Hazel is an 11-year-old fifth-grader living in Minneapolis. Adopted from India, she feels intensely out of place at Lovelace Elementary following her parents' recent divorce. She relies on fantasy books and a rich imagination to manage her feelings of isolation. Her tendency to daydream sometimes distracts her from real-world responsibilities, creating friction with her busy mother.

Jack is a creative 11-year-old boy who loves baseball and comic books. He frequently invents complex superhero games to play during recess. At home, he struggles quietly with his mother's severe depression, using his sketches of supervillains and hidden fortresses to process his feelings of invisibility and sadness.

This mysterious figure is composed of ice and snow, traveling between worlds in a white sleigh. She targets children who are hurting, offering them a chance to escape their painful realities. By freezing their hearts, she strips away their difficult emotions, leaving them calm but entirely hollow.

Ms. Anderson is a hardworking single mother managing tight finances and night classes. The recent divorce places her under intense stress, leading her to demand more maturity from her daydreaming daughter. Despite her strict exterior, she works tirelessly to provide stability for her family.

Martin is Adelaide's uncle and a working screenwriter. He possesses a vibrant imagination and serves as a rare adult who encourages children to invent stories. He advises Hazel that love and goodness can cure sudden, strange changes in people.

Mrs. Campbell suffers from a severe depressive illness that leaves her emotionally absent from her family. Her condition deeply impacts her son's daily life, creating a quiet, gloomy atmosphere in their house.

Mr. Campbell is Jack's father. He manages the immediate, practical emergencies for his son but struggles to address the underlying emotional pain affecting his household.

Tyler is a fifth-grade student who frequently bullies Hazel. He views Hazel as an obstacle to spending more time with Jack, pushing for the boys to stick together. His aggressive behavior masks his own insecurities.

Bobby is a fifth-grade student at Lovelace Elementary. He follows Tyler's lead in bullying Hazel and pressuring Jack to join their group.

Adelaide is a former schoolmate of Hazel who lives in an affluent lakeside home. She dreams of performing ballets and shares a mutual love for inventing magical stories.

Mrs. Jacobs is a strict fifth-grade teacher at Lovelace Elementary. She represents the rigid, rule-bound environment that Hazel struggles to adapt to following her school transfer.

Mr. Lewis is the school counselor. He attempts to evaluate Hazel's academic and emotional challenges using clinical notes and referrals, which only makes her feel more flawed and isolated.

Ben is a teenage runaway from New Jersey who survives in the magical woods. He carries a gun to protect his sister and serves as a cautious guide, warning travelers about the deceptive nature of the forest.

Alice is Ben's sister. She entered the magical woods to escape an abusive father and fell victim to the deceptive magic hidden among the trees.

Lucas is a man living in a secluded cottage in the magical woods. He projects a gentle, fatherly demeanor, rescuing weary travelers and offering them a seemingly perfect home environment.

Nina is Lucas's wife. She exudes a warm, maternal aura, seeking to protect young girls from real-world suffering by keeping them sheltered in her carefully curated garden.

Mikaela is a friendly student at Lovelace Elementary. She tries to offer Hazel companionship and advice on ignoring the bullies, though her overtures are initially rebuffed.

This emaciated girl is trapped in the magical winter, unable to return home until she sells her wares. She survives the freezing temperatures by seeking comfort in the brief, beautiful visions produced by her matches.

Mal is a goblin-like demonic figure. He invents an enchanted mirror designed to twist reality, making beautiful things look ugly and magnifying existing flaws.