to find a place that fits our entire family that is within our budget!

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31 Best Hero’s Journey Books to Add to Your Reading List

Interested in learning more about the hero’s journey stories? Discover the best hero’s journey books to begin your reading adventure !

Writers and readers love hero’s journey stories . From the origin stories of cultures to the twelfth-century poems that make up The Mabinogion (themselves derived from earlier oral traditions) to today’s blockbuster SF-laden movies, the monomyth is a part of our collective, subconscious experience .

These stories feature certain archetypes and follow a set pattern. The hero sets off on a quest from his/her ordinary world (The Departure), subsequently learns a lesson or obtains new knowledge , and uses this to triumph over something, someone, or a set of circumstances (The Initiation).

The hero then returns to his/her own world, transformed or with the tools needed to enact positive change (The Return). Below, we take a look at the 31 best books to add to your reading list if you’re a fan of the genre. This list pairs nicely with our roundup of movies that follow the hero’s journey .

1. The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien

2. the odyssey by homer, 3. harry potter and the sorcerer’s stone by jk rowling, 4. the alchemist by paulo coelho, 5. the inferno by dante alighieri, 6. the goose girl by shannon hale, 7. the wizard of oz by l frank baum, 8. the hunger games by suzanne collins, 9. to kill a mockingbird by harper lee, 10. where the mountain meets the moon by grace lin, 11. don quixote by miguel de cervantes, 12. the 5th wave by rick yancey, 13. beowulf, 14. siddhartha: an indian novel by hermann hesse, 15. a separate reality by carlos castaneda, 16. across the universe by beth revis, 17. american gods by neil gaiman, 18. little briar rose (sleeping beauty) by the brothers grimm, 19. jane eyre by charlotte bronte, 20. the pilgrim’s progress by john bunyan, 21. the hound of the baskervilles by arthur conan doyle, 22. treasure island by robert louis stevenson, 23. argonautica by apollonius, 24. the fault in our stars by john green, 25. holes by louis sachar, 26. interstellar by greg keyes, 27. divergent by veronica roth, 28. the buried giant by kazuo ishiguro, 29. alice in wonderland by lewis carroll, 30. the lion, the witch and the wardrobe by c.s. lewis, 31. fight club by chuck palahniuk, here are the best books that follow the hero’s journey.

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien has featured regularly on best-seller lists since its first publication in 1937 and is widely cited as one of the twentieth century’s most beloved and influential novels. It’s a classic hero’s journey genre tale, too – featuring an unlikely hero in the form of Bilbo Baggins.

This unassuming hobbit is swept off on an adventure when Gandalf, the wizard, and a company of dwarves appear on his doorstep. He finds himself part of a mission to reclaim a fabulous horde of treasure from under the very nose of the fearsome dragon Smaug the Magnificent. For more, check out our guide to the best fantasy authors. You can also check out our guide on hero’s journey archetypes .

“This is a story of how a Baggins had an adventure , and found himself doing and saying things altogether unexpected.” JRR Tolkien

The Odyssey tells the story of Odysseus and is one of the oldest surviving works of literature that’s still being read by audiences today. This epic story tells the tale of the wandering king, trying to get home to his wife Penelope following the end of the Trojan War. The tale features all the tropes of a hero’s journey story, from its opening.

Odysseus is portrayed in his ordinary life, through to the Crossing the Threshold section, where the Gods become enraged with the hero and his company, summoning a storm to throw their boat off course, to The Return, whereby after completing a final challenge, Odysseus is returned to his royal life with Penelope.

“A man who has been through bitter experiences and traveled far enjoys even his sufferings after a time.” Homer

JK Rowling’s worldwide best-seller Harry Potter is a prime example of the hero’s journey tale. The book starts with Harry in the ordinary world before moving through all of the typical hero’s journey stages, as detailed by Joseph Campbell in his book The Hero with a Thousand Faces. Harry receives the invitation letter to Hogwarts (The Call to Adventure ), struggles to accept this sudden turn of events (Refusal of the Call), and Meets the Mentor – in the first book, this is Hagrid.

