What evidence suggests that Jem is the hero of To Kill a Mockingbird?

There is evidence throughout the text that suggest Jem Finch is the hero of the novel. In Chapter 1, Jem is the first person to run into the Radley yard and touch the house. This scene portrays Jem's courage and his ability to overcome adversity. All the children fear Boo Radley, the "malevolent phantom" who secludes himself inside his house all day. When Dill dares Jem, he accepts the challenge and overcomes his fears.

Later...

There is evidence throughout the text that suggest Jem Finch is the hero of the novel. In Chapter 1, Jem is the first person to run into the Radley yard and touch the house. This scene portrays Jem's courage and his ability to overcome adversity. All the children fear Boo Radley, the "malevolent phantom" who secludes himself inside his house all day. When Dill dares Jem, he accepts the challenge and overcomes his fears.

Later on in the novel, Jem loses his temper and smashes Mrs. Dubose's camellia bush. As punishment, Jem is forced to read to her every day after school, including Saturdays. Unknowingly, Jem helps Mrs. Dubose break her morphine addiction. Jem's reading distracts Mrs. Dubose long enough to extend the periods of time between taking her medication. Jem saves Mrs. Dubose from dying as a morphine addict.

In Chapter 15, the Old Sarum bunch arrive at Tom Robinson's jail cell and attempt to harm him. Jem fears for his father's safety and leaves the house to check up on Atticus. Jem arrives just as the mob surrounds Atticus. Jem refuses to leave his father's presence. This is yet another scene that displays Jem's courage. Eventually, Walter Cunningham tells his men to leave, and Atticus is safe. If it were not for Jem leaving the house, both Tom Robinson and Atticus could have been in grave danger. Jem saves Tom Robinson's life before the trial because of his courageous decision to stay outside of the jailhouse, even when Atticus told him to go home.