The main character is a young soldier. But without having the book right in front of me, I can't recall his name specifically. There are likely also other soldiers and perhaps some military officers that play important roles in the story.
The main theme is often about the psychological and emotional impact of war on a young soldier. It shows how the experiences in the military, such as combat and the harsh military life, can change a person deeply.
I'm not sure as I haven't read the novel specifically. But it could be the soldier himself, his comrades, and maybe his family members.
In Gary Paulsen's 'Storm', the main characters are likely to be those who are directly affected by the storm. It could be a protagonist, perhaps a young adventurer who is out in the wilderness when the storm hits. There might also be other supporting characters like an old hermit who has knowledge of the area and can help the main character. Another possible character could be a family member of the protagonist who is worried about them during the storm and is part of the story's emotional core. Without reading the book in full detail again, it's hard to be completely certain about all the main characters.
There are mainly two key characters in this story. The son, who is observant and wants to know more about his father. And the father, a war - scarred man dealing with the after - effects of his military experiences. The story unfolds as the son tries to bridge the gap between them caused by the father's PTSD.
Perhaps there is an older mentor figure along with a young and inexperienced character. The older one could be guiding the younger through the events related to the glow in the dark. Maybe the younger character is initially afraid but learns to be brave with the help of the mentor, and together they form the main characters of the story.
Often, there are young protagonists. They are usually boys who are curious and brave. For example, in some stories, there's a young boy who goes on a solo adventure in the woods. There are also some adult characters who play the role of mentors or antagonists, depending on the story.
The main theme is likely about the experiences of a soldier, perhaps including the psychological and emotional impacts of war on the soldier.
I'm not sure specifically as I haven't read this exact short story. But typically in Paulsen's stories, his main characters are often young boys or girls who are in a situation that forces them to grow and learn. It could be a child who stumbles upon the 'glow in the dark' object or phenomenon and has to figure out what to do with it.
In 'For a Lost Soldier' novel, perhaps there is a young boy or girl who forms a connection with the soldier. This character could bring out different sides of the soldier's personality. And of course, there may be other soldiers or military personnel who play important roles in the story, either as comrades or antagonists to the main soldier character.
In 'the winter soldier novel', the most prominent character is the Winter Soldier. However, other important characters may include those who are trying to help him break free from Hydra's control. There could be some fellow soldiers or agents who discover his true nature and decide to assist him. Also, antagonists within Hydra who will do anything to keep him under their control are likely to be part of the main characters in the story.