My Fictional Hero

 

To be honest, I can't recall ever having a fictional hero that I looked up to. Maybe I did when I was young, but I don't remember now. However, now, as I'm thinking back to the books I read growing up, I would have to say that one character that I probably really looked up to as a child was Marty Preston, the protagonist from Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor. 

Shiloh is a Newbery Medal-winning children's novel about Marty and an abused dog, Shiloh. Shiloh is owned by Marty's neighbor, Judd Travers, who abuses the dog. When Marty finds this out, he steals the dog and hides him away, concealing his secret through lies. However, his theft is soon discovered, and Marty must return Shiloh to Judd. Not long after that, Marty catches Judd hunting deer outside of hunting season, and blackmails Judd into selling Shiloh to him. Because Marty doesn't have enough money to pay for the dog, he works for Judd. In the end, Judd doesn't keep his promise of giving Shiloh to Marty, so Marty is faced with the decision of stealing Shiloh or allowing Judd to abuse him.

As a little girl, I grew up watching shows like Animal Precinct on Animal Planet, quivering at the sight of the abused animals. I couldn't understand how anybody could be so cruel to sweet, innocent animals, who couldn't do anything to protect themselves from the abused they were receiving. Thus, my passion for animals was sparked. When I read Shiloh, I was comforted by the fact that there still are people in the world who don't just watch abuse happen; they do something about it. I admired Marty for standing up for himself and taking action, especially because he was just a young boy. He knew that dogs, or any animals for that matter, weren't supposed to be treated like that. Marty showed me that no matter what your age, you can make someone's life better. (Even if that someone is a dog.) I also learned from Marty the importance of never giving up, of persevering. If you really want something, you'll do anything to get it, regardless of the pain, frustration, etc.