96 Miles

At eleven years old, Stewart is two years younger than his brother John. As the novel unfolds, Stewart is argumentative, unhelpful, and pessimistic. However, John notes on several occasions that this is not Stew’s usual personality. In fact, Stew has more survival knowledge than John, and is usually strong and determined. John is saddened that Cleverly and Will aren’t seeing the Stew he knows.

Stew’s uncharacteristic actions stem from circumstances. Since Stew is diabetic and unable to get insulin, he is facing the probability of death. With every step, his body grows weaker and more dehydrated. Stew is also troubled by John’s attitude and pride. He doesn’t want to be treated like a baby or left out of decisi­­ons. Stew gets John’s attention by drinking a day’s ration of water, shoving his brother, and stepping in front of the truck John stole.

Stew is a difficult character to understand and sympathize with at first, but Esplin makes it clear through John’s narration that Stew is actually a brave, resilient, and caring individual. Even though he faces life-threatening circumstances, he still wants to help Will and Cleverly and does not relinquish his moral values.

Cleverly is about the same age as John. When they first meet, she has her dirty blond hair in a ponytail and her eyes are rimmed with red from lack of sleep. Even so, John finds her attractive. Cleverly’s unique name comes from her grandparents—it’s their last name—but it also fits her smart, clear-thinking personality. She has the ability to see the most logical course of action on several occasions, such as going to the reservoir with John and sending John to Brighton Ranch while she and Will wait with Stewart.

Even though her intelligence is an asset to the group, John hesitates to share details about the journey with her, especially at the beginning, because he knows she will oppose his plan. Like John, Cleverly is brave, determined, and resilient. She traveled 15 miles with her brother and continued their journey alongside Stewart and John. She takes care of her younger brother and puts aside her fear to help John steal a truck at the reservoir. Cleverly shows that Kids Can Do Hard Things.

Esplin provides background information about Cleverly’s family to demonstrate her selflessness. Cleverly and Will left their grandparents so that their grandparents would have more to eat. In this way, Cleverly’s actions explore the theme of The Intertwining of Self-Reliance and Community. Her ability to care for herself does not contradict with her ability to care for others; in fact, the two are aligned.

Will is younger than Cleverly by a few years and looks to John to be about eight or nine years old. His hair hangs in his eyes, and when they first start walking, he continuously licks his chapped lips. John sees Will as the weak link of the group and worries he will slow them down. Even though John gives him a ChapStick, Will loses it within an hour, suggesting that he is not very responsible or capable.

However, John soon comes learns that he was wrong about Will. When Will takes a turn carrying Stew’s backpack, a change comes over him. He keeps up with John’s quick pace and helps him aerate the water at each stop. He also becomes more interested in learning survival skills and offers input and ideas. When John and Cleverly return with the truck, Will is the one to find the gas can in the back. Will also agrees, without hesitation, to wait with Stew and give all the water to John and Stew, who need it most.

Although he is the youngest of the group, Will contributes much, and like his sister, shows that Kids Can Do Hard Things. His character demonstrates the way giving a person a responsibility can boost his or her confidence and lead to independence and resilience.

Jess is a close family friend of the Lockwoods. She has light brown hair, freckles, and hazel eyes that reveal her concern when she hears about Stew’s situation. Like Stew, Jess is diabetic. She helped Stewart learn how to change his insulin pump cartridge and infusion set and is a role model of how a young person can live with diabetes without complaint.

John remarks multiple times on her bravery and her patience in explaining diabetes to others. Although Jess only appears in the final few chapters, she holds a significant role as Stew’s savior. Her willingness to do hard things for the good of others allows her to immediately fit in with the Battle Born four.

Jim Lockwood is Stew and John’s father. Although he is not physically present, his influence on his sons permeates their behavior and drives the plot. Jim taught his sons to be self-reliant problem solvers who are willing to do hard things. He chose to live and raise his family in the relatively remote community of Lund, Nevada; this indicates his desire to give his boys an upbringing different from what a city or suburb could offer.

Jim is prepared to survive a disaster. He has a sixth-month food and water supply for himself and his two boys, a generator, and ready-to-go survival packs. He also seems to have taught his boys several survival skills, such as building a fire, hooking up the generator, and handling a gun safely. Finally, Jim instilled the importance of caring for others and helping them when possible, and The Intertwining of Self-Reliance and Community. This leads John to allow Cleverly and Will to accompany them on their trek to Brighton Ranch, even though it means less food and water for himself and Stew.

Clayton is the novel’s antagonist. He holds a gun to John and Stew’s heads and threatens to kill them while his friends take all their supplies—including the generator they need to keep Stew’s insulin cold.

However, Esplin shows another side of Clayton when John sees him at the reservoir campsite. Clayton stares into the fire with a blank, emotionless look. His exchange with Spike suggests that Clayton feels guilty for robbing the Lockwood boys, and that his regret is eating away at him. He sees John taking water from one of the tanks but doesn’t stop him.

Clayton has the ability to see that what he did was wrong. Even though he made a bad choice, he is not fully evil. He was acting out of fear and self-preservation when he robbed the boys.