Gwendy Peterson

Gwendy Peterson is the main character of this novel. She is an only child who is 12 at the time the novel opens. She has been being called names in school because she is overweight and has begun exercising in order to lose weight and stop the bullying. This decision on Gwendy’s part illustrates her willingness to attack her problems head on as well as her maturity.

After she has run up the Suicide Stairs, Farris greets her with the news that he has been watching her and is impressed with her behavior. He shows her the button box and even though she has been hesitant in talking to Farris, she is so attracted by a feeling that it belongs to her, that she forgets her hesitancy. Farris explains to her that he is giving her a big responsibility by letting her be in possession of the...