Heros and heroines are important figures in all our lives, and especially so in the lives of young people. Children’s and young adult fictional literature throughout history is filled with heroic people and animals who have inspired us in our lives in ways great and small. Heroic characters may wear a cape and have superpowers, some may save a life, a city, or even an entire civilization, but more often, they are ordinary people who do extraordinary acts of goodness. They inspire us to try harder, lend a hand, strive for greatness, persevere, stand up for what is right or face a difficult situation with courage. Our shelves at Interabang are filled with heroes and heroines of all kinds. Many you may recognize, and many may be new to you, but here are just a few to help you be a little braver, a little stronger, or perhaps become someone else’s hero or heroine.
Young Children’s Heroes and Heroines:
Tacky the Penguin from TACKY THE PENGUIN
Balto from THE INCREDIBLE LIFE OF BALTO
Irene from BRAVE IRENE
Pooh from WINNIE THE POOH
Lassie from LASSIE COME HOME
Officer Buckle and Gloria from OFFICER BUCKLE AND GLORIA
Middle-Grade Reader Heroes and Heroines:
Harry Potter from the HARRY POTTER series
Hermione Granger from the HARRY POTTER series
Matilda Wormwood from MATILDA
Charlotte from CHARLOTTE'S WEB
Dita from THE LIBRARIAN OF AUSCHWITZ
Huckleberry Finn from ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN
Pippi from PIPPI LONGSTOCKINGS
Gandalf from THE HOBBIT
Ane Shirle from ANNE OF GREEN GABLES
Jo March from LITTLE WOMEN
Ruthie Mizrahi from LUCKY BROKEN GIRL
Percy Jackon from THE LIGHTNING THIEF
Young Adult Reader’s Heroes and Heroines
Leisel from BOOK THIEF
Katniss Everdeen from THE HUNGER GAMES series
Peeta Mellark from THE HUNGER GAMES seres
Lina from BETWEEN SHADES OF GRAY
Augustus Waters from THE FAULT IN OUR STARS
Cassandra Mortmain in I CAPTURE THE CASTLE