Matt is the book’s protagonist and undergoes the most change. As the central figure, he is the clearest point of view character, though breaks into omniscient or a different limited viewpoint are occasionally evident.

The book begins in the middle of conflict for Matt: eager to pack and leave for the campout, he instead must stay at dinner until he eats his peas. The irrational choice to hide the peas in the sugar bowl shows Matt’s impulsivity and inability to consider consequences. The impacts of these character traits snowball when he invites Katie on the campout; now he must contend with a pestering little sister on what should have been a special event between friends. While these conflicts seem substantial to Matt at the opening of the story, he will come to know true conflict once in the past’s wartime setting, and he will learn several life lessons regarding responsibility, empathy, and overcoming fear as he witnesses and experiences battles both personal and historical.

Despite his flaws—or perhaps because of them—Matt is a typical 10-and-a-half-year-old boy who enjoys adventure stories. He is part of a tight circle of friends in Hooter, Q, and Tony.