Matthew Walsh

Book Cover (http://www.nancywerlin.com/rules.htm)

What is a hero?:
To me, a hero is someone who has firm beliefs and sticks to them. Someone who isn't afraid to do what is right. A hero is someone that people can look up to and will inspire others to also do what is right.

Is it important to have a hero?:
It's very important to have a hero. Without a hero, you have no role-model. No one you want to be like. Also, heroes help you shape ideas of right and wrong. Now, you don't have to follow what they believe exactly. A hero should present their ideas to you to help you gain knowledge to make your own decisions. Heroes give you something to believe and fight for.

In the novel, The Rules of Survival, by Nancy Werlin, Matt is the hero. Throughout this story, Matt is trying to protect not only himself, but his little sisters, Callie and Emmy. Their mother, Nikki, is insane. On one occasion, she drove into on-coming traffic. "And all at once we were on the wrong side of the road," (Werlin 58). Their mother tells Matt to say he loves her but he doesn't want to. Out of fear, not only for his own life, but for his sisters too, he gives in, doing what's best for them. After this incident, Matt knows that he must get his sisters somewhere safe. "I need to do something, I thought. I need to get us out of this," (Werlin 59). Later, Matt joins together his dad, Aunt Bobbie, and his mother's ex-boyfriend Murdoch, so they can try to get them away from Nikki. "'You might try to get custody of all three of us?' I asked. I stressed the words all three," (Werlin 166). Matt always has what's best for him and his sisters in mind. Not only them. When custody is finally taken away from Nikki, Matt chooses to stay with Aunt Bobbie to protect her from her sister living above her.

Matt is truly a hero. Many people think of a hero as someone big and strong, with super powers and a cape. However, some heroes come from unlikely places and are ordinary people, just like you and me. Matt grew up, always trying to protect his sisters from their moody mother. He worked with relatives against his mother to get them somewhere safe. Matt knew this act in itself put him in danger of his mother, yet still worked to make sure his sisters were safe. A hero is someone who protects others, even if it means putting themselves in danger.

Interview with Matt:
Q: Who's your hero and why?
Matt: That would be Nikki's ex-boyfriend, Murdoch. He's not afraid to do what's right most of the time and I look up to him for that.
Q: Specifically, what qualities make him a hero?
Matt: Well, he's not afraid to do something once he puts his mind to it. Like, when Nikki sent Rob after him. Murdoch didn't back down from trying to help us.
Q: Do you want to be like Murdoch?
Matt: Yeah, I do. I want to be able to not be afraid and face my fears. But I also want to be able to act when I need to.
Q: Why do you want to be like him?
Matt: I don't want to be afraid of Nikki anymore, so I can do better to protect Callie and Emmy from her if she ever comes around again.
Q: Do you think it's important for everyone to have a hero?
Matt: Of course. Heroes inspire you. If I hadn't met Murdoch then we never would have been able to get away from Nikki. He's the one who inspired everything I did to help us.
Q: Should everyone try to be just like their hero?
Matt: I think heroes should inspire your actions. You shouldn't try to be exactly like them. It's okay to want to be like them, but keep your own individuality.
Q: What qualities do you think make someone a hero?
Matt: Well a hero needs to not be afraid. Also, they need to want to protect and help others.
Q: Do you exhibit any of these qualities?
Matt: I really do try to. I taught Callie and Emmy how to be careful when Nikki was in one of her moods and protected them from her when they slipped up. But I'm definitely afraid. Even to this day Nikki scares me.
Q: Do you think you are a hero to anyone?
Matt: It's possible that I am to Callie and Emmy. I did take charge for years and help them through every chance I could.