I have read enough of the book now to be able to continue this post. This is actually a pretty good thing to do specifically for this science fiction book and any particular novel that contains multiple characters so you can keep in mind who's who. Some times I think we do it subconsciously because if you ask any one to name all the Harry Potter characters they normally associate them with a certain event or physical characteristic. So I'm trying to do the same approach here.
3. Lara Henderson
She is the first human friend that Kip has ever had. She moved to the planet because her father was a researcher who had to travel to the planet Paradise. She is a flat character in my opinion because she hasn't really changed much by the end of the book in my opinion. But I think that's what Kip needs during the life changing events that occur. A steady rock I guess, but she seems a little bit more complex then a rock so maybe she is a dog. Not just any dog though, it has to be a dog that will stick with you through anything. For example she quick to support and help Kip when he needs it.
4. Marty
I for some reason could never find his full name, but that's okay he doesn't deserve it in my opinion because he was a bully and wanted one of Kip's dogs to be killed. He was introduced as one of the older kids who came to the planet and didn't want to be restricted by someone who was younger then he was. So to deal with that he bullied Kip. One example in the book was when "they just tossed his cap around and laughed....Kip fell and the others laughed (40)". The cap was really important to Kip because it has the radio transmiter sewn into the hem, so if the group were to get attacked, help would come as soons as possible. So as you can tell I despise Marty and just for a small spoiler he gets attacked by centaurs and dogs, so it gets balanced. I think he is a mosquito, because annoying and mean in the actions that he has displayed.
