Stranded

Carter’s nine-year-old sister, Jane Benson becomes a valuable member of the group after they’re stranded. The full extent of her character emerges over time through the actions she takes and the way she holds her ground in the toughest situations. Despite Jane’s being the youngest, the others see her as the smartest member of the group and the most resourceful. She’s skilled at thinking outside the box and seeing unconventional solutions to problems, and she studies everything so that she can be informed when she goes into a new situation. Jane takes after her brother and often demonstrates the theme of Bravery as a Tool for Survival, but her intelligence is her most defining trait.

Jane looks up to Vanessa as the sister she never had before. Because Jane is the youngest, she hates the idea of showing her fear, so she acts as bravely as possible, and after successfully navigating through the cave, she starts to feel confident that she can survive on the island. Jane has the opportunity to lead her older brother for the first time and, instead of experiencing the usual protection and patronizing behavior from the others, she becomes a leader and someone they can depend on. In the story’s conclusion, Jane uses the navigation charts and Dex’s captain’s logs to more precisely determine the area that the island is likely within. In doing so, she increases the group’s chances of being found.

Eleven-year-old Benjamin Diaz goes by Buzz “because he said that Benjamin was always watching something or playing some game that went crash, bang, or buzz” (88). He’s Vanessa’s younger brother and a dynamic character who starts off overly anxious and fearful, as well as reluctant to enjoy the vacation or take part. Vanessa notices how opposite Carter and Buzz are: While the boat is underway, Buzz often throws up from motion sickness or stays in the cabin, while Carter is always eager to pitch in and be part of the adventure. By a turn of events, Buzz is left in charge of the steering wheel during the storm, which puts him out of his comfort zone and forces him to discover his inner courage, alluding to the theme of Bravery as a Tool for Survival.

As Buzz’s confidence starts to rise, he crosses a fallen tree across a gorge, leads the group in building a fire, and has the idea to use the sail to collect rainwater. Buzz finds the strength to fight through his fears, panic, and self-doubt, and he begins to see himself as a successful, strong person. Although Carter is reluctant to get to know him, Buzz is a quieter, softer person and worries profusely about Carter and Jane while they’re gone. He sits awake through the night, flashing his light in the hopes that they’ll see it and return safely.

The oldest of the four protagonists in Stranded is Buzz’s sister, 13-year-old Vanessa Diaz. Although she feels responsible and more mature than the others at times, she has flaws that hint at her young age. While Vanessa is intelligent and good with technology, as well as highly observant of the people around her, she acts with haste and panics when she uses the satellite phone before giving anyone time to determine their likely location. This small mistake has major consequences since the phone’s battery dies, leaving the children with no way to reach anyone to come to rescue them.

Vanessa is protective, particularly of Jane, whom she sees as young and vulnerable. She worries about the group’s safety and does her best to contribute where her skills come in handy, like attempting to fix the solar panel and read the navigation maps. In addition, Vanessa keeps the group organized and focused, and she gives Carter the patience he needs when he becomes upset or rejects her attempts to become closer. When Carter and Jane emerge from the cave, safe and unscathed, Vanessa is overwhelmed with relief and hugs Carter. Vanessa is the warmest sibling and is thus the one most responsible for promoting a bond among them, demonstrating the theme of Forging a Blended Family.

Carter and Jane’s Uncle Dexter (Dex) is the captain of the Lucky Star and is a static but important character in the story’s introduction. After he’s swept out to sea with Joe and the life raft, he becomes a source of hope. Dex is an explorer who has sailed to many islands around the world, and he offers to take the four siblings on a sailing trip while their parents are on a honeymoon. Their parents’ hope is that the isolation and time together will encourage bonding among the children, who are still becoming a blended family.

When the storm hits, threatening the boat and everyone on it, Dex reacts with optimism, pointing to the challenge as an opportunity to become closer: “A hard turn like this just brings you closer together. And let’s face it, isn’t that exactly what your parents wanted you kids to get out of this trip?” (20). Ironically, Dex is right but is unaware that much more than just a storm will spur this change. He does all he can to save the boat, and when it becomes clear that he can’t, he and Joe take out the life raft. Dex models the theme of Bravery as a Tool for Survival but is swept out to sea by natural forces beyond his control. He and Joe are eventually rescued and begin a search for the children.