What+Makes+a+Hero


 * What, indeed, does make a hero?** Last week, when I was perusing the 900s (history) in our library collection, I struck gold.

Several books that had been hidden on overcrowded shelves now jumped out at me. They contained the stories of ordinary people, who through their extraordinary lives and actions, made a difference in the lives of others. I chose to take home two books to read: __We Beat The Streets__, and __The Pact__. The books chronicled the lives of three inner-city youth in Newark, New Jersey, whose close and supportive friendship helped them to overcome almost insurmountable obstacles to become doctors. These young men have now returned to Newark to practice medicine, and to be role models and heroes in their community.

The meaning of hero today seems to have lost its true significance for some young people who look to the rich and famous, the celebrities, athletes, and entertainers, as role models. In the words of James Baldwin, “Heroes can be found less in larger things than in smaller ones, less in public than in private.” And so, our library will be highlighting everyday heroes in our book collection, and in the library showcase in the hallway where the subject will be “In Search of Heroes.”

Barron, T. A. __The hero's trail : a guide for a heroic life __Castro, Daniel R. __Critical choices that change lives --how heroes turn tragedy into triumph __Free Press. __My hero : extraordinary people on the heroes who inspire them __Hatch, Robert. __The hero project : 2 teens, 1 notebook, 13 extraordinary interviews __Health Communication __Chicken Soup for the soul honors America’s heroes __Humphrey, Mary. __Living the hero's quest : character building through action research __Humphrey, Sandra McLeod. __Dare to dream! 25 extraordinary lives____ __Skimin, Robert. __Footprints of heroes : from the American Revolution to the war in Iraq __Smith, Jessie Carney. __Black heroes__
 * Highlights** from our summer book order include titles that explore the theme of heroes. Please stop by the library to reserve your copy now!

--Nancy Rebore