The Crossing the Threshold stage is his literal passing through the wall to access Platform 9 3/4 at the station. The Ordeal is represented by the various challenges the young wizard encounters at his new school, culminating in his temporary triumph over Voldemort. At the end of the book, he returns to the world of the muggles for the summer vacation, happy that he’ll be returning to Hogwarts soon (The Return).

“A breeze ruffled the neat hedges of Privet Drive, which lay silent and tidy under an inky sky, the very last place you would expect astonishing things to happen.” JK Rowling

The hero’s journey takes many different forms: it’s not always about defeating villains or finding lost treasure. The genre can also be powerfully deployed in the service of a spiritual quest tale, as in this novel. While the young protagonist, who is a perfect example of the Innocent/Orphan hero archetype, might start his journey looking for real-world riches, what unfolds is a beautiful story of self-discovery. Ultimately, The Alchemist is about the importance of heeding our hearts and the transformative power of dreams.

“Remember that wherever your heart is, there you will find your treasure.” Paulo Coelho

The first volume of The Divine Comedy is considered a literary masterpiece, following the hero’s journey on a quest through the various Circles of Hell. After meeting Virgil (the Mentor), our narrator progresses, facing numerous trials and tests, always seeking his beloved Beatrice. Although he sometimes has ‘weapons’ with which to face his adversaries, his most potent weapon is his faith in his journey , which is a blend of both a spiritual and a physical mission.

“Soon you will be where your own eyes will see the source and cause and give you their own answer to the mystery.” Dante Alighieri

New York Times bestselling author Shannon Hale has written the book The Goose Girl that, although aimed at middle-schoolers, has become much loved by kids and adults alike. Drawing on the tradition of folktales, it’s a heroine’s journey story, recounting the tale of Ani, who’s uncomfortable around people but able to communicate easily with animals. She leaves her world behind. However, when she’s sent away to marry. Despite disaster striking, she finds herself in a job where she can use her unique talents and give voice to her inner self.

If we don’t tell strange stories, when something strange happens we won’t believe it.” Shannon Hale

A key element of the heroine’s journey is, while it maintains recognizable archetype qualities, there is an overcoming or subversion of society’s expectations regarding women. Rather than staying at home in Kanas, Dorothy, in the book The Wizard of Oz has the adventure she longs for.

While the hero’s journey stories tend to move from the inner world to the outer (from the darkness to the light), the heroine’s journey is usually the inverse of this, with characters moving from the outer world to a deeper communion with their inner selves and desires.

“The true courage is in facing danger when you are afraid, and that kind of courage you have in plenty.’“ L Frank Baum

Envisioning a dystopian new world in which each District is compelled to send two children between the ages of twelve and sixteen to compete in the annual Hunger Games , Suzanne Collins’ novels are widely cited as examples of the hero’s journey genre. Now a Hollywood blockbuster series of movies, the story demonstrates how the tropes inherent in Homer’s tale of Odysseus, written nearly 3,000 years ago, are still alive and kicking today.

Looking for the perfect reads for teens? Explore our comprehensive guide featuring the best books for teenagers . Whether they’re into fantasy, adventure, or real-life stories, our list has something for every young reader. Check out the top picks now!

“I’m more than just a piece in their Games.” Suzanne Collins

To Kill a Mockingbird is set in 1930s Alabama, Atticus Finch is a lawyer attempting to defend and prove the innocence of Tom Robinson, a black man wrongly accused of raping a white woman. Atticus’s hero’s journey is largely a psychological one, in which he faces his own innermost beliefs, and is forced to confront morality and prejudice in the south of the US, how this manifests, and its impact on the individual and society – as well as the delivery of justice.

“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view. Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.” Harper Lee

Another bestselling novel adored by adults and children alike, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon chronicles Minli’s quest as she journies to find the Old Man on the Moon. Drawing on Chinese folktales, this rich fantasy, accompanied by the author’s beautiful illustrations, follows Minli as she encounters a range of otherworldly characters in her quest to find the answers to some of life’s biggest questions.

