Sunday, March 4, 2012

Heroes for All

Everyone needs heroes and the wonderful thing about life, books, graphic novels, movies, and entertainment is that our heroes come in all shapes, sizes, and costumes; they go solo or have sidekicks and foils, and ALL give us a run for our money.

Hero was coined in English in the 1300's and is derived from the Greek ἥρως, hḗrōs  which means protector or defender.

But what is a HERO (aside from a very big messy sandwich)?


 While we all have variations in our definitions / opinions of "hero"  Here are a few:
  • "A hero is no braver than an ordinary man, but he is brave five minutes longer" - Ralph Waldo Emerson
  • "The ordinary man is involved in action, the hero acts.  An immense difference" - Henry Miller
  • "A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself"  - Joseph Campbell
  • "A real hero is always a hero by mistake; he dreams of being an honest coward like everybody else" - Umberto Eco (in Travels in Hyper reality)
  • "A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles" - Christopher Reeve
On the importance of heroes in our kids' lives:
  • Heroes serve as role models to learn from and emulate;
  • Heroes introduce values that are both universal and culture specific;
  • Heroes inspire us tobe 'better' and set loftier goals and expectations for ourselves and others;
  • Heroes teach us courage, compassion, resourcefulness, and perseverance to rise against our own weaknesses or against stifling oppression;
  • Heroes often teach creative problem solving while fighting for unselfish goals.
Kids need to have, enjoy, and evaluate these figures as they select role models and begin to shape who they want to become. There are heroes everywhere, right in front of us, with powers of dedication, charity, compassion, selflessness, and strength of will, character, and muscle.  It's important for us to talk about these everyday heroes and how they face life's problems.

Below, are some of my favorite children's picture book, prose and graphic novel heroes. I have passed over the obvious choices, hoping to introduce less-known gems to boost your treasure trove of heroes.

PICTURE BOOK AND EASY READING ILLUSTRATED CHAPTER BOOK HEROES:

    Tacky from Tacky the Penguin by Helen Lester.  Tacky is an odd bird who has his own special 'way' about him and does not fit in with the others. Tacky, in his own inimitable way not only shows the others that different can be fun, he uses his 'special (awkward) powers' to save the day.

    Ping from The Empty Pot by Demi - is a Chinese boy who faces a stiff challenge set by the Emperor with honor, grace and courage.

      Princess Elizabeth from The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch - had planned to marry Prince Ronald, until a dragon arrives, kidnaps Ronald and burns everything in sight.  Elizabeth challenges the dragon and saves the prince but on her journey she ends up doing a lot more than that...she saves herself.

      Pippi from Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren, illustrated by Michael Chesworth - (an early reader chapter book this can be read aloud to younger children and savored by older ones as well).  Pippi is a feisty, red-headed unconventional nine-year-old with superhuman strength (she can lift her horse) who lives in a small Swedish village with her monkey and horse - no adults, no relatives.  She befriends the kids next door and together they have many adventures.  Pippi, shows kids how to be alone and independent, how to embrace being different, and how to come to terms with what life has to offer.
      Pink and Say from Patricia Polacco's Pink and Say - a story about her great, great, grandfather Sheldon Curtis (Say) a white boy fighting for the Union, who is found unconscious and left for dead on a battlefield by Pinkus Aylee, a black boy also fighting for the Union. Their lives become intricately intertwined as they fight to stay alive and save their families during the Civil War. Here is a YouTube clip of Patricia Polacco introducing the book, the real life background, and reading Part 1 of her book to students.  It's not a super quality but the content is well worth the look:

      PROSE BOOKS FOR AGES 9-12:

      Cimorene from Patricia Wrede's Dealing With Dragons is sick of learning etiquette and would like to learn fencing, math, Latin, and the ways of the world.  One morning an enchanted frog tells her she should seek help from the Dragons, and her life as an independent young woman begins.  She ends up not only saving herself, but her kingdom as well.(Grades 3+)

      Jonah from Lois Lowry's The Giver - lives in a dystopian society that has eliminated pain and suffering.  Their collective societal pains and memories are entrusted to a Giver and in his twelfth year Jonas learns he is to be the next Giver. Jonas must incorporate societal memories, pains and fears and decide not only how to cope with them, but how to act for betterment of his culture.

