John is thirteen years old, and the novel is narrated from his first-person point of view. He is sarcastic, adding dry humor to the novel. He is knowledgeable about survival, determined, and capable, traits instilled by his father. He is stubborn and even refuses to eat or drink for two days until Stew agrees to go with him to Brighton Ranch. John thinks of himself as the leader while his dad is gone. He looks up to Mr. Lockwood and doesn’t want to disappoint him. At the beginning of the novel, he expects too much of himself.

John feels that the burden of his and Stew’s survival rests on his shoulders, and this creates tension between he and Stew. John is constantly worried about Stew but doesn’t show this through sympathy or softness; instead, he pours his anxiety into action and making plans without consulting his brother. Through the novel’s events, John learns that he can’t do everything alone. He doesn’t need to be the sole leader. Taking input and help from others is often what’s best for the group. By the end of the novel, he learns to put aside his pride, and to recognize when fear controls his decisions rather than logic.