Julian is an imaginative young Cuban boy, around nine years old, who struggles to step out of his older brothers' shadows. He holds a deep desire to be treated like an adult and views himself as a potential hero, though he frequently battles feelings of fear and inadequacy. When political turmoil forces his parents to send him to a refugee camp in Miami, Julian uses his drawing skills and quick thinking to survive the harsh conditions.

Alquilino is the eldest of the three brothers. He carefully evaluates consequences before taking action and frequently takes charge of planning their activities. At the refugee camp, he attempts to act as a peacemaker and protector, though he sometimes fails to take Julian seriously because of the age difference between them.

Eduardo, known as Gordo, is the blunt and aggressive middle brother of the family. He reacts to conflict with immediate hostility and prioritizes pride, which frequently lands the boys in trouble with authority figures in both Cuba and Miami. Despite his quick temper, he fiercely protects his family.

Formerly a schoolmate in Havana named Romeo, Caballo acts as the ruthless enforcer at the Miami refugee camp. He uses his physical size and the authority granted by the camp director to bully the other children. He demands total submission from the camp residents and punishes anyone who challenges his power.

A confident girl from Havana who ends up at Camp Kendal after a seating error prevents her from flying with her parents. She possesses a pragmatic view of survival and helps Julian navigate the harsh realities of the camp. She refuses to treat Julian like a child, making her one of his most trusted confidantes.

A family friend who cooks for Julian's family in Havana and previously drove a truck for Julian's father. Bebo treats Julian with the respect of an adult and explains complex political events using simple, honest metaphors. He possesses a talent for inventing fixes for mechanical problems.

A proud, observant woman who insists her sons witness the revolution unfolding in their streets. She trades her expensive belongings on the black market to feed her family and makes the difficult choice to send her sons to America alone to protect them from government camps.

Julian's father, an architect in Havana who enjoys taking his family out on the water. As the political situation in Cuba deteriorates, he recognizes the danger closing in on his family and supports the plan to send his sons away through Operation Pedro Pan.

A government official who moves into a vacated house across the street from Julian's family. She functions as a neighborhood spy, strictly enforcing the new regime's laws and threatening to send children to reeducation camps.

A member of the government's youth brigade in Havana. He shadows the neighborhood boys in an attempt to catch them breaking the law and report them to his mother.

Angelita's younger brother. After their parents' flight plans fail, Pepe travels to Miami and is placed in Camp Kendal, where he participates in the daily labor alongside his sister and the other boys.

The mother of Angelita and Pepe. She decides to flee Cuba with her family early in the revolution, inadvertently setting off a chain of events when she accidentally leaves town with borrowed jewelry.

A large American woman who cooks at Camp Kendal. She speaks in thick, broken Southern English and believes in teaching the Cuban children about equality and hard work. She covertly guides Julian toward organizing a democratic rebellion against the camp bully.

The administrative head of Camp Kendal. Overwhelmed by the number of refugee children, he ignores the bullying taking place in the camp and instead relies on Caballo to maintain order by any means necessary.

A spirited girl at Camp Kendal who refuses to accept the camp's oppressive hierarchy. She joins forces with Julian and Angelita to plan organized, democratic resistance against Caballo.

A boy at Camp Kendal nicknamed "La Balla" because he moves quickly like a bullet. He uses his speed to help execute pranks against Caballo in the dining hall.

One of the camp boys who joins the democratic resistance group to fight back against Caballo's bullying. He helps collect money and plan pranks.

A camp resident who actively participates in the pranks designed to humiliate Caballo. He helps orchestrate the cafeteria revolution by turning on the fan at a critical moment.

A resourceful Cuban refugee living on a cluttered boat in Miami. He works constantly to earn money to repair his vessel, selling homemade drinks called "Tomas-ade." He plans a dangerous return trip to Havana to rescue his parents and respects Julian's mechanical abilities.

A mechanic who supplies Tomas with parts for his boat engine. Julian instinctively distrusts him, noting that his smile resembles a wolf's and that he pays too much attention to Tomas's valuable equipment.

A Cuban refugee working at a Miami hotel while studying English from a dictionary. He hopes to regain the success he had in Cuba and aids Tomas by sending messages and collecting money for the rescue mission.

A former medical doctor from Cuba who works as a dishwasher in Miami during the day and attends school at night to validate his license. He left his country early to secure a safe life for his children and generously supports Tomas's rescue plans.

A young woman living in a Miami foster home where she feels exploited for the foster stipend. She makes extra money by selling hats and drawing on the sidewalk, offering Julian advice on avoiding local law enforcement.

A local Miami police officer who monitors the streets for runaway children from the refugee camps. He frequently attempts to catch Julian and return him to the system.

The Greek immigrant owner of the Pirate Angel's restaurant. Drawing on his own experiences as an immigrant, he offers financial assistance for Tomas's journey to Havana.

A curious girl at Julian's new school in Connecticut. She takes an interest in his background and steps in to defend him when he faces local bullies.

A bully at Julian's school in Connecticut who targets him for looking different. He backs down when Julian takes a peaceful approach to their conflict.