The Hero's Guidebook: Creating Your Own Hero's Journey (Digital Textbook + Reading Guides + Writing Handouts)
The Hero's Guidebook by Zachary Hamby teaches Joseph Campbell's concept of the Hero's Journey to readers grades 4-8 using example stories like the Harry Potter books, Disney animated films, and video games like Super Mario Bros. Fully illustrated with 40 cartoon illustrations, the text even applies the stages of the Hero's Journey to real-life problems and situations.
This 106-page download includes all of the following:
- The full text of The Hero's Guidebook broken down into four separate sections
- Four reading guides (+ keys), which walk students through the details of the book
- Four writing assignments, which walk students through the process of writing their own hero story
More About the Book
In his famous book The Hero with a Thousand Faces, researcher Joseph Campbell first explained the storytelling pattern of the Hero’s Journey, a structure found in the hero stories of many cultures. Keeping in mind how deeply a culture and its hero stories are connected, it’s surprising that hero stories from distant times and places have so many similarities. That is, until we realize that hero stories reflect our deepest hopes and fears, and the experience of being human is universal. For the first time there is a book that makes the structure of the Hero’s Journey easy-to-understand and entertaining for young readers and writers—fledgling authors with their own stories to tell.
Humorously illustrated with over 40 cartoons by the author, this book takes readers through the stages of the Hero's Journey using examples from books, films, and even video games. Example stories include The Wizard of Oz, Alice in Wonderland, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Hobbit, Star Wars, Harry Potter, The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, The Lion King, Batman, Spider-Man, Super Mario Bros—not to mention popular stories from myth and legend. Important archetypes like the Hero, the Mentor, the Shadow, the Ally, the Trickster, and the Threshold Guardian appear as well. Each stage of the Hero’s Journey also features writing tips for aspiring writers and a character education “Your Journey” section, which applies hero-story lessons to real life. This textbook would make an excellent tool when studying growth mindset since it analyzes how heroes are flawed individuals, who must overcome obstacles in order to become stronger and wiser.
Recommended ages: 8-14
Number of pages: 106
From the cover: Have you ever wondered why people love hero stories so much? This book will tell you the secret reason we find heroes so exciting and inspirational. By using hero stories you already know and love, this guidebook will show you the path that all heroes walk. It will also equip you to write your own hero stories and join the next generation of storytellers! Plus it will give you tips along the way for becoming a hero in real-life as well. Your journey awaits!
Design-a-Quest: Use artwork to design your own Hero's Journey
