The Invincible List of Lani Li

A challenge from her little brother and a Chinese fable inspire Lani Li to hit every note of invincible bravery on her band trip to London.

Thirteen-year-old Lani Li has grown up with the tale of the Eight Invincible Brothers—Chinese heroes who use their superpowers to conquer challenges. Lani wishes she could be as brave as them, especially as she faces her own test of courage . . .

When Lani's elite performance band is chosen to perform in London, she should be thrilled. But with too many fears to count and her little brother, Gavin, unable to join her due to a serious heart condition, the trip feels more daunting than exciting. Before Lani leaves, Gavin gives her a challenge: tap into her own hidden strength by embodying the Eight Invincible Brothers—and each of their special powers.

In London, Lani creates her own “invincible list” based on the fable, and as she checks off each quality, she discovers that these “superpowers” might not be as farfetched as they seem. But when the final challenge demands that she face a daunting fear—running down the famous Cooper’s Hill in a wild cheese race—Lani wonders if she has what it takes to complete the list.

With her brother’s courage as her guide, can Lani conquer her fears and prove she’s invincible in her own way? Or will this last challenge be the one that defeats her?

©2025 Veeda Bybee (P)2025 Shadow Mountain Publishing

Magical Story

I absolutely adored The Invincible List of Lani Li. Veeda Bybee did such a phenomenal job with this story. She actually came to my university for a guest lecture and reading, and she immediately sparked my interest. Even though it is technically aimed at a middle-grade audience, the book has incredible life lessons that apply to everyone. I will definitely be recommending this to my younger sisters and keeping it on my shelf for my own kids one day.
The plot follows Lani, whose band is selected to perform in London. It should be the best moment of her life, but her little brother, Gavin, cannot go because of a serious heart condition. To help her cope with her fear and guilt, Gavin challenges her to embody the Eight Invincible Brothers. This is a reference to a classic Chinese folktale that Lani's family uses as their own story because they have eight children. In the tale, each brother possesses a unique superpower, such as having iron bones or the ability to swallow the ocean.
The symbolism of the Eight Invincible Brothers is really the heart of the book. For Lani, these are not literal superpowers. They represent different types of internal strength and resilience. As she works through her list of challenges in London, she learns how to tap into her cultural identity to find courage. Each task Gavin gives her serves as a metaphor for overcoming the "monsters" in her own life, such as stage fright or the anxiety of being away from her family.
Bybee does a great job showing that Lani isn’t just traveling for herself; she is carrying her brother’s spirit and her family's heritage with her. The bond between Lani and Gavin is so moving because it shows how much we can do when we are motivated by love for someone else. It’s a beautiful look at how our roots and our relationships can make us feel invincible, even when we feel small or scared. The book is a great reminder that bravery is not about being fearless, but about finding the strength to move forward anyway.