Growing up, I was one of those kids that always had my nose in a book. I was more interested with the fantasy land with dragons and wizards than with the every day things that I was living with. For everything I read about in those books, some of those characters taught me life lessons that not only apply to the magical and interesting lives they were living, but I was able to apply them to my less intense problems.
1. Hermione Granger - Harry Potter Series
Hermione Granger from the Harry Potter Series, one of the most widely sold book series of all times, is the "brightest witch of her age." In the first book of the series, Hermione claims to Harry that all she had was "Books! And cleverness! There are more important things- friendship and bravery." Despite this claim throughout the series, she always helped and defended her friends, brave when challenged and throughout the series was able to be both helpful and brave due to her knowledge that came along with reading. She is a great role model for young kids to show that you can have it all, a love for books and amazing adventures.
2. Annabeth Chase - The Percy Jackson Series
Very similar to Hermione, AnnaBeth is known for her intelligence. As the daughter of Athena, the goddess of wisdom, Annabeth is the one in the series to always go to with a question. However, not only is she smart, she trained since the age of seven to become a better fighter. She had no problem going against some of the worst mythological creatures. With a strong wit, an independence that she needs no guy to protect her, great fighting skills, fierce loyalty to her friends, and a vast intelligence, AnnaBeth is not someone you want to mess with.
3. Queenie / Verity - "Code Name Verity"
This book focuses on the friendship between two young girls, one a pilot and the other a spy for the French resistance during World War II. Both strong and independent females in a world dominated by men, they show the value of friendship, even during the worst of times. They are together up until Queenie, also known by her code name Verity, is captured by Nazi's and is tortured. She has to use all the strength she has to make it through, and find her way back to her best friend, Maddie or KittyHawk.
4. Holden Caulfield - "Catcher in the Rye"
5. Bilbo Baggins- "The Hobbit"
In the beginning of the book, Bilbo is quiet and lives in a routine. He never even left his town. However, when Gandalf comes to him asking for him to join him and dwarves on an adventure for gold, Bilbo accepts the offer and becomes an important part of the team, despite his lack of experience and his small stature. He shows us that we can be a part of anything we want to, as long as we work hard for it.
6. Harry Potter - The Harry Potter Series
Harry Potter was able to beat the immeasurable odds against him, at the age of one the darkest wizard of all time tried to defeat him. Growing up an orphan, Harry had very few people to rely on. However, he realized who the right sorts of people were, and stuck by their side. He put his life in danger constantly to protect what he believes in, and did his best to stay away from the dark, however he recognizes that he has both, as his godfather Sirius Black says, "We've all got both light and dark in us. What matters is the part we choose to act on." Harry chose good until the very end.
7. Quentin- "Paper Towns"
Quentin is quiet, friends with only a couple people, and his idea of a good time is hanging out in the band room during his free time. One night changes it all though, when his neighbor Margo takes him on one last adventure at night before graduation. When Margo disappears, Quentin believes its up to him to follow the clues she left, and use his new sense of adventure and new outgoing personality to find her, along with friends, both new and old. He shows us that it's never too late to have an adventure, and to enjoy high school while it lasts, however long that may be.
8. Percy Jackson- The Percy Jackson Series
Percy overcame all obstacles, from dyslexia to getting his mom back after she was kidnapped by the God of Death and many more. He is fiercely loyal, so much that it is fatal flaw, and would do anything to save his friends. He is witty, funny, clever, but also serious when he needs to be when defeating monsters.
9. Scout Finch - "To Kill a Mockingbird"
Scout is a contradiction in her town. While some kids go uneducated, she learns to read before school starts. While most little girls wear dresses and ribbons, Scout is described as more a t-shirt kind of girl. In a time when children were taught to be quiet, Scout was encouraged to ask questions. It was this trait that showed her racism, and how cruel the world can be. Scout has to learn to trust that there is some good in the world, and that needs to be held on to.
10. Tessa Grey- Clock Work Angel Series
Tessa goes from an ordinary girl leaving in 19th century London to someone that kills demons to protect the rest of the world. She is caring, as she takes care of Jem, a friend who is sick, but becomes stubborn with him when he no longer wants to take care of himself. She is very witty, as she does not let Will, another friend, get the upper hand when talking to him. She is brave, strong, and very intelligent, all of which makes her a real threat to whatever she is fighting.
