Monday, September 15, 2014

Finding Heroes Among Us...

Helllooooooo Class! Today is a blast thus far. We are considering what it means to be a hero, and how we view heroism. What kinds of qualities contribute towards us as individuals or as a society admiring someone?

How do we connect with characters within stories and movies?

Why do we often admire protagonists (our word of the day!) from our favorite books, films, or our own lives and aspire to be like them?

What do we value in others?

Today, we are exploring all of these questions as you each create lists of heroes and chart values you think they possess. Then, you will each a bit about some of my heroes, via this PowerPoint, in order to get you thinking. (If you were absent, please click on the link in the line above to view our PowerPoint show!)

Now, after our writing, discussion, and hearing about my heroes, who is someone you admire? Think of one protagonist you admire from a book, film, or your own life and share who that character is, and why you admire them. 

What is it about this protagonist that make you admire her or him? 

98 comments:

  1. One of my favorite protagonists is Atticus Finch from the novel TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD by Harper Lee. Atticus displays incredible courage in going against people all around him to fight for what he believes is right and just.

    --Mr. Reynolds

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  2. My protagonists is my Grandfather because he served in World War Two and went in many bombed and destroyed country's.

    --Thomas Hart

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  3. because he defeated bane and bane was going to bomb gotham

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  4. one of my favorite protagonists is Torak from WOLF BROTHER by Michelle Paver.
    Torak risks losing his home so he can help his friend.
    --Emily Rypinski

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  5. my favorite protagonist is spider man because he saves people and defeats evil

    -- Robert Arellano

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  6. My favorite protagonist is Hermione Granger because she stood up to people and punched Draco Malfoy which is pretty brave because he would tell his father about that, and his father's a scary dude. (and I think that's cooler than defeating Voldemort, which she also helped with.)
    ---Grace Acton

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  7. one of many of my protagonists is Naruto Uzumaki because he acts strange, but still helps those in need even though he has a dangerous evil demon in him called the nine-tailed fox
    Tommy Wacek

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  8. My mom is my hero because she goes put of her way to help me.
    Julia Proteau

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  9. My favorite protagonist is Tris from Divergent because she is undaunted and saved a lot of lives.

    Meili Stanten

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  10. I think Erling in King of Devil's Island is a hero because even after Olav witnesses Bråthen molesting Ivar, and his whole group gets punished for reporting it, even when him and Olav assault Bråthen when he is fired and get sent into solitary, even when Olav attacks Bråthen again and start an uprising, Erling still saves Bråthen when he is about to die in a burning barn. I believe this makes Erling a hero because even though Bråthen deserved every pain possible for molesting Ivar, he decides not to stoop down to his level and does the gallant thing by saving his life.

    Nick Joe

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  11. One of my favorite protagonist is Beatrice Prior, from Divergent. She is my favorite protagonist because at times being brave is her only option.

    --Carly James

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  12. My favorite protagonist is Jackie Robinson the famous baseball player. He proved that it doesn't matter what color your skin is to be good at baseball.
    Jacob Elliott

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  13. Hello my favorite protagonist is the doctor from doctor who. I say this because he saves a lot of people and he is bold, brave, kind and awesome.

    - Alondra Pacheco

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  14. My protagonist that I would consider a hero is Bigwig from Watership Down by Richard Adams. Bigwig saved 7 rabbits while putting himself at risk from the captain of the army. Bigwig showed courage and bravery by standing up for what he believed in.

    -- Max T

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  15. One of my favorite protagonists is Sashie from the Night Journey by Kathryn Lasky, because she thought of a plan to save her family from the Nazis. Nobody listened to her at first, but she stood up and shared her idea.
    - Rachel Shrives

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  16. One of my favorite protagonists is Tris from the Divergent trilogy by Veronica Ross, because she has to go through so much to finally find out who she is and what it means to be Divergent, and even though she thinks about quitting, she doesn't.
    ~Vimbayi ;)

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  17. My favorite Protagonist is August from Wonder. He is my favorite because he has so many hardships in his life but he stays strong.
    -Bridget Kennedy

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  18. My favorite protagonist is August from wonder. he is my favorite because he has so many hardships in his life but he stays strong.
    -Bridget Kennedy

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  19. One of my favorite protagonists is Harry Potter from the Harry Potter series because he is very courageous and is brave enough to risk his life for many other people's and to not take many insults seriously.
    - Emmalyn Mirarchi

