Beverly is a tough, independent fourteen-year-old girl fleeing her home in Florida to escape the empty feeling of recent losses. She lands in Tamaray Beach, secures a job busing tables at Mr. C's fish restaurant, and moves in with an elderly woman. Though she puts up a self-reliant front and frequently tells others to mind their own business, she possesses a sensitive, spiritual core that seeks genuine connection.

Iola is an elderly woman who lives in a trailer park and warmly takes Beverly in after a brief meeting. She struggles with arthritis and occasional "blue spells" of deep sadness but maintains a childlike, open-hearted view of the world. She relies on Beverly to drive her large Pontiac to bingo and the grocery store, offering housing, tuna melts, and maternal care in exchange.

Elmer is a sixteen-year-old employee at the Zoom City convenience store who battles severe acne. Though he earned a full scholarship to Dartmouth and possesses a deep appreciation for art and poetry, he insists he wants to be an engineer. He initially trades sarcastic remarks with Beverly but slowly reveals a thoughtful, realistic outlook shaped by past bullying.

Jerome is an older teenager who dates Freddie and exhibits aggressive, predatory behavior. He has a cartoonishly wolfish appearance with a large nose and hairy shoulders. He represents the cruel side of the world, having a history of brutally tormenting vulnerable peers and engaging in criminal behavior.

Freddie is a blond waitress at Mr. C's fish restaurant who harbors unrealistic dreams of Hollywood stardom. She frequently boasts about her dubious modeling career, including a stint as a "Living Darlene" doll, to cope with her current reality. She acts snobbish toward her coworkers and often tries to shortchange Beverly on tips.

Mr. Denby is the anxious, harried manager of Mr. C's fish restaurant. He lives separated from his wife and three children, who reside in Pennsylvania, and constantly worries about providing for them. He runs his business somewhat haphazardly, paying employees in cash to avoid paperwork, which eventually leads to conflict with his kitchen staff.

Doris is the assertive, highly capable cook at Mr. C's who rules her kitchen like a queen. She has a large family with five children and sixteen grandchildren, giving her a no-nonsense attitude. Despite claiming that nobody watches out for anyone in the world, she actively protects Beverly and demands better working conditions.

Charles is the quiet dishwasher at Mr. C's who was once a star college football player. A torn tendon ended his athletic career and altered the trajectory of his life, landing him in Tamaray Beach. He works steadily alongside Doris and supports her efforts to improve their workplace.

Mrs. Deely is a local woman who spends her time near the convenience store handing out frightening religious cartoons. She believes she is delivering divine truth to the public, though her methods—which involve graphic drawings of snakes and fire—often unsettle the children and parents she approaches.

Raymie is Beverly's best friend back in her Florida hometown. Though she does not appear physically for most of the narrative, her memory serves as an emotional anchor for Beverly. The two girls share a history of confronting absences together, including the burial of Beverly's dog and the sudden disappearance of a mutual friend.

Louisiana is a friend of Beverly and Raymie who suddenly vanished with her grandmother before the events of the current story. Her abrupt departure left a profound, intangible emptiness in Beverly's life, contributing to Beverly's fear of forming new connections and her decision to leave home.

Rhonda is Beverly's mother, who remains in their Florida hometown. She battles alcoholism and has a history of dating predatory men, creating an unstable and emotionally barren home life for her daughter. Despite their difficult dynamic, she answers Beverly's phone calls, though she shows little ability to provide maternal comfort.

Buddy was Beverly's cherished dog whose recent death serves as the catalyst for her leaving home. He was dubbed "the Dog of Our Hearts" by Louisiana, and his absence leaves a void that Beverly attempts to escape by moving to Tamaray Beach. He frequently appears in Beverly's thoughts and dreams.

Joe is Beverly's nineteen-year-old cousin who provides her transportation to Tamaray Beach. He listens to loud rock music, offers his younger cousin cigarettes, and views Beverly and her mother as overly haughty. He serves as Beverly's abrasive ticket out of her hometown.

Tommy Junior is Iola's adult son who intensely disapproves of her living arrangements and decisions. He previously forced his mother to sign a contract forbidding her from driving, and he views Beverly with deep suspicion, viewing her as a potential grifter taking advantage of an elderly woman.

Maureen is Iola's neighbor at the Seahorse Court trailer park. She occasionally helps Iola with errands but holds highly judgmental views, believing games like bingo are sinful. She frequently threatens to report Iola's unconventional actions to her son and views Beverly as con-artist trash.

Mr. Larksong is an elderly man battling lung cancer who frequents the convenience store where Elmer works. He acts as a quiet observer of the youth around him, recognizing Elmer's artistic potential and sharing his appreciation for classic art by introducing Beverly to a famous painting.

Robbie is a young boy, around six or seven years old, who encounters Beverly at the beach. He is intimidated by his mother but boldly demands Beverly move so he can play in her spot. Beverly helps him build a sandcastle, creating a brief, meaningful connection before his mother pulls him away.

Nod is Iola's large gray cat who shares her trailer. Known for generally disliking humans, he surprisingly takes an immediate liking to Beverly, offering her physical comfort by sleeping on her head. His presence helps fulfill Beverly's unspoken need for connection following the loss of her dog.