“If you make happy those that are near, those that are far will come.” Grace Lin

The Spanish masterpiece, Don Quixote , first published in 1605, begins in the ordinary world of Alonso Quijano, a middle-aged man who loves nothing more than reading stories about knights and their adventures. Deciding to leave behind his own life to become a knight errant himself, Alonso changes his name to Don Quixote and sets off on a series of heroic deeds – some more successful than others!

“It is by rugged paths like these they go that scale the heights of immortality, unreached by those that falter here below.” Miguel de Cervantes

This Amazon bestseller by Rick Yancey received the Goodreads Choice award. The Fifth Wave focuses on Cassie and Evan, two of the last human survivors on Earth following an alien invasion, dreading the imminent fourth wave. As a hero’s journey tale, Cassie must tackle both a physical, dangerous quest and attempt to understand the truth of the terrifying new world she’s inhabiting.

“Some things you don’t have to promise, you just do.” Rick Yancey

The hero in this Old English epic poem Beowulf from an unknown author follows precisely the steps outlined by Joseph Campbell in The Hero with a Thousand Faces. From the Call to Adventure and the Refusal of the Call and all the way through to The Return – otherwise known as The Elixir- in which the hero brings something back from his adventure to benefit society. In the case of Beowulf, it’s the insight he has gained, that will keep his people safe going forward, and his blessing of peace,

“In the time I was given I lived in my own land, ruling my people well, never turning to treachery, or swearing to oaths contrary to right.” Beowulf

A much-loved novel published in 1951 that follows the classic hero’s journey template, Siddhartha concerns the titular character on his quest for self-discovery. Deciding to leave his home in the ancient Nepalese kingdom of Kapilavastu, Siddhartha sets out as a wandering beggar seeking spiritual enlightenment. Through his journeying, the hero learns the importance of loving the world in its entirety and that a single, fixed belief does not constitute truth.

“ Knowledge can be communicated, but not wisdom. One can find it, live it, do wonders through it, but one cannot communicate and teach it.” Hermann Hesse

With its mind-bending perspectives and mythic structure, it’s unclear how much of this book A Separate Reality is fictional and how much is based on reality. With its clear mentor character (the Yaqui Indian shaman, Don Juan) and the dangerous journey at its heart that the protagonist is compelled to undertake, it’s a clear example of the hero’s journey story – though possibly one that pushes the boundaries of the genre more than any you’ve come across!

“We are men and our lot in life is to learn and be hurled into inconceivable new worlds.” Carols Castaneda

In the book Across the Universe , Amy awakens fifty years too soon from cryosleep, she finds herself aboard the spaceship Godspeed and in a terrifying situation. Realizing that her awakening didn’t happen by accident (The Call to Action), Amy has to accept the truth that someone else on board wants her dead – and that her parents, still in cryosleep, could be the next victims if she doesn’t figure out what’s going on. But meeting Eldest, the future leader of the ship, changes everything.

“Even when you are silent, even when you block out all noise, your body is still a cacophony of life.” Beth Revis

American Gods blend fantasy and world mythology (both old and new), this novel widely divides its audience: it falls into the love it or loathe it category. But whatever your views on the plot and the writing, it’s an innovative take on the hero’s journey trope that reimagines the genre.

Even its archetype, Shadow, is a vivid and disturbing (yet recognizable) hero figure – although, in typical Neil Gaiman style, the name ‘Shadow’ is also one of the character archetypes set out by Christopher Vogler’s author of the influential book, The Writer’s Journey .

“Even nothing cannot last forever.” Nail Gaiman

Fairy tales are great places to look for the hero’s journey stories themselves, born from ancient folktales, legends, and myths. There are many versions of this tale, many of which feature very dark and disturbing themes, but the Grimms’ version of Little Briar Rose (Sleeping Beauty) is relatively tame.

While reading , consider the extent to which the story is a hero’s or a heroine’s journey tale – thinking about the journey from outer to inner (and vice versa) and how this relates to the narrative of both the prince and Briar Rose herself.

“The pigeons upon the roof pulled out their heads from under their wings, looked round, and flew into the open country; the flies on the wall crept again; the fire in the kitchen burned up and flickered and cooked the meat; the joint began to turn and fizzle again.” Brothers Grimm

In his writings, the renowned psychiatrist and psychoanalyst Carl Jung outlined his ideas about archetypes, including archetypal journies, contending that humans’ unconscious minds are remarkably similar. This is why the hero’s journey stories have always permeated literature and art and continue to do so.

