Nick Waters / Nicky

As a main character in the story, Nick Waters bands together with his friends to reunite a panther and her cub. Even though many of Nick's character traits are present at the beginning of the novel, they blossom over the course of the narrative as he grows as a person. In the beginning of the novel, Nick shows that he is brave and tries to be there for other people by sacrificing himself and raising his hand in order to help Marta. However, he is uncertain that this is the action he should take so he hesitates before doing so "...and he hated himself" (3) for doing so. However, he is scared as he waits for Mrs. Starch to call on him.

Nick shows the same trait of bravery when he wants to protect his mother while his father is in Iraq. He also tries hard to...