Top Ten Tuesday - Most Inspirational Characters

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted at The Broke and the Bookish.

This week's topic is Top Ten Most Inspirational Characters:

10. Joe from The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon - He made a lot of sacrifices and endured a lot of hardship, all for the sake of his family and those he cared about.
9. Katniss from The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - She impressed me with her initial self-sacrifice to save her sister, even though it meant almost certain death for herself.
8. Mary from The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett - She was instrumental in helping to heal the garden and, by extension, the Craven family.
7. Jane from Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte - Jane is inspiring because she's strong, competent, and independent... but not so stubborn that she can't forgive and open her heart to love.
6. Chris from What Dreams May Come by Richard Matheson - He braved hell (literally) for his wife.  If that's not inspirational, I don't know what is.
5. Sara from A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett - Wise beyond her years, this little girl endured hardships and unfairness with a grace and maturity that was very endearing.
4. Marnie from The Raging Quiet by Sherryl Jordan - It's sometimes difficult to stand up for what you know is right, especially when it puts your own well-being at risk.  Marnie went against the grain and suffered for it... but ultimately triumphed because she stayed true to her heart.
3. Emily from Emily of New Moon by L. M. Montgomery - Emily always wanted to be a writer, and she never gave up on that dream.
2. Birdy from Catherine, Called Birdy by Karen Cushman - Standing up against your parents is something most teenagers do.  But standing up against your father in the year 1290 when he wants to marry you off to a middle-aged man (when you're only fourteen!) is pretty impressive.
1. the very strange enchanted boy from "Nature Boy" (song) by eden ahbez - "The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return."  Need I say more?