If you are researching heroes, one of the best places to look is in elementary and middle school literature. Several good examples of heroes in children’s literature are Harry Potter, Pippi Longstocking and Charlie from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Heroes don’t even have to be human. For example, Wilbur and Charlotte in Charlotte’s Web are both animals who do brave things to help others. You could make a poster displaying one of these character’s brave deeds or create a diorama of a key scene in the book when a character acted most like a hero.
Another place to look for heroes is in film. Three of the most famous heroes in movies are Luke Skywalker, Hans Solo and Princess Leia from "Star Wars." But you can find heroes and heroines in dramatic movies, as well. Celie in "The Color Purple" overcomes great hardships through bravery and perseverance. Even cartoons have heroes. Megamind starts out as a super villain, but becomes a hero by the end of the film. For a project on heroes in films, you might create a storyboard of the film, showing important parts of the movie. You could also create a character list and explain how each of the characters affects the hero or heroine’s actions.
Folk heroes are larger-than-life characters who are important to certain cultures in particular geographic locations. They may be based on truth, but they are usually exaggerated. Examples of well-known folk heroes include Paul Bunyan, Pecos Bill, John Henry and Johnny Appleseed. Folk heroes reveal a lot about the culture that invented them. For example, Paul Bunyan is known for being a giant logger who cut down thousands of trees. It is no surprise that the story of Paul Bunyan was created by settlers of the American west who needed to cut down many trees to build their new homes and cities. A project about folk heroes might include doing a comparison of the folk hero and the culture that created him.
Last, don’t forget real-life heroes. They are everywhere! Consider the people who make sacrifices for you every day, such as your mother, father or teachers. Firefighters, soldiers and police officers risk their lives to protect the public. You might also know someone who has donated an organ to help a person in need. Regular people who do courageous things are all around you. Try to find someone who has done something brave and interview him or her. Ask how the person felt at the time.