Joseph “Joe” Stoshack is the 12-year-old protagonist of Honus & Me. He undergoes growth and self-discovery over the course of the novel. At the beginning of the novel, he is hoping that material gain, in the form of proceeds from the Honus card, will mend his family. His parents’ separation has left an impact on him. His family struggles financially, and Joe takes on odd jobs to help: “Money was always a problem. When I was a little kid my folks used to argue a lot about it. Dad always seemed to have a tough time landing a job” (13). Joe believes these financial troubles caused his parents’ split, and he hopes that selling the Honus Wagner card will reunite them. This reveals Joe’s desire for stability and a sense of normalcy in his life. 

Joe also learns The Importance of Honesty and Integrity as he grapples with the moral dilemma of whether to sell the Honus Wagner card for financial gain or return it to its rightful owner. Ultimately, he chooses to return the card to Miss Young, demonstrating his growth and commitment to ethical values. This decision marks a turning point in Joe’s character development.