Through her disappearance, Barbara is the focus of the novel. She is a young teen who is neglected and overlooked by her parents, Peter and Alice. Their negative and misguided impression of Barbara is the first version of her presented in the novel; they believe that she is a rebellious teen who is careless and ungrateful. In reality, she intentionally adopts a punk aesthetic to displease her parents and to reject The Corruptive Influence of Wealth and Class. They therefore regard her as being out of control and in need of strict discipline that only a military-style school can provide.

At Camp Emerson, other campers stand in awe of Barbara because her position as the daughter of the Van Laars infuses her with a measure of prestige. Most campers admire her from afar rather than befriending her, but she does develop a connection with her bunkmate Tracy. Their conversations illustrate that Barbara is down-to-earth, respectful, and confident in who she is. She enjoys punk music even though it earns her the labels of “different” and “strange.” As the summer unfolds, other campers witness Barbara’s many strengths. She possesses impressive outdoor skills (which TJ has taught her), and she grows confident in her capabilities and demonstrates leadership skills.