Snoop

Mr. Grimes functions as both a mentor figure and an unwitting red herring in the narrative. As Carter’s math teacher, he represents a stable and caring authority figure who shows genuine concern for Carter’s academic and personal well-being during his remote learning. He makes an effort to integrate Carter into the class via Zoom and even visits his home, demonstrating a level of dedication that extends beyond the classroom. However, his stressed and weary demeanor, which he attributes to his visiting brother, makes him an object of Carter’s suspicion. Carter observes him having dinner with a woman who is not his wife and later sees his twin driving the smugglers’ van, leading him to erroneously conclude that his teacher is involved in criminal activity.

This misidentification is a central element of the plot and reinforces the novel’s emphasis on misinterpretation. The revelation that Mr. Grimes has an identical twin brother clarifies Carter’s misunderstanding and confirms that the teacher himself is not responsible for the crimes being investigated. Mr. Grimes’s stress is legitimate, stemming from the “toxic” dynamic with his criminal sibling rather than from a secret life of wrongdoing. Throughout the story, he remains a static, round character whose integrity is never compromised. His efforts to mediate the social conflict between Carter and his classmates, along with his final conversation with Carter—during which he refuses to hold him personally responsible for his brother’s arrest—underscore his role as a consistently supportive educator.

Lacey is a dynamic, round character who serves as Carter’s primary love interest and acts as a barometer for his social standing. Initially, she is the catalyst for Carter’s snooping, as he uses the town’s cameras to watch her. As one of his appointed student ambassadors, she is brought into his isolated world, but her association with the popular antagonist, Maddox, and his group, the “Chairmen of the Bored” (19), establishes her as part of the social sphere from which Carter is excluded.

Lacey’s perception of Carter shifts dramatically throughout the novel. Following Carter’s false accusation against Mr. Grimaldi, which inadvertently gets the Chairmen in trouble, she becomes his harshest critic. She quits her role as his ambassador, declaring him a “snoop—and a pretty lousy one at that!” (90), embodying the social rejection that results from his intrusive behavior. This confrontation highlights the negative consequences of Carter’s actions and forces him to reckon with the harm that his spying has caused. Her perspective shifts again after Carter saves her and her friends from the snow leopard. Her initial shock transforms into admiration, as she tells him, “It was the bravest thing I’ve ever seen!” (182). Her renewed friendship and support mark the end of Carter’s social isolation.

Martin, Carter’s eight-year-old brother, is a flat character who functions as the story’s catalyst and as a foil to the protagonist. It is his skiing mishap that causes Carter’s double leg fracture, setting the plot in motion. In the immediate aftermath, Carter exploits Martin’s guilt, turning his younger brother into a personal butler who fetches him snacks and batteries. This dynamic highlights Carter’s initial selfishness and resentment.

However, Martin’s character develops beyond being merely the source of Carter’s problem. Overcome with guilt and empathy, he makes a significant gesture of loyalty by secretly offering Carter his iPad after their mother confiscates all of Carter’s devices. This act demonstrates a surprising maturity and a deep-seated affection for his brother, marking a turning point in their relationship. Carter’s refusal of the iPad, in turn, signals his own moral growth. Martin’s presence is again crucial during the climax, as his spotting of the snow leopard on the drone’s screen confirms Carter’s discovery and prompts Carter’s confrontation with the animal.

Ethan is Carter’s best friend, and he serves as a loyal confidant, an accomplice, and a moral compass. As Carter’s first student ambassador, he is a crucial link to the school life from which Carter is physically disconnected. He willingly aids Carter in his initial investigation of “Needle-Nose,” even “dumpster diving” for clues.

At the same time, Ethan voices his unease with Carter’s increasingly intrusive surveillance, cautioning him against hacking into private cameras and warning that “[n]o good can come of it” (43). His concerns foreshadow the negative consequences of Carter’s snooping. A dynamic character, Ethan’s loyalty is tested when Carter becomes a social pariah. He succumbs to peer pressure, distancing himself from Carter and joining the Chairmen of the Bored. This abandonment underscores the depth of Carter’s isolation. However, their friendship proves resilient. After Carter’s heroic act saves him and the other Chairmen, their bond is restored, highlighting the theme of Redemption Through Accountability.

Maddox is the story’s primary social antagonist and a rival to Carter. As the founder and leader of the Chairmen of the Bored, a group dedicated to pranks, he represents the exclusionary nature of middle-school social hierarchies. He is a flat and static character whose main function is to create conflict for Carter. Maddox’s rivalry with Carter is twofold: He competes for Lacey’s attention and actively works to ostracize Carter, enforcing a “lifetime ban” from his clique.

After Carter’s spying inadvertently leads to the Chairmen getting caught by the police, Maddox successfully turns the seventh grade against Carter, branding him a “tattletale” and a “spoilsport.” His taunting and the party from which he deliberately excludes Carter intensify Carter’s social isolation. Maddox’s role concludes with a visible shift in behavior. After Carter saves him and the other students during the snow-leopard incident, Maddox publicly applauds him, leading the class in a standing ovation. This response signals a reversal in Maddox’s treatment of Carter and reflects the broader change in how Carter is perceived by his peers.

Carter’s mother is a key secondary character who represents parental authority and concern. A professional photographer, her primary conflict with Carter centers on his excessive screen time, a habit that she attempts to limit by encouraging more active pursuits. After Carter’s snooping leads to trouble with the police, she enforces a strict ban on his computer and phone, a disciplinary action that inadvertently pushes Carter toward alternative methods of observation, namely her drone. The drone, a tool of her trade, becomes central to Carter’s ability to observe events beyond his immediate surroundings.

Although she is unaware of his secret activities, her actions remain instrumental to his development. Her eventual pride in Carter’s actions brings resolution to their conflict, as she recognizes that his engagement with technology—while problematic at times—also played a role in preventing harm.