What is the name of the Hero Boy in the book "The Polar Express"?

Athough the name of the hero in the movie version of "The Polar Express" is never revealed, in the book version his name is Chris. He is named after the book's author Chris Van Allsburg.

Van Allsburg based the 1985 book on his life as a very young boy (9 to 10 years of age) during Christmas Eve when he was having a dream about riding on a magical train from his hometown Grand Rapids, Michigan, all the way to the North Pole to meet a "real-life" Santa Claus.

He told Santa that he wanted a bell for Christmas, which was later granted as the first gift of Christmas. Sadly, what Chris didn't really know was that he had a small hole in one of his pockets which caused his "first gift" to slip out and drop onto Santa's sleigh. When it was time to open the presents on Christmas morning, there was a special present in a box behind the tree. He opened the box and found the bell that was also the "first gift." He also reads the letter Santa wrote, whom luckily found the bell. The elves grabbed a special spare "left over" gift box, along with the ribbon to keep it safe and put the present with the rest in Santa's sack.

In the 2004 movie version that starred Tom Hanks, the only child's name you learn is that of Billy, who jumped onto the train after the hero boy pulled the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. Hero boy was scolded by the train conductor for stopping the train, but then commended the boy for his compassion in allowing Billy to join the trip.

More Info: polarexpress.wikia.com

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8 Comments

David Roy

According to the reference you have provided: "While Hero Boy's real name is never revealed in either the book or the film, several art books related to the film say that his name is Chris." As your question specifically asks for the name given in the book, the answer must be "none".

John McLardie

This, as Severus Snape would say, is based on a false assumption. The boys' name is never metioned in the book either. It is commentators, and others, who have assumed that the name of the character is that of the author. The options need to be amended.

Marian Spitzig

It was never mentioned in the book either. I guessed Chris as it is the author’s Name.

dvdeaton

Heard of the "Polar Express," but not about the characters. If i would have gotten this one right, as less than 50% of us did, would have been a total lucky guess...