A twelve-year-old multiracial girl living in Merryville, Georgia. Diagnosed with ADHD, she processes sensory details differently and sometimes struggles to focus, though she can concentrate intensely on mechanical tasks like fixing an Easy-Bake Oven or a broken microfilm machine. She cares deeply about community justice and initiates local activism regarding immigration and school redistricting.

A sixth-grade student at Merryville Middle School who has been friends with Emilia since kindergarten. She plays the mellophone in the pep band and enjoys planning parties for older students. Following the death of her military father when she was in the first grade, she developed a protective but controlling dynamic with Emilia, preferring their social circle to remain unchanged.

An imaginative middle school student who loves horror movies and dreams of making films. Born in Alabama to Hispanic parents, he lives in the Park View neighborhood and frequently spends time with Emilia, helping her manage sensory-heavy environments. He uses movies to understand the world and often collaborates with Emilia on creative projects.

Emilia's Cuban grandmother who runs Toni's Auto Repair, the only auto-body shop in Merryville. After immigrating to the US and losing her husband when her son was young, she worked tirelessly to build a secure life. She frequently pushes Emilia to conform to traditional expectations of a "young lady," which causes friction over cultural expressions and behavior.

An active-duty Marine and Emilia's father, returning to Merryville from an overseas deployment. He struggles to adjust to civilian life, reacting poorly to loud noises and surprises while maintaining strict routines. He attempts to reconnect with his daughter by working together to restore a vintage Shelby Mustang in the family's auto shop.

Emilia's mother, a technology developer traveling to San Francisco to present a translation app she created. She acts as a guiding force for Emilia, offering patience and advice on how to handle her ADHD and social challenges. She