Astrid’s best friend is Denise Brown.  This despite the fact that Denise is never really all that impressed with Astrid’s “mad science.”  Denise has an older brother named Dennis, who is a senior, head of the debating team, football quarterback, and overall star of the whole high school.  She and Dennis have two dads.  Dad number one is Dennis Brown Sr., head model-maker at Maxxim Industries.  Dad number two is Jeffrey Richards, who owns and operates the Maxxim City Malt Shop.