Nine Faces, One Journey

Here are some of the characters in Octavia and the Critter Committee (the novel I'm working on).
Octavia Phillips-Tall, spindly Octavia is an independently thinking individual who thinks a bit too hard about the world. She loves science, classic literature (particularly the works of ancient Greek philosophers and Shakespeare) and asks questions all the time. Regarded as strange because of her appearance, slightly reclusive behavior, and different approach to the world from everyone else, most people are a little intimidated by her. Despite her fear of crowds and mediocre social skills, Octavia can be helpful, kind, and faithful when she wants to. She has it in her, and wants to reach out to other people, but sadly, she often gets cold feet when talking to people other than family members. When she really wants to, Octavia can be a fearless leader and take initiative. She also enjoys writing in her journal and taking apart clocks (to see how they work) in her spare time.
Francine Phillips-The only child of Mavis Phillips to have not been adopted, this redheaded mademoiselle is the polar opposite to Octavia. She is a lot more social and while Octavia is terrified of people, she needs to be with people. Francine is also a peacemaker, and will try to solve conflicts as well as she can. Talking to people and helping others comes a bit more natural to her than her best friend Octavia (whose attempts at helping others sometimes end in disaster), but sometimes, people just wish she wouldn't come to the rescue all the time.
Miranda Phillips-Miranda is a plucky tomboy with a rough-and-tumble personality and a tendency to be a prankster. She's considered the "secret weapon" of the otherwise all-male soccer team she's on, and is very goal-driven, but sometimes she forgets what's important in the process. An extremely defensive person, Miranda is very prone to getting into a scrap with someone who threatens her/her friends and has a temper about an inch long. But although she tries very hard to deny it, Miranda has a softer side to her and is actually a great kid if you stay on her good side.
C.J. Phillips-Green-skinned C.J. (whose real name is Cassiopeia Josephine) is Miranda's polar opposite-she doesn't like to fight, and scares easily. C.J. is gentle, kind, and sometimes worries too much. She's also the most artsy one, writing haikus and playing ukulele in her spare time (she can write her own songs) and is a bit of a hippie. The only member of the main 5 looking for love, she has a not-so-secret crush on a rather handsome (despite having an eye patch) guy named Darryl. However, he doesn't notice her as much as she'd like, sadly.
Owen Culebrion-Owen is the only albino kid in his school, but he's also one of the wisest. Having an incredible memory, Owen can recall many details of his early childhood and doesn't need to put a string on his finger to remember what his math homework was. People make fun of Owen for his albinism (or are afraid of him because they think he practices dark magic) so Octavia put aside her fear of people to befriend Owen, having taken pity on him. Owen is a nice guy, but he's sometimes a little rude when it comes to expressing his opinion.
Yvette Zipperstein-The resident weirdo of Pangaea Academy, Yvette is a geeky girl with a runaway imagination and some serious hyperactivity issues. She has plenty of bizarre hobbies, such as scribbling caterpillars on her arms, crocheting shoes for her pet poodle Moisturizer, and playing the concertina. Yvette's locker is next to Miranda's, and for this reason, she always pesters her about teaming up and making a music video. She has more secrets and tricks up her sleeve than hairs on her head, as some say.
Concetta Jackman-The recently elected Overseer of Progress on the Cronos Council is incredibly brilliant, but very rigid and serious. Some people are actually a little intimidated by her stern nature, but she is actually very wise and acts as mentor to some of the characters. Concetta was the one who started most of the special programs at Pangaea Academy because she has recently discovered that the world will end two thousand years from now, and will do anything in her power to save it.
Forsythia DePhocio-She is a 17-year-old Canadian girl with her head in the clouds and a bit of an obsession with all things romantic. Most people dismiss her as annoying because she's the class matchmaker, pairing up the other kids and telling them they "would make an adorable couple, and that they really should be dating". Not that Forsythia herself has a boyfriend, she is looking for love, just like C.J., and so far, not too many guys are interested in her. Also, Forsythia can sing, too. Just not play guitar too well. (Yes, she has a Bluetooth in her right ear, not a hearing aid.)
Zebulon "Z" Zanes-His full name is Zebulon Zacharias Zanes, and since it has so many Z's in it, people just gave up and called him "Z" for short. Z may be a bit snobby sometimes because he's fairly popular and sometimes he doesn't always tell the truth, but aside from that, he's nice, funny, and easy to talk to. He and his best friend Darryl are journalists for the school paper, so he's no stranger to interviewing people. Z has a girlfriend-Yvette.