The Secret Battle of Evan Pao

Celeste Pao, Evan’s 15-year-old sister and a high school freshman, is a complex and layered character who serves as a foil to Evan. Her tendency to dress entirely in black and her attachment to her phone signal her defiance and desire to control how others perceive her (11). While Evan is empathetic and eager to fit in, Celeste is assertive, guarded, and unapologetically herself. She resists conforming to the expectations of Haddington and embraces her outsider identity, offering a counterpoint to Evan’s struggle for acceptance.

Celeste’s approach to the challenges of their father’s abandonment and the family’s move to Haddington contrasts sharply with Evan’s. While Evan internalizes his emotions, blaming himself for not sensing their father Michael’s lies, Celeste directs her energy outward. Her advice to Evan—“Go in like a boss” (24)—reflects her assertiveness and unwillingness to appease others. Yet, beneath her tough exterior lies a deep well of vulnerability. Celeste openly admits to the pain Michael’s actions caused, explaining that “it’s easier to just be mad” (85). She acknowledges the complexity of her emotions, confessing to a desire for Michael to return so she could confront him. This duality highlights her emotional depth and her struggle to reconcile anger with longing, similar to Evan’s internal battle.

Celeste’s resistance to assimilating into Haddington culture is another key aspect of her character. Unlike Evan, who wants to fit in, Celeste rejects the notion entirely, claiming her identity as “not from here.” She quickly critiques others’ shallow perceptions, telling Evan that admiration without knowledge is as hollow as hatred. Her perspective reflects her maturity and critical thinking as she recognizes the emptiness of surface-level acceptance. This insight, however, isolates her further from her peers, reinforcing her outsider status.

Despite her resistance, Celeste’s character arc shows subtle growth as she adapts to life in Haddington. Over time, she forms connections, finds her own space, and makes friends, even if she does so on her own terms. Her journey reflects her ability to maintain her individuality while navigating the challenges of a new environment. By the novel’s end, Celeste emerges as a character who balances resilience with vulnerability, showing that strength can coexist with emotional complexity. Her evolution complements Evan’s story and illustrates the novel’s broader themes of The Struggle to Find Identity and Belonging When You’re Different.

The Pao family—Elaine, Michael, and Uncle Joe—play a pivotal role in shaping the themes and emotional depth of The Secret Battle of Evan Pao. Each member reflects different aspects of How Family Dynamics and Legacy Affect Relationships, resilience, and How Prejudice Hurts People and Communities. 

Elaine, Evan and Celeste’s mother, is a deeply protective and determined figure. After Michael’s betrayal, Elaine prioritizes stability for her children by moving them across the country to Haddington, where her brother Joe resides. Her overprotectiveness manifests in her insistence on micromanaging her children’s school experience, offering to meet with teachers and emailing them daily to monitor Evan and Celeste’s adjustment. While these actions reveal her devotion, they also highlight her underlying insecurity and fear. Elaine’s desire to maintain a positive front for her children underscores her internal struggle with the instability Michael caused. Her willingness to let Evan and Celeste keep Mochi, despite her initial reluctance, reveals her yearning to preserve their happiness: “Up until three seconds ago, you were smiling. […] I miss that smile” (81). Elaine’s growth is evident as she slowly opens up to the community and learns to forgive, most notably in her eventual understanding of Brady’s behavior. By recognizing that Brady is a product of his environment, Elaine demonstrates empathy and personal growth, teaching her children the value of understanding others despite past harm.

Michael, though absent from the novel, exerts a significant influence on the family. Initially portrayed as a selfish scam artist who abandoned his family, Michael is later revealed to have been a loving father, attentive and emotionally expressive in ways his own father was not. Evan recalls how Michael’s affectionate words often embarrassed him but also left a lasting impression. Despite this, Michael’s letter from prison fails to provide comfort or closure, emphasizing his stagnation as a character. However, his absence catalyzes the rest of the family’s growth, forcing Elaine, Evan, and Celeste to confront their emotions and develop resilience.

