What should I do with this extra character?

In my current WIP, my ten year old protagonist is visting his aunt and uncle, and is spending time with his cousins who are 12 and 14.

Although I'm building a good rapport between the main character and his 14 year old cousin, I haven't found anything for the 12 year old to do. In all the scenes I've been working on, it's like the 12 year old is invisible. He never speaks or does anything. Truth is, I can't figure out what to do with him.

I put two kids into this family to make it more of a family-family, but I'm torn about this character. I'm thinking about cutting him out completely, but that would make the familiy smaller. Now the 14 year old wouldn't have a brother.

Is the 12 year old crucial to the story? Not yet, but I planned to put him into jeopardy later on. Just right now, he kind of just stands around, waiting for me to put words into his mouth. If he's not in the scene, he hides in his room waiting for his cue.

Ideas?

underthecity

Thanks for the comments. I need to point out that the story takes place near the end of World War II. This is historical fiction, very immersed in its time and place. Part of the goal of the story is to show modern young readers what it was like to have lived during the war.

So, no rpgs, etc. Radio, though, plays a major part.

Later in the story the 12 year old will be the object of a situation, i.e. he is going to get lost in a huge huge crowd.

However, I'm building a relationship between my main character and his 14 year old cousin. The 12 year old should push himself in the middle of them. I just haven't gotten it all worked out yet. This is my first children's story, after having written three local history books. I'm developing it as a chapter book.

I have a basic outline, but I can easily deviate from it. I know exactly where I'm going with the story, but along the way characters could change or disappear, or their ages could change, who knows.

Zolah, you responded while I was typing the above. The 14 year old is the truly unique character. He is what was called a "hep cat" and his language is sprinkled with hepster lingo. And at 14 years old, in reality he probably would have.

Almost forgot one other thing. After the main character arrives at aunt's and uncle's house, uncle had to take aunt to the hospital because she is having a baby, which will be born about seven hours from then. So the cousins have the extra tension of having a newborn on the way. The main character's mother is in town to help out while all this is going on.

Maybe I should make the 12 year old younger, say about 5 or 6. That would definitely make things more difficult for everyone involved.

Oh, and the kids are definitely not like those in the movie "Overboard." The 14 year old is one responsible hepster.

Thanks again! Wonderful suggestions.

underthecity

It's been a few days since I posted, and I wanted to thank everyone for their comments. This is what I've decided, and all subject to change, of course.

My main character is 10. I'm aging him to 12 so he'll have slightly more sensibility and maturity, and so he'll be closer in age to his 14 year old cousin.

The character I mentioned who is 12 is now 6. He can be the bratty cousin who gets in the way and wants the attention.

And Jamesaritchie, I am going to remember your advice and possibly delete the 6 year old, but will wait until the end to see how he works out. A 6 year old getting lost in a crowd could have more dramatic possibilities than a 12 year old.

Til then, it's writing, rewrites and more rewrites.

Thanks again!

allen