      Arnold Spirit, Jr., from The Absolutely True Story of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie is a bright, motivated, budding cartoonist living on his impoverished reservation. His high school teacher encourages him to go to an off-reservation all-white school in the nearby town.  Arnold must deal with racism (both from his reservation friends and his peers in his new school), poverty and how to follow his own path while keeping and following his family's traditions. (Grades 5+)

        Johnny from Esther Forbes' Johnny Tremain is a budding silversmith apprentice in Colonial Boston when he suffers a debilitating accident.  He tries to find his way in a series of odd jobs and finds himself by a twist of fate, working for The Observer, a Whig publication.  As Johnny grows in strength and character he must wrestle with his fate and with his personal and political beliefs.  On the way he meets and interacts with historical leaders including Samuel Adams, John Hancock, Doctor Joseph Warren, Paul Revere, James Otis, Jr., Governor Thomas Hutchinson, Thomas Gage, John Pitcairn, Francis Smith and Josiah Quincy II (lawyer and member of the Sons of Liberty).  It is a powerful journey in history and of self-discovery. (Grades 5+)


        Billie Jo from Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse lives with her mother and father who are struggling to keep their Oklahoma farm during the Dust Bowl years.  After two tragic accidents, Billie Jo's remote father becomes unreachable and she must struggle to keep up the farm while learning to rehabilitate herself after a debilitating accident.  This story is told completely in free verse and is an absolute gem.  Billie Jo is a real, incredibly strong young woman who faces life's hardships with as much grace and courage her pre-teen years can give her. (Grades 4+)

          OUTSTANDING GRAPHIC NOVEL HEROES:
          Paul and his sister Marie from Resistance (and the sequel Defiance) by Carla Jablonski and Leland Purvis are growing in World War II France as the Germans have just occupied it. Not only do they have to struggle for food and survival in war-torn France, they are faced with the dilemma of how to help their best friend Henri (a Jew) and whether to help the Germans, try to survive by being indifferent, or whether to join the Resistance forces and help as much as two young teens can.  (Grades 4+)

          Zita from Zita the Spacegirl by Ben Hatke.  When her friend Joseph is reluctant to touch a "button" they found in a field, Zita just cant resist.  The button, however, zaps Joseph into a black hole that whisks him off to another world.  Zita, determined to find and return Joseph leaps to his rescue to find herself chasing his trail through a strange planet with humanoid chickens, neurotic robots and sweet-talking con-men.  Before long the aliens and ancient prophecies don't seem to phase her. Zita scrambles to save her friend the the new world she finds herself in. Here is a link to Ben Hatke's web pages for more characters and glimpses at Zita. (Grades 2+)


              Jack Long from The Silence of Our Friends by Mark Long, Jim Demonakos, and Nate Powell. Jack is a white male reporter living in Texas during the Civil Rights Movement who must make career and life choices while trying to do the 'right' thing.  It is a powerful story about the pull of friendship and commitment to family values.  It is based on a true story of Civil Rights Movement in 1967 Texas. (Grades 5+)


              Amelia from Amelia Rules by Jimmy Gownley.  Amelia McBride has to adjust to life in a new town after her parents' divorce.  She and her new friends face adolescence, bullies, gym class, cheerleaders, clubs, cliques, and many other knocks life seems to hand them. Amelia has spunk and character which in times of stress are eased by her super-coo, famous aunt. Amelia and her friends are real life characters with real life problems and Jimmy Gownley tells their story with grace and humor.  These are super-read books for kids of all ages.

              Here is the trailer that introduces Amelia and her super-hero (almost, kinda') friends:


              Barbara from I Kill  Giants by Joe Kelly. Barbara is a fifth grader who tells anyone who will listen that she kills giants.  Initially we're uncertain if she really kills giants, or lives in a world of her own out of touch with others, or if this is one giant metaphor for her having to face huge scary issues in her life. And, while I won't ruin this powerfully told story, Barbara is an awesome fifth grader who while uncertain about herself and her physical or mental strength, faces social and personal issues valiantly. (Recommended for Grade 5 +)

                Be they cartoon, fictional, historical, or real people, heroes are truly inspirational and should have a regular place in your and your children's lives.  Heroes and superheroes are important - for all of us not only to learn from, but to aspire to become.  I hope you check out and enjoy my choices.

                Here it is one more time (The Daly Show - Episode 7 -with Nathan Fillion - I just can't seem to get enough of this)... because... some superheroes just don't die (especially the geeky kinds)...nor should they:

                Please share your heroes with us in the comment, and have a great week!