At its heart, the journey of Jane Eyre is the same as that taken by Luke Skywalker in Star Wars, despite the time and genre divide between the two. Just as Luke’s quest is about discovering truth and recognizing potential, so Jane’s journey is concerned with growth and independence – and there’s a disturbing truth in the attic to confront along the way, too.

Just as with Skywalker, Jane emerges at the end of the tale as a strong, loyal, passionate character who has faced a devastating reality and emerged from the ordeal with even greater reserves of tenacity than before. For more, check out our guide to the best British authors .

“I am no bird; and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will.” Charlotte Bronte

The Pilgrim’s Progress is a classic hero’s journey tale and, at times, the most widely read book in the world, second only to The Bible, Bunyan’s book is concerned with the importance of learning and reading and the innate value of community. The hero, Christian, leaves his home and must face a series of trials – key to the genre. However, each tribulation or challenge must be thoroughly understood if a pilgrim is to progress. There’s even a final trial – a test of faith – which Christians must pass to access the Celestial City.

“The road of denial leads to the precipice of destruction.” John Bunyan

The greatest literary detective of all time, Sherlock Holmes, is a hero archetype: The Researcher (the character of Indiana Jones also falls within this hero category). The Hound of the Baskervilles is one of the most well-known stories featuring Holmes and his trusty sidekick Dr. Watson. This is a great book for those interested in the hero’s journey genre, as the stages are so clearly delineated, from the Call to Action (Holmes’ enlistment to the case) through to The Return, whereby Watson files the case closed.

“The world is full of obvious things which nobody by any chance ever observes.” Arthur Conan Doyle

In this classic novel Treasure Island by a 19th-century author, we meet Jim going about his daily life in the inn that his family owns. Following the Call to Action, where the boy becomes fascinated with the ‘black spot’ presented to the old captain, Billy Bones, who’s staying at the inn, Jim becomes embroiled in an epic adventure on the high seas in search of buried treasure.

“We are all travelers in the wilderness of this world, and the best we can find in our travels is an honest friend.” Robert Louis Stevenson

Testament to the power of myth is the enduring popularity of this story, which recounts the adventures of Jason and the Argonauts as they quest for the golden fleece. The epic, written – incredibly – in the third century BC, remains so widely read that there are not only multiple versions available on Amazon, but you can listen to it as an audiobook, too! Argonautica features all the archetypal stages of the genre, including the Refusal of the Call, whereby Jason initially urges the heroes to elect another leader for the voyage. Once chosen, though, Heracles insists that Jason can take up the mantle, confident he can lead the band to victory.

“But friendly Juno shrouds/Her favorite heroes in a veil of clouds.” Apollonius

The Fault in Our Stars , a bestseller that was also received extremely well by critics, this novel is a hero’s journey tale with a difference. Hazel, our protagonist, is sixteen years old and suffering from thyroid cancer that has spread to her lungs. Her parents insist she attends a support group (Crossing the Threshold) where she meets Augustus Walters, a seventeen-year-old osteosarcoma survivor. It’s now a Hollywood blockbuster movie that captures Amy’s journey into love.

“My name is Hazel. Augustus Waters was the great star-crossed love of my life.” John Green

When fourteen-year-old Stanley is wrongly convicted of stealing, he’s sent to a correctional camp where the inmates are forced by the warden to dig holes, seemingly at random. The story of Holes is comprised of three individual but interconnected tales. It makes for a fascinating take on the hero’s journey genre, the pattern of which can be seen both in the three stand-alone stories and in the overarching triptych.

“You’re responsible for yourself. You messed up your life, and it’s up to you to fix it.” Louis Sachar

This novelization of the Hollywood movie Interstellar is an exciting account of a team of interstellar explorers sent through a newly discovered wormhole – and what the ramifications of this mean for humanity. Despite being written thousands of years after Argonautica, the story shares a remarkably similar bone structure, as our hero literally navigates new worlds in a quest to return with the solution that will save the human race from extinction.

