Nick is a thirteen-year-old eighth-grader and soccer aficionado who struggles to meet his parents' high expectations while processing their recent marital issues. He possesses an exceptional vocabulary, though he hides this talent and actively resists his father's demands to read a thick dictionary. Instead, he prefers focusing on sports, gaming, and figuring out how to talk to his crush.

Nick's mother is a funny, compassionate parent who shares her son's competitive spirit. A dedicated horse lover and trainer, she receives an offer for a prestigious job in Kentucky caring for racehorses. Her career opportunity prompts a major transition for the family, altering her daily presence in Nick's life.

Nick's father is a strict linguistics professor who suffers from "verbomania," a crazed obsession with words. He authored a dictionary called *Weird and Wonderful Words* and pressures his son to study it constantly to ensure his academic success. His demanding nature and high expectations create frequent friction in the household.

Coby is Nick's best friend and a fiercely dedicated soccer player who competes for a rival club team. He is of Singaporean and Ghanaian descent. Unlike Nick, Coby is quick to stand his ground and fight back when provoked by bullies in the school cafeteria or on the field.

The Eggleston twins are intimidating, mean-spirited eighth-grade bullies. Known for their cruelty and aggression, they frequently target Nick and Coby, instigating physical and verbal conflicts that challenge the boys' courage in the cafeteria and beyond.

Mr. MacDonald is the lively, seven-foot-tall librarian at Langston Hughes Middle School of the Arts. A former Grammy-winning rap producer, "The Mac" wears reading-themed t-shirts and cracks corny jokes. He is highly observant and takes a special interest in encouraging Nick to read for pleasure rather than punishment.

April is Nick's classmate and the object of his intense crush, a feeling he privately dubs "limerence." She is an avid reader who actively participates in the Nerds and Words book club. She projects confidence and takes the initiative during their shared classes and social interactions.

Ms. Hardwick is Nick's strict Honors English teacher, whom he initially finds extremely boring. She frequently assigns him extra work, such as finding malapropisms, when she catches him failing to pay attention. Despite his initial resentment toward her assignments, she closely observes his writing talents.

Dr. Fraud is the nickname Nick gives to the psychologist his parents hire. He has a long black-and-white beard and constantly chews on a red pencil. He asks probing questions to help Nick process the stress of his family's sudden structural changes.

Winnifred is a classmate of Nick's who acts as the teacher's pet in Ms. Hardwick's English class. She enthusiastically participates in the Nerds and Words book club and is quick to show off her extensive knowledge, leading Nick to view her as an irritating presence.

Pernell is the co-captain of Nick's club soccer team. He is highly competitive but crosses the line by directing racial insults at opponents. His aggressive behavior puts Nick in the uncomfortable position of watching a teammate mistreat his best friend.

Miss Quattlebaum runs the local School of Ballroom Dance & Etiquette. She instructs middle schoolers in formal dancing, providing an awkward but structured environment for students to practice their social skills with one another.