CHARACTER
Wishby Barbara O'Connor

Howard Odom

Howard Odom

Quick Facts

Howard Odom is Charlie Reese's first friend in Colby, assigned as her "Backpack Buddy." His kindness and loyalty help Charlie heal and grow. He first appears in Chapter 1, and his key relationship is with Charlie.

Who He Is

Howard is the embodiment of unwavering kindness and acceptance in Colby. Despite facing his own challenges, he consistently offers support and friendship to Charlie, helping her to break down her walls and learn to trust others. His quirky personality and insightful wisdom make him a unique and invaluable friend to Charlie.

Personality & Traits

Howard's personality is marked by his genuine kindness and quirky nature. He approaches the world with an open heart and a willingness to accept others as they are, making him a steadying influence in Charlie's life.

  • Unconditionally Kind: Bertha describes him as "good as gold" (Chapter 2), and he consistently demonstrates this through his gentle and forgiving nature. Even when Charlie is mean to him, he remains a loyal friend.
  • Persistent and Loyal: Howard takes his role as Backpack Buddy seriously, refusing to be deterred by Charlie's initial rejections. His loyalty provides a stable force in Charlie's turbulent life.
  • Wise Beyond His Years: Howard often shares simple but insightful wisdom, usually quoting his mother. He advises Charlie to share her troubles to make them smaller and helps her see that she can't fix her family but can apologize to Bertha.
  • Quirky and Unique: Howard is unabashedly himself. He formally shakes hands upon meeting Charlie, is a champion at the "Bible Detective" game, enjoys crossword puzzles, and suggests "Pineapple" as a code word to manage anger (Chapter 3).
  • Resilient: Despite being bullied for his limp, Howard rarely shows that it affects him. Bertha notes that he "don’t bat an eye when kids poke fun at him" (Chapter 2). He carries his own challenges with a quiet strength that contrasts with Charlie's explosive reactions to her own pain.

Character Journey

Howard's character arc is less about personal transformation and more about being a catalyst for change in Charlie's life. From the moment he introduces himself as her Backpack Buddy, he remains a constant source of support and acceptance. As their friendship deepens, Howard becomes Charlie's confidant and partner in her quest to catch Wishbone. Through his unwavering belief in her, Howard helps Charlie learn to trust others and begin the process of Healing and Overcoming Trauma.

Key Relationships

  • Charlie Reese: Howard is Charlie's first and most important friend in Colby. He sees past her anger and offers her the unconditional acceptance she has never experienced. He helps her with her biggest goals: catching Wishbone and, unknowingly, finding a place where she belongs. Their friendship is central to Charlie's journey toward understanding The Meaning of Family.
  • The Odom Family: Howard is a product of his loving, chaotic, and good-hearted family. His mother's wisdom and the supportive environment of his home have shaped his kind and resilient nature. The Odoms provide Charlie with a model of a functional, loving family, which stands in stark contrast to her own.

Defining Moments

Howard's defining moments are characterized by his consistent kindness and unwavering support for Charlie. These moments highlight his role as a moral compass and a source of stability in her life.

  • The First Bus Ride (Chapter 1): Howard ignores Charlie's attempts to isolate herself and introduces himself as her "Backpack Buddy." This persistence establishes his character and marks the beginning of their friendship.
  • Sharing Troubles by the Road (Chapter 6): After Charlie has a major fight with Bertha, Howard finds her crying. He encourages her to share her problems and gives her the crucial advice to focus on what she can fix—her relationship with Bertha—rather than what she can't.
  • The Creek Incident (Chapter 16): In a moment of cruelty, Charlie guesses that Howard's secret wish is to not have his "up-down walk." Howard's quiet, hurt reaction reveals his vulnerability, and Charlie's eventual apology (Chapter 19) is a significant step in her moral development.
  • The Wishbone Pull (Chapter 22): At a Sunday dinner, Howard selflessly trades his prized "Bible bucks" to his brother so that Charlie can have the chance to pull the chicken wishbone, demonstrating the depth of his friendship and his desire for her happiness.
  • The Wish Reveal (Chapter 31): Howard reveals that his wish at the creek was twofold: for Charlie to be his friend and for her to stay in Colby. This moment solidifies his role as her most loyal ally and shows that his greatest desire was for their friendship to continue.

Essential Quotes

Howard's quotes reveal his simple yet profound wisdom and his unwavering belief in the power of friendship. They offer insight into his character and his role as a guiding force in Charlie's life.

My mama says you should never keep your troubles to yourself. She says if you share ’em with somebody, they get smaller.

— Howard to Charlie (Chapter 6)

This quote encapsulates Howard's belief in the importance of sharing burdens and seeking support from others. It reflects the wisdom he has gained from his mother and highlights his desire to help Charlie overcome her challenges.

Every time you feel yourself starting to get mad, say ‘Pineapple.’

— Howard to Charlie (Chapter 3)

This quirky advice reveals Howard's creative approach to managing emotions. It demonstrates his understanding that finding healthy coping mechanisms can help navigate difficult feelings.

Bless his heart. Good as gold, that boy is. Don’t bat an eye when kids poke fun at him, calling him names like Pogo.

— Bertha about Howard (Chapter 2)

Bertha's description of Howard highlights his resilience and good-hearted nature. Despite facing teasing and bullying, he remains kind and unbothered, showcasing his inner strength.

’Cause that was the other part of my wish... I wished that you would be my friend and stay here in Colby.

— Howard to Charlie (Chapter 31)

This quote reveals the depth of Howard's feelings for Charlie and his desire for their friendship to continue. It solidifies his role as her most loyal ally and shows that his greatest wish is for their bond to endure.