Jackson’s mother is named Deb Barrett, but the novel simply refers to her as “Mom” throughout the story. The novel depicts Mom as a caring and committed mother to Jackson. As one of his only companions in the remote wilderness, Mom is one of Jackson’s homeschool instructors and shares her knowledge about self-sufficiency and living off-grid with him. For instance, Mom teaches Jackson how to ice fish and hunt for rabbits and moose.

In the story, Mom also shows Jackson how to maintain a good attitude in times of crisis. When the winter bear invades their cabin, eats their food, and starts a fire, Mom helps Jackson remain calm and think of solutions to their problem: “‘We’re going to be all right…You know what we have to do,’ Mom said in a low voice. ‘We have to get to work’” (19). These exchanges paint Mom as a resilient person with the determination and positivity necessary to survive in the wild. Mom is a static character who does not change throughout the text.

Jackson’s dad, Bruce Barrett, is an attentive father and experienced outdoorsman. The author explains that Dad’s love of nature is the reason why their family came to live in the wilderness. She writes that while in college, “Dad was already dreaming of living on his own in the Alaskan bush. That’s what people called the wild parts of Alaska that were far from roads and towns. It turned out Mom was ready for an adventure, too” (10). Dad did not have many survival skills in his early days in the bush, and he learned from his many mistakes. Dad’s willingness to learn from challenges portrays him as an open-minded individual who highly values his opportunity to live off the land.

Dad helps Jackson learn the same survival skills that he has, such as hunting, fishing, and survival techniques like constructing shelters. He tries to help Jackson understand the gravity of his choices in the wilderness, where one wrong decision could be fatal. The author writes, “Dad once told Jackson that there were a thousand ways to die in Alaska. He’d meant it as a kind of joke. There definitely weren’t one thousand. Probably more like fifty” (20). During their trip to Valdez, Dad continues to push Jackson to expand his comfort zone and keep an open mind. For instance, when Jackson resists going to school, Dad encourages him to keep it in perspective: “‘Come on,’ Dad said with a frown. ‘Millions of kids go to school every day’” (28). Thus, Dad plays a key role in Jackson’s character arc, particularly as it relates to Individualism Versus Community.

Jackson’s Uncle Solly is a kind-hearted Alaskan man who works as a carpenter in Valdez. The narrative portrays Uncle Solly as a helpful and supportive friend. He is not Jackson’s biological uncle but is a close friend of his mom and dad. They met Solly during their first years of living in their off-grid cabin, where he was their neighbor living a similar lifestyle nearby. The Barretts credit Uncle Solly with helping them learn crucial skills to survive in the wilderness. Tarshis writes, “When Mom and Dad ran out of food that winter, Uncle Solly shared his. He’d taught them about hunting and fishing and living off the land. Without Uncle Solly’s help, Mom and Dad always said, they wouldn’t have survived the winter” (28). Uncle Solly’s kind nature makes him a trusted friend to the Barrett family, including Jackson. The author explains, “Uncle Solly. Just hearing that name helped Jackson relax. Uncle Solly was Mom and Dad’s best friend—Jackson’s, too” (23). These details help to explain why Mom, Dad, and Jackson seek Solly’s help when their cabin burns down, leaving them stranded with nothing. The Barretts’ memories of Uncle Solly’s support, as well as their continued reliance on him in their emergency, add to his characterization as a reliable and generous man who demonstrates The Strength of Family Bonds in Times of Crisis.

Miss Lawrence is Jackson’s fifth-grade teacher at his new elementary school in Valdez, Alaska. The narrative portrays Miss Lawrence as a positive, energetic, and compassionate teacher. Even though Jackson is unhappy about going to school, Miss Lawrence’s kind and engaging personality makes his transition a bit easier. On his first day at school, Jackson is surprised and happy to learn that Miss Lawrence is not a “grumpy” elderly woman like he was expecting: “This teacher was no grumpy grandma type. She was young and tall, with long black hair and a bright smile” (30). As an Indigenous Alaskan of the Unangax people, Miss Lawrence has personal knowledge of the state’s first peoples, which she shares with the class.

Miss Lawrence’s concern for her students comes through in her kind behavior. When Jackson becomes nervous in class, she comforts him: “Miss Lawrence put her hand on his shoulder as they walked back to the classroom. ‘You’ll feel better,’ she said. ‘First days are hard …’” (37). Later in the story, Miss Lawrence plays an important role in Jackson’s survival of the earthquake, as she sees him and his classmates on the road and gives them a ride to the safe meeting place. The author writes, “She’d spotted them as they hurried up Alaska Avenue. She’d driven them out of town, zigzagging around fissures and fallen telephone poles, stopping to pick up other dazed and bloody people” (70). While Jackson waits to see if his parents arrive, Miss Lawrence stays with him, again showing her concern and compassion for others: “But by ten o’clock that night, Jackson was still waiting in Miss Lawrence’s car. She never left his side, never let go of his hand” (71). With her caring actions, Miss Lawrence’s character adds to the theme of individualism versus community by showing how Jackson benefits from his community of caring neighbors in his time of need.