“We’ve always defined ourself by our ability to overcome the impossible.” Jonathan Nolan

Divergent by Veronica Roth offers a dystopian version of a future in which society is divided into five factions, each representing a certain virtue. Beatrice has been assigned the Abnegation faction but feels a Call to Action: in her heart, she knows she belongs to Dauntless. While set in a distant future, the tale follows the traditional archetypal hero’s journey ; after the Call, Beatrice (now Tris) must resist several temptations, cross a threshold, and must survive a final ordeal to emerge at the novel’s finale, transformed and triumphant.

“I feel like someone breathed new air into my lungs. I am not Abnegation. I am not Dauntless. I am Divergent.” Veronica Roth

Beautiful and strange, The Buried Giant uses the mythic structure as both framework and plot. We follow a couple across a mystical, fiction, post-Arthurian landscape that is as shrouded in mist as their fast-disappearing memories. Both are convinced that they once had a son and so set out on a quest to find him. The author wrote the book as a meditation on collective memory, making it both an example and an interrogation of the hero’s journey tale.

“I’m wondering if without our memories, there’s nothing for it but for our love to fade and die.” Kazuo Ishiguro

Crossing the threshold via a fall down a rabbit hole, Alice arrives in Wonderland, where nothing is as it seems, and both adventure and danger lurk around every corner. But is the Caterpillar, The White Rabbit, or The Mad Hatter the Mentor? Just as with everything else in the story of Alice in Wonderland , it’s a riddle. But what’s for sure is that the story follows the classic monomyth template as set out by Joseph Campbell.

“‘I could tell you my adventures – beginning from this morning,’ said Alice a little timidly: ‘but it’s no use going back to yesterday because I was a different person then.’” Lewis Carroll

In some hero’s journey books, the stages are subtle – you can find them, but you may need to look closely. As in Alice in Wonderland, the phases are made obvious in this novel The Chronicles of Narnia : the kids literally step over the threshold of the magical wardrobe and into the enchanted world of Narnia. The Refusal of the Call comes when the children initially turn back, fearful of their ability to navigate their way home. They return and take on the challenges set for them by one of literature’s ultimate Mentor figures, Aslan.

“All shall be done, but it may be harder than you think.” C.S. Lewis

Just because the hero’s journey genre is as old as time doesn’t mean it’s not subject to continual innovation – as in this novel, where the hero’s Mentor and biggest challenge to overcome is…literally himself. Fight Club is a cult phenomenon that’s made the leap to mainstream hit, helped along by the success of the great screenwriting featured in the Hollywood movie version of the book. Visionary, satirical, and a personal enlightenment journey like no other, Fight Club gleefully reimagines the hero’s journey genre to spectacular effect.

“If I could wake up in a different place, at a different time, could I wake up as a different person?” Chuck Palahniuk

Top 10 Journeys And Voyages Books

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• HISTORY & CULTURE

The real history behind the legend of Sun Wukong, China's Monkey King

Video game “Black Myth: Wukong” is introducing an entirely new audience to the star character from 16th century classic “Journey to the West.”

Sun Wukong, a monkey with human characteristics and abilities, is one of the best loved and most enduring characters in Chinese literature. Armed with a staff and extraordinary abilities, Sun Wukong, aka The Monkey King, comes from the 16th-century classic Journey to the West .

In the centuries since his literary debut, Sun Wukong has been the subject of movies, TV shows, and games across both the East and the West. Most recently, his story inspired the video game Black Myth: Wukong , introducing new audiences to the beloved character.      

The seed of Sun Wukong’s story lies in a real-life pilgrimage  

The story of Sun Wukong begins with history, not myth. In 629, Xuanzang, a Buddhist monk in China, began a 16-year, 10,000-mile journey to track down holy texts in India. Xuanzang’s account of his journey, Records of the Western Regions , became so ingrained in the Chinese imagination that they served as the basis for the novel Journey to the West , which first appeared in print in the 1590s.