                27 comments:

                1. I enjoyed this! And that Tim Daly/Nathan Fillion video cracked me up. My hero is my mom, who showed me grace and compassion by living it and being an awesome example. :)

                  I'm going to have to check out that "Dealing With Dragons" book - I bet Princess Nagger would thoroughly enjoy it! :)


                  You're Gonna Fly when you Drink On It because in Reality There's A Place For Us

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                2. The Tim Daly and et al.. Video had me laughing, those guys were having a lot of fun playing hero! Little kids love it and I think big kids do too.
                  Have a great week!
                  Lucy

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                3. This is a great post! Being a homeschooling mom I am always looking for creative ways to talk with my kids. Loved reading this. SO glad I found you via the Alexa hop today!

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                4. What a fascinating post! The grade 7's at my last school used to study "The Giver" - a great book! You have (almost) made me want to go back to the classroom! But no...I will remain doing private tutoring, but if anyone needs a suggestion, I'll just give them your list. Thanks, Meryl.

                  Leslie
                  abcw team

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                5. Meryl, hilarious Daly Show and thank you for the Sherman Alexie recommendation. Love his humor and sensitivity.
                  HelenMac
                  ABCWednesdayTeam

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                6. Great post. It is so important to remember the every day heroes. Carver, ABC Wednesday Team

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                7. I recognize many of these "heroes" from my daughter's childhood readings. You really outdid yourself on this post today. Great topic and thoughts.

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                8. I find heroic those who care for others. That might include speaking truth to power. Love Jon Stewart.
                  ROG, ABC Wednesday team

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                9. Heroes are everyday people to me. Terrific post and always so much to think about. I think I have to go back and read some of the children's books you recommend. they sound very challenging.

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                10. We have so many false heroes with glamour and glitz but little substance. To me, Christopher Reeves turned out to be a true Superman (not for having extraordinary powers) but for showing how to overcome a devastating event with courage, optimism and a desire to help others.

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                11. Great post! I try to notice the heroes I run across in my everyday life such as the teacher that goes out of her way to let a student know they are important, the mom who dedicates her life to her disabled daughter, and the mailman who takes great pride in his job. I'm a new follower!

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                12. my 4th grade son has to do a hero project tonight!!. the school definition is someone who changed the world for the better. my son said, Why does everyone pick atheletes?

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                13. Wonderful heroes, especially the ones on the Daly show - Hilarious!

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                14. I enjoyed reading Pippi as a kid, but when I grew up I learned about true life hero's who had put the lives of others before their own. I think that's the ultimate.

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                15. This was a great post. I try to think of heroes as someone in my life daily and there are many of them. My Aunt is a hero in many ways. Also someone who can battle stage 4 cancer at the age of 7 is a hero to me.

                  I am coming over from the Wednesday Social Buzz and I am a new follower. http://lovemy2dog.blogspot.com

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                16. I loved Pippi Longstocking as a child!

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                17. Great post. Heros don't always come in uniform. I think we all can be heros in our every day lives. I look up to the single moms, drug councilors, and parent volunteers at my kids school. We all have the opportunity to make a positive impact on the world around us, but unfortunatly, we all don't get recognized for our good deeds as much as other "heros" like athletes and such.

                  Thanks for stopping by www.theresasmixednuts.blogspot.com I am a new GFC follower :)
                  Theresa

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                18. Great post,Meryl! Apart from heros I remember also the anti-hero Jim in "Lucky Jim" by Kingsley Amis.
                  Thanks for all your work.
                  Wil, ABC Wednesday Team. I am at Dina's at the moment and writing on her computer.

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                19. What a great post and resource for books w/heroes I will check out for my youngest son. Thanks for stopping by to link up and your comment.

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                20. Some great book choices there. My grandmother was a hero to me, indomitable.

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                21. We all do need heros! Great post and book suggestions. Dropping by from the Welcome Wednesday blog hop. I'm a new follower. Stop by Saving Cent by Cent when you have a chance. www.savingcentbycent.blogspot.com

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                22. Great post and so true! Heroes come in all forms and people need to keep that in mind. Don't always look for the obvious. It's usually the people that are overlooked that are the true heroes :) New follower on GFC, stopping by from Bassgiraffe's Thursday Blog Hop! Please feel free to stop by my blog and check it out :)

                  www.yeewittlethings.blogspot.com

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                23. Very interesting discussion here. I agree, heroes comes in different individual.

                  House in the Prairie
                  Rose, ABC Wednesday Team

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                24. Great post. Stopping by from the Follow your way hop. Newest GFC follower.

                  Sandy
                  Cherished Handmade Treasures

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                25. Following you via the latest find bloghop on GFC. Looking forward to getting to know you! -Kim http://bbunchmama.blogspot.com

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                26. Great points about heroes--and I love the book suggestions! It's so important for our kids to have heroes that will help them be better people! Thanks for sharing at Teach Me Tuesday!

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