Uncle Joe, Elaine’s brother, provides a grounded and pragmatic presence. An electrician who settled in Haddington after repairing storm damage, Joe is straightforward and unflinchingly honest, offering Evan a sense of stability amidst his sensitivity to lies. Joe’s “old-fashioned” advice, such as encouraging Evan to fight Brady after the window-shooting incident, highlights his contrasting ideology. While Joe and Evan differ in their approaches, Joe’s unwavering support demonstrates how differing perspectives can coexist within a family. Joe’s role also underscores the importance of intergenerational bonds and the value of honesty in fostering trust. Together, Elaine, Michael, and Joe illustrate the complexities of family dynamics, showing how love, conflict, and growth intertwine to shape each member’s journey.

Max Baldwin is Evan’s first friend in Haddington and is a significant foil to Evan’s character. While Evan grapples with his outsider status, Max is confident and secure in his place within the town, primarily due to his family’s prominence—his father is the police chief. His mother is a former president of the parent-teacher association. The novel highlights Max’s privilege in moments like, “He knew he was one of Mrs. Norwood’s favorites. He didn’t try to be, he just was” (32), emphasizing his ease in navigating the community’s social structure. This self-assurance allows Max to appreciate Evan’s unique perspective, especially in a town resistant to change.

Despite his confidence, Max faces moral challenges when it comes to standing up for Evan. His initial failure to defend Evan when Brady dismisses information about Asian soldiers in the Civil War reflects his internal conflict and his struggle to confront injustice, mainly when it involves a former friend. Max’s regret over this moment and his horror at his father’s dismissive response to the shooting highlight his growing awareness of systemic issues and personal accountability. In response, Max takes a stand by rallying his classmates to give Brady the silent treatment, demonstrating his evolving sense of justice and his willingness to act on his convictions.

Max’s relationship with Brady is another layer of complexity. Once best friends, Max begins to distance himself after Brady’s growth spurt and increasingly aggressive behavior. However, Max continues to navigate his conflicted feelings, attempting to apologize on Brady’s behalf and eventually respecting Evan’s choice to accept Brady’s apology. By the novel’s end, Max’s efforts to reconcile his friendships with both Brady and Evan reflect his growth as a character who seeks to bridge divides and do what is right, even in challenging circumstances.

Brady Griggs begins The Secret Battle of Evan Pao as an antagonist, embodying the prejudice and bullying Evan faces as a newcomer to Haddington. Brady introduces himself to Evan with a racially insensitive comment about the “Chinese virus,” setting the tone for his hostile behavior. He mocks Evan’s heritage and isolates him by emphasizing his inability to participate in activities like the heirloom project and Battlefield Day. Brady’s aggression extends to physical confrontations, such as trying to tackle Evan during flag football and blocking him from using a rope swing. These actions position Brady as a primary obstacle to Evan’s acceptance in the community.

However, Brady’s behavior is deeply rooted in his personal struggles, making him a more complex character than a simple bully. His family carries a legacy of poor choices, and Brady feels trapped by the low expectations others have of him because of his last name. Even when Brady attempts to do the right thing, such as trying to apologize to Evan, people often misinterpret his motives, perpetuating his feelings of inadequacy. His tumultuous home life further compounds his difficulties; his older brother, Charlie, is emotionally abusive, and his father, Randall, is similarly harsh. The novel illustrates this complex relationship when Randall pressures Brady to take responsibility for Charlie’s act of shooting at the Pao household. This toxic environment leaves Brady with few outlets for emotional support. His one solace is helping his father train dogs, an activity that brings him a rare sense of peace and purpose.

Brady’s love for dogs becomes a turning point in his relationship with Evan. When Mochi runs away, Brady uses his knowledge of animal behavior to help Evan find her. This act of kindness allows Evan to see Brady in a new light, fostering a tentative bond between them. While Brady struggles to reconcile his past behavior, this moment shows his capacity for empathy and growth. By the end of the novel, Brady begins to change, attempting to make amends and break free from his family’s legacy. His journey highlights themes of redemption, the weight of family expectations, and the possibility of transformation through understanding and connection.