The novel, attributed to writer Wu Cheng'en, fictionalizes Xuanzang’s journey, transforming the historical figure into the fictional monk Tang Sanzang. He is joined by three mythical helpers who protect him on his pilgrimage, including a monkey called Sun Wukong.

Birth of the Monkey King

Scholars can’t say for certain where the character of Sun Wukong came from, but Journey to the West likely borrowed from existing myths and legends. Some possible sources of inspiration for the character include Wuzhiqi, an ape-like figure in Chinese mythology, and Hanuman , a Hindu god with a monkey’s face.

Despite unresolved questions about the character’s roots, there is no ambiguity surrounding Sun Wukong’s origin story in Journey to the West : A stone gives birth to an egg , which transforms into Sun Wukong. He likely appears as a macaque , a kind of monkey that lives throughout Asia.

He soon earns the title “Monkey King” through a daring act of courage. While living with fellow monkeys on Flower Fruit Mountain, they stumble on a waterfall. Sun Wukong volunteers to jump across the stream of water to see what is on the other side. He discovers a cave, and the monkeys reward his bravery by naming him their king.

  Sun Wukong has superhuman abilities and plays by his own rules

Sun Wukong possesses extraordinary powers . Among them: 72 Transformations, which enable him to shape-shift. Space is no obstacle for him, and one story recounts how he travels thousands of miles with a single somersault.

Journey to the West also extols Sun Wukong’s martial skills, aided by his strength, staff, and ability to fly.

Sun Wukong embodies many of the characteristics people associate with monkeys, including mischievousness. As a trickster figure, he shares attributes with other fixtures of myth and legend, such as Loki , Reynard , and Brer Rabbit .

The Monkey King bristles against authority, and he is troubled by the fact that there is one thing he’ll never be able to conquer: death. So he sets out to gain immortality, spending years wandering the world in search of it.  

His journey to find immortality takes him all the way to heaven, the realm of the Jade Emperor. The Monkey King gets into all manner of mischief there, including sneaking into forbidden parts of the palace. In another incident, he gorges on special peaches and spoils a royal banquet.

Sun Wukong even proclaims himself the Jade Emperor’s equal. The Jade Emperor seeks help from the Buddha to punish him, and so he imprisons the Monkey King in a mountain. He remains incarcerated there for 500 years, until an unexpected opportunity for redemption arises.

Sun Wukong’s great journey  

When Tang Sanzang begins his travels in Journey to the West , he comes across Sun Wukong, still imprisoned in the mountain. The monkey agrees to protect him on his pilgrimage so that he can win his freedom.  

On the road, Sun Wukong proves to be a formidable bodyguard for the monk as demons and spirits pursue the travelers . Some of them hope to prevent Tang Sanzang from collecting the holy texts; others believe they can become immortal by consuming the monk’s body . None of these villains are successful, thanks to Sun Wukong’s powers. In thanks for this, Sun Wukong is elevated to become an honorary Buddha.

Though Journey to the West was technically about Tang Sanzang’s pilgrimage, readers embraced Sun Wukong, and he became the most popular character in the novel.

Sun Wukong spent parts of Journey to the West searching for immortality, and he eventually found it in the real world: in literature and pop culture. In this rich afterlife, Sun Wukong has inspired films, plays, television series, video games, and comic books, ensuring that this enduring character will continue to embark on new adventures with future generations.

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Journey's Call (Journey Russo FBI Mystery Series Book 1) Kindle Edition

When fate calls, death could be dialing..

• Book 1 of 6 Journey Russo FBI Mystery Series
• Print length 242 pages
• Language English
• Sticky notes On Kindle Scribe
• Publication date February 5, 2024
• File size 2926 KB
• Page Flip Enabled
• Word Wise Enabled
• Enhanced typesetting Enabled
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Product details

• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CSZHZRSR
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Mary Stone Publishing (February 5, 2024)
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 5, 2024
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• File size ‏ : ‎ 2926 KB
• Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
• Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 242 pages
• #22 in Serial Killers
• #22 in Police Procedurals (Books)
• #27 in Murder Thrillers

About the author

Nestled in the tranquil Blue Ridge Mountains of East Tennessee, Mary Stone has transformed her peaceful home, once bustling with her sons, into a creative haven. As her family grew, so did her writing career, evolving from childhood fears to a deep understanding of real-life villains. Her stories, centered around strong, unconventional heroines, weave themes of courage and intrigue.

