Throughout the novel, Nathan struggles to find a hero before realizing that he is the hero that he, Pond, and Uncle Jet need. How does Nathan learn to look within himself and become a hero? Consider the following points before you respond to the question.

• At the start of the novel, how does Nathan show that he lacks the confidence to confront his problems and looks to other people to be heroes instead?
• When Darkness tests Nathan’s heart, what heroic qualities does the Holy Being find within him?
• What events and details from the middle of the novel show that Nathan is gaining confidence, demonstrating the heroic qualities Darkness saw in him, and overcoming obstacles?
• By the end of the novel, how do Nathan’s actions and accomplishments prove he is a hero?

Teaching Suggestion: This prompt asks students to trace Nathan’s character development over the course of the novel. If your students are ready for different types of plot structure, you might introduce them to the Hero’s Journey and ask them to include the relevant stages in their discussion of the protagonist’s growth. This article and this 4.5-minute TED-Ed video on the Hero’s Journey may prove beneficial to students in their analysis of the novel’s plot.