 In the children 's literature journal The ALAN Review published by The Assembly on Literature for Adolescents , Edgar H. Thompson , Connie B. Blevins , and Allison Fitzgerald argued that protagonist Marty " consistently behaves " at levels 5 and 6 of Kohlberg 's stages of development . For instance , on his walk to Judd 's house , he wonders : " Easy as pie for Judd Travers to put a bullet hole in my head , say he didn 't see me . " Despite his fears , Marty continues walking to Judd 's house , persistent on protecting Shiloh despite potential bodily harm and even death to himself . The authors brooded over whether an 11 year old could attain such an elevated level despite most adults ' never being able to do so . Ultimately noting that the Newbery Committee and thousands of readers consider Marty to be realistic , they concluded that Marty is a positive role model for children to strive to be . 