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  20. My favorite protagonist is August from Wonder. He is my favorite because he has so many hardships in his life but he stays strong
    -Bridget Kennedy

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  21. My favorite protagonist is August from wonder. He is my favorite because he has so many hardships in his life but he stays strong
    -Bridget Kennedy

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  22. My favorite protagonist is my neighbor Jonathan Roberge. He was fighting in Iraq when a bomb when off in the tank and he chose to save his fellow soldiers, rather than himself. I admire him for that.
    -Philippa Harvey

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  23. One of my favorite protagonists is Mr. Keating from the movie "Dead Poets Society" (he is played by Robin Williams).
    -Magnus Miller

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  24. One of my favorite protagonists is Mr. Keating from the movie "Dead Poets Society".

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  25. My favorite protagonist is Sodapop from the Outsiders, because it must be really hard to stay quiet when Darry and Ponyboy fight all the time, and the fact that he said it out loud was really awe inspiring for me, and it also helped them see what their fighting was doing to their brother and their family.
    -Shreya Kumar E Block English

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  26. my favorite protagonist is tony stark because he is a billionaire and a philanthropist who saves others

    - Eli Fishbein

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  27. One of my favorie protagonists is Honor from "The other Side of the Island" because she fights against the totalitarian government.
    Tessa McClain

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  28. my protagonist happens to be captain america bc he is a "super soldier" and he saves people and thinks of others before himself.

    -GIANNA PERINI

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  29. My two favorite protagonists is Malala Yousafzai and my great grandmother. I have heard from so many of my relatives when they ask my parents if they have girls or boys and my parents reply as 2 girls, they are like " Oh that's too bad." So both of my favorite protagonists are feminists. Malala is amazing because even though she got shot for voicing her opinions she kept going instead of giving up. My great grandmother lived in a time in India when girls weren't allowed in library's. So she built a library for girls so that they could get educated because most girls dropped out of school at 11 years of age to get married.

    ~ Meenu Ramakrishnan

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  30. One of my favorite protagonists is my cousin, and one of my closest friends, Sarah. She is always someone I want to be like because she graduated at the top of her class, was prom queen, got into a good college, and was admired by her peers even with a troubled household. But most importantly, she saved my brother when he almost drowned as a toddler. I want to be smart, beautiful, graceful, strong, admired, loved, and especially brave like her.

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  31. My favorite protagonist is Andy Dufresne from the movie Shawshank Redemption because he was really strong when he was falsely accused of murdering someone, even though he was a very smart bank teller. He was put in jail for about 50 years and he tried and tried over and over again to get out but finally in the end he realized that the only way to get out was to craw through 2 miles of sewage pipes during a huge rain storm. That is why I think that Andy Dufresne is a great example of a protagonist because he never gave up.
    ~~~ Caroline Mara C PERIOD

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  32. My favorite protagonist is Noelle from Keep Holding On by Susane Colasanti.Noelle had been seriously bullied for years and years because she is very poor, and finally once it goes way too far she stands up to her mother, the bullies and herself.
    -Colleen Guerriero

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  33. My favorite protagonist is Mr. Reynolds he defeats words and teaches us...and he writes books.

    -- David Sampson

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  34. One of my favorite protagonists is my cousin, and one of my closest friends, Sarah. She graduated top of her class, was prom queen, got into a good college, was admired by her peers, and was captain of her volleyball team even though she came from a troubled household. But most importantly, she saved my brother when he almost drowned as a toddler. I want to be smart, beautiful, graceful, athletic, friendly, a natural leader, loved, admired, strong, and especially brave just like her.

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  35. My favorite protagonist is Percy Jackson because he slays monsters and helps his friends.

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  36. My favorite protagonist is Percy Jackson because he slays monsters and helps his friends.

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  37. One of my favorite protagonists is James Bond because he saves the world from villains.
    --Isaac Noble

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  38. superman, because he always risks his life for others and cares about them.
    -- Olivia Gomez

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  39. One of my favorite protagonists is Reynie from The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart, Reynie is extremely brave, courages and is good at solving enigmas.
    -Fiona Nash

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  40. my favorite protagonist is Tony from the movie Argo because he is smart and very brave, and is willing to risk his life to help free hostages, and ends up saving himself as well!
    -anna shlimak

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  41. One of my favorite protagonists in Missy Franklin. She is an amazing olympic swimmer at only 18 years old. Also, I've been swimming my wholw life and have been on the time for 5 years, so it's my favorite sport.

