Six More Favorite Literary Characters

When I originally started making a list of my favorite characters in literature, I just wrote any that I could think of, with the intention of narrowing it down.  Well after I had my list, I couldn't bring myself to take any of them off the list.  So instead I categorized.  Last week I presented you with six of my Favorite Literary Characters from My Childhood.

This week I have some of my favorite literary characters from children's and middle grade books that I read in my adulthood.  As a mother, I'm hoping that I can get my daughter (now 2.5, but I can plan her reading life for her--right?) into many of these characters as she grows up.  How early is too early to start reading HP to her?  

Moose from the Al Capone at Alcatraz series by Gennifer Choldonko.
Moose is in no way perfect.  All he wants to do is play ball, but he has to watch his sister Natalie most of the time.  Although Natalie does annoy Moose at times, he's kind to her and sticks up for her when others try to take advantage of her mental state.  He's a good kid, but has a lot to learn.
Review: Al Capone Shines My Shoes

Meggie from Inkheart by Cornelia Funke.
Meggie loves books.  She loves stories.  Enough said.  Oh yes, her name is Meggie.

Heidi from So B. It by Sarah Weeks
She is courageous and sets out on a trek to find out more information about her mother.  She discovers a lot about herself and what family means.

Rose from Rain/Reign by Ann M. Martin
Rose's story is sad and beautiful.  I desperately wanted to befriend her and take her under my wing.  I read this one to my students this year and they also fell in love with her.
Review: Rain/Reign

Mo LeBeau from Three Times Lucky and Ghosts of Tupelo Landing by Sheila Turnage
Dramatic and over the top and always in the know, Mo is hilarious.  She's in no way perfect and makes many mistakes, but for the most part she owns up to her mistakes.  She also loves her family and friends with a fierce loyalty.
Review: Three Times Lucky
Review: Ghosts of Tupelo Landing

  

Harry, Hermione, and Dumbledore from The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling
I realize that this should count as three separate characters, but I'm putting them all together anyway. Harry is awkward and finds his place at Hogwarts--and it has nothing to do with being The Boy Who Lived.  He finds a place with the family he creates.
Hermione's character always seemed like a mother figure to Harry, but not the doting kind.  She says what needs to be said and she is loyal to him throughout it all, no matter what.  It is her friendship that makes the trio of Ron, Hermione and Harry work.
Dumbledore.  What can I say about him?  Sometimes infuriating in his enigmatic ways, but as a reader you end up looking up to him, depending on him just as Harry does.  He shows up at just the right time to save everyone and keep them all safe and works behind the scenes to make sure everything turns out okay.

What middle grade and children's characters reached out to you as an adult?

Check back again next week for the last of my Favorite Literary Characters!

If you enjoyed this post, consider following me on Facebook, Twitter, or Google Plus, and please "like" this below!