Mary's journey from a solitary writer to establishing her own publishing house marks a significant evolution, showcasing her commitment to the literary world. Through her writing and publishing endeavors, she continues to captivate and inspire, honoring her lifelong fascination with the mysterious and the courageous.

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Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

Customers say

Customers find the book very readable and engaging. They also appreciate the strong leading ladies and fast-paced story. Readers also praise the good character development.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Customers find the book very good, nicely written, and a quick read. They also say it's an excellent first book for Journey and praised the strong leading ladies.

"This was a really good one ...." Read more

" Enjoyed this book very much . I like how Journey and Lucas interact together. Payback can be devastating. I would like to see a prequel to this book...." Read more

" Another good read . Full of twists and nail-biting turns. Great new characters and storylines. I love how she can keep coming up with new stories." Read more

"...Really enjoyed the journey ! Oh pun intended. Easy to read , kept my attention throughout the story." Read more

Customers find the story engaging, fast-paced, and intriguing. They also say the characters are smart and interesting.

"...The two new partners meld easily and that makes it more fun and interesting ...." Read more

"...What was hinted at in this book sounds very intriguing ." Read more

"...Great new characters and storylines. I love how she can keep coming up with new stories ." Read more

"This is an interesting mystery that keeps you in suspense until the end . The detective duo form a witty bond . Will be reading more if this series" Read more

Customers appreciate the good character development.

"Another good read. Full of twists and nail-biting turns. Great new characters and storylines . I love how she can keep coming up with new stories." Read more

"The character development was good , as was the plot...." Read more

"... Good character development and my only complaint is that the crimes are described in graphic detail which I found disturbing...." Read more

"... Interesting characters and dialog ." Read more

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From books to webinars: Indonesia gears up for Pope Francis’ arrival

By Mathias Hariyadi, LiCAS News

The new book titled “ Kata Bertuah Paus Fransiskus ” (The Magic Words of Pope Francis), authored by Father Valentinus “Troy” Robi, SDV, was launched two weeks before the Papal Visit. 

Father Robi, a young Indonesian Vocationist priest currently based in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, explained his motivation stemmed from his deep admiration for Pope Francis during his studies in Naples. 

“The Pontiff’s profound comments on various societal issues inspired me to compile his teachings into a book,” said Father Robi. 

The publication was supported by the Yayasan Karsa Cipta Asa Foundation, marking Father Robi’s debut as an author.

In addition to the new release, Indonesian publishers such as Kompas and PT Gramedia Pustaka Utama are reissuing previous titles on Pope Francis, further demonstrating the local excitement. 

These publications respond to Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo’s calls for a deeper engagement with the Pope’s teachings rather than focusing solely on his public Masses.

Father Ferry Sutrisna Wijaja Pr, from the Bandung Diocese, has been a pioneer in advocating for a comprehensive understanding of Pope Francis’ impact on the Church and the world. 

He has facilitated the availability of several books in Bahasa Indonesia, discussing the Pontiff’s significant documents like Laudato si' and Fratelli tutti .

The enthusiasm also extends into the digital sphere, with recent webinars featuring notable figures such as the Indonesian Ambassador to the Holy See, Trias Kuncahyono, and Fr. Ag. Purnama, MSF Superior General. 

These online seminars have explored the significance of the Pope’s teachings and his upcoming visit to Indonesia.

A cultural initiative includes historical site visits organized by Father Yustinus Sulistiadi Pr in Jakarta, aimed at educating journalists and media influencers about significant locations the Pope will visit. 

These include the Jakarta Cathedral and the Grha Pemuda, a historical site tied to the nationalist Youth Oath of 1928.

As the visit draws nearer, the Jakarta Cathedral Church is also making physical preparations, including special arrangements to accommodate the Pope’s wheelchair, ensuring his accessible and meaningful interaction with the congregation.

This article was originally published on https://www.licas.news/ . All rights reserved. Unauthorized republication by third parties is not permitted.

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