    -Shea Oldham :)

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  42. My favorite protagonist is the Jedi Obi-wan Kenobi, because he is smart, brave, always tries to be polite and nice, and always tries to do the right thing.

    --Colin McHugh

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  43. I would have to say August Pullman from the book "Wonder", by R.J. Palacio, he was incredibly brave to go to school in his condition.
    ~~Collin Burns

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  44. One of my favorite life protagonists is Malala Yousafzai. She was beaten down by millions of evil voices and actions, not only reviving herself and her rights, but whole nations gratitudes and admirations of her acts of bravery.---Raiya Suliman

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  45. My hero is Michael Oher from the book and movie, The Blind Side. He is my hero because he had the courage to walk into a school full of white rich kids, when he was neither. Also, he got his grades from f's to a's which takes a lot of will power.
    --Riley Neville:P

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  46. one of my favorite protagonists is super man because he saves the human race.

    --Sean McNamara

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  47. My hero is Nelson Mandela because be he showed that there is still corruption in this world. he also showed how we can address it and he really showed that everyone can make a difference.

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  48. My favorite protagonist is Dumbledore from Harry Potter. This is because he puts others before himself.

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  49. One of my protagonists is Jackie Robimson because he was the first black baseball player to play in the professional leagues and he was also a great ball player.
    --Clayton Hanlon

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  50. One of my favorite protagonists is Martin Luther King Jr. because he was brave and he fought for rights for everyone.

    --Natalie L'Ecuyer

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  51. My favorite protagonist Tris from Divergent because she is undaunted and saves a lot of lives.

    Meili Stanten

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  52. One of my favorite protagonists is Tally from Uglies by Scott Westerfield because she stays loyal to her friends even though Dr. Cable tries to get her to betray them.

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  53. Liza Toll posted the comment about Tally from Uglies!

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  54. My favorite protagonist is Rosa Parks because she stuck up for what she believed in, she was strong. she showed how powerful women are. Just from a single word "NO".

    -- Anna Laursen

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  55. My favorite protagonist is Percy Jackson because he slays monsters and helps his friends. - Thomas g.

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  56. my favorite protagonist is Katniss from the hunger games because she was the only one who had the courage to stand up to the capital when no one else did

    --will squire

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  57. One of my favorite protagonists is a character from oblivion name Jack, because he killed himself to save his wife.

    -----Lucy Bodtman

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  58. chris pual becuase he is a good insperation

    -will armstrong

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  59. My protagonist is Franck Ribery because at age 2 he and his family were driving somewhere and were involved in a car accident where they were crossing railroad tracks and their car was hit by a train. His face was badly scarred leaving him with over 100 stitches. Plus he lived in a very poor community and was a construction worker with his dad, and yet he found time to become a great soccer player. Franck Ribery currently plays on a German club called Bayern Munich and was a former France national team player. He is my protagonist because I admire his determination as he was not discouraged by his looks or his origins, he worked extremely hard even though throughout his life people doubted him for becoming the amazing player he is today.
    --Samantha Schoenberg

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  60. My favorite protagonist is the Jedi Obi-wan Kenobi, because he is smart, brave, and always tries to be polite and do the right thing.

    --Colin McHugh

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  61. my mom is a protagonist because she takes care of 3 kids and has a full time job

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  62. My favorite protagonist is a boy named Tom in the book Firegirl. He is a hero because he was the only person in the seventh grade to befriend the new girl, Jessica. Jessica was badly burned and and strange skin and facial features. He is a good example of a hero because he stepped up and make friends with this girl.

    -- Lwiza AitDowd

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  63. my mom is a protagonist because she takes care of 3 kids and a full time job

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  64. My favorite protagonist is the Jedi Obi-wan Kenobi, because he is smart, brave, and always tries to be polite and do the right thing.

    --Colin McHugh

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  65. my favorite protagonist is Beatrice or Tris prior from DIVERGENT. i like her because she saved so many lives and didn't think about only herself. she thought of everyone else first.

    - Cierra Wilkins

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  66. My mom is a protagonist because she takes care of three kids and has a full time job

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  67. My friends because they go through many hard things in their life but they still stay cheerful and are not afraid to be themselves!
    --Brianna

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  68. The Dragon Warrior is one of my favorite protagonists because he saves the Valley Of Peace from a evil kung fu master named Ty Lung.

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  69. my protagonist would be captian america because he fights for the freedom of america

    --John Parlee

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  70. My mom is a protagonist because she takes care of 3 kids and works a full time job.

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  71. One of my favorite protagonists would probably be superman because he fights evil and saves the world

    Henry hays

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  72. My favorite protagonist is Iktuo from a show called Shugo Chara. He defies his father and his future to help and save his friends and stick up for what he believes in.
    -Thea Eiland

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  73. My favorite protagonist is Leo Valdez from "The Heros of Olympus" series, by Rick Riordan. This is because he can always make problems and huge fights funny and cheer people up.

    Vivien Jamba

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  74. Nelson Mandela is one of my favorite protagonists, because he was so wise, and after serving years in prison, came back and became the first black president of South Africa
    -Tom Khuu

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  75. One protagonist that I like is Felix Baumgartner because he had the courage to jump from space.

    - Pasha Sahin

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  76. My protaganist isnt from a book or a movie but he is Vincent Vangough. I admire him so much because i was unique, he had and imagination like none other. At his time people wouldnt like hime or his paintings but he kept on going. Plus he is such an amazing artist.
    -- Colleen Makosky

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  77. My favorite protagonist is August from wonder. He is my favorite because he has so many hardships in his life but he stays strong
    -Bridget Kennedy

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  78. One hero or protagonist I like is Greg Mortenson, he raised money to help build many schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan. -- Fiona Morrison

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  79. My favorite protagonist is Kimani Maruge, he is a war veteran who gets a letter from his government commending him for his work in the war, but he can’t read. When he was growing up in Africa kids did not go to school. So he gets enrolled in the school in his village in hopes of learning to read, but some of the parents protest against him being there but the teacher sticks up for him and he learns to read and can finally read his letter.

    -- Paul Witmer

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  80. One of my favorite protagonist is my father because he started his life nearly in poverty and worked his way up to having a quite well-off family and owning a growing company that he started himself in my attic. Someone like my father is extreamly inspirational to me.

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  81. My favorite protagonist is Batman because he saves citizens and fights the bad guys who try to take over gotham city like the Joker.


    -----Christopher Clark

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  82. batman the dark knight, batman the dark knight rises, batman the dark knight returns

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    Replies
    1. My favorite protagonist is Martin Luther King Jr. because he was a great leader and was very brave.

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    2. Batman is the bomb!!!

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  83. Batman is the BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  84. My favorite protagonist is my Uncle Joe who set traps and built bridges behind enemy lines in the korean and Vietnam wars, and when he got home he became a Fireman chief.
    --Stefan Scornavacca

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  85. my protagonist is my grandfather because he severed in world war 2 and was strong and brave
    - olivia Noyes

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  86. my favorite is probally mike eruzione from miracle because he goes through facing the hardest team (soviet union) and getting his team to work together

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  87. the mike eruzione one is mine
    -holden lee

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  88. My protagonist would be Tom Brady because he was doubted and deemed "not good enough." He ignored the hate and became arguably the greatest football player in history.

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  89. My protagonist would be Tom Brady because he was doubted and deemed "not good enough." He ignored the hate and became arguably the greatest football player in history.

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  90. my protagonist is martin luther king jr. because he helped stopped racisim against blacks by protesting and his words and not violence____ HENRY DINAPOLI

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  91. Mine is Nelson Mandela because he stood up against black segregation and became the first back president of South Africa
    -Christopher Pickreign

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  92. My favorite protagonist is Hazel Grace Lancaster from the book/movie THE FAULT IN THE STARS, I chose her because since she has cancer she must have been terrified but not once in the move or book did she mention her fear of cancer. This must have took a lot if bravery and courage and strength.

    ------
    Kellie Sundeen

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  93. My protagonist is my grandfather because he saved people's lives because he was a surgeon.

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  94. Maniac Magee is my favorite protagonist from the book "Maniac Magee". I think it takes courage to runaway from home for two years, and very lonley at the same time because he probly had nobody to hang out with.

    David Ramirez

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  95. My favorite protagonist is August from wonder because he went through a lot of hard times in his life but he still stays strong.
    -Sara Picariello

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