Top Ten Characters Who Aren’t Afraid To Be Different

Obviously, not all characters are the same but there are some traits which occur time & time again while others pop up less often. I wanted to feature characters who either have different traits or just act different, anyway, which is what we love. I tend to find characters like these ones mentioned are ones which stick in my mind better anyway- I respect them & connect with them more. IF you’re an author, can I please encourage you to write characters who aren’t clichés? Ones with diversity, it won’t hurt!
After a misbehaved hiatus (nobody actually asked to see some of the posts I hinted I wouldn’t mind doing so I decided I’d stay away longer til’ I had better posts- I didn’t have to come up with ideas though thanks to the fantastic meme by The Broke And The Bookish)... Oh, I did also want to see if any of you would hold me to it & whether I'd have an increase in views on the Monday with people thinking I was back but actually it was the lowest for more than a week, so forget that!... Wishful thinking ;) I guess I've got a lot to gain from The Blog Notes Project by Amber #3 (you'll get it later on).

Top Ten Characters Who Aren’t Afraid To Be Different 

For once I actually managed to think of 10 (actually, I considered 2 others but they weren’t as awesome, clearly, in the battle of the characters XD)

1. Zeb from Secrets, Lies and Locker 62– This character just sticks in my head and its for a reason. This book actually shows religious diversity and outward appearance diversity. So, Zeb might seem really out about being different at school, with her gothic get-up but she’s a deep character & she’s definitely worth a mention (another! After the 2013 End Of Year Survey- q 11)

2. Alex from Alex As Well– This one is probably the most obvious choice so far (but there is a more obvious one to come, believe it or not) as Alex actually changes genders, kind of. I haven’t really read it yet but I know this book about a transgender teen definitely fits the bill. Alex stops taking medication which has lead to him being more male, even though he could never be entirely physically, as he wants to be a female. So, switch to female. That’s the camp Alex’s foot is going into. It means turning into somebody different, or so it appears, with the appearance of breasts being one physical change. Definitely a prime example. If you do want to see a review of it, my friend kind of did a review of Alex As Well- but Georgia's infographics could be considered better. Check out The Bibliomaniac review-graphic
3. Meg from Leopold Blue– It takes her awhile to accept firstly, that her Mother is different & will fight for the prevention of AIDS but eventually Meg accepts that, she too, is different. She doesn’t have to be loud about it but when friends are trying to lead her astray, she may just have to step out & decide to make her own choice, even if it means standing on her own.

4. Peeta from The Hunger Games– What can I say? Gender stereotypes dictate that people tend to think of women as bakers. But this book changed that. Of course, Katniss wasn’t a typical girl either but I’d rather mention my book boyfriend if you don’t mind... one of the reasons I like him is he’s different, emotionally too (he’s sensitive & I need a guy like that, he’s on my wavelength). You can’t go wrong with a baker who will make you tasty desserts & treats, can you? He even chucks bread at you! Tough, this catch is mine. I claimed him ages ago (and in past posts, just click on him to go to that post).
5. Amber from Amber– Wow, that sounds confusing. Amber’s amnesia eventually wears off & when she becomes aware of her own identity, it’s something awesome. She definitely can’t be afraid to be different when it’s something so brilliant & when she can use it to make such an important difference in the world. She also has a photographic memory, that’s an awesome difference (but more common in books... aye?). Can I just point out Amber #3.
6. Charlie from Perks Of Being A Wallflower– What on EARTH do you mean Amy? He’s a wallflower. He doesn’t stand out. Really? He showed himself to be different when he defended Patrick using his fists. He showed physical strength people didn’t anticipate when he did that. Also, performing in Rocky Horror... that’s different. There’s just so many ways I love Charlie, because he’s different. He’s not a typical boy & you’ve got to love him for it.
7. Eva from The Lost Girl– Well, you might think otherwise... Especially if you were just judging by the synopsis. Of course, most of what she’s known was Amarra but it doesn’t mean she’s got to be a completely effective “clone”, does it?
8. Ryan from Cruel Summer– Compared to other characters in the novel he definitely isn’t afraid (and he shouldn’t be) about being honest about his sexuality. This book has LGBT books & I love that it’s not made a big deal that he’s homosexual- that’s 100% right!
9. Riley from Afterlife Academy– Well, it doesn’t really qualify as a choice but Riley has to stand out now for reasons that aren’t just popularity (when everyone knows who you are, you can’t blend in). Even though she’s dead & shouldn’t have any colour, she actually does have some colour on her... Hence, she stands out. 
10. Tris from Divergent– I wanted to leave what might seem the most obvious to you til’ last (that’s the only reason this list is randomized, not alphabetical). She’s Divergent. I know this should mean she’s the character of Divergent who I think this applies to most, there’s numerous characters. Caleb wasn’t afraid, he realized it was faction before blood. Christina knew being a Candor with what some considered a “big mouth” or “smart mouth” could be a bad thing but I was always glad when she said something I don’t think many would dare mention.

Which characters stand out to you for not being too typical? Did you do a list? What do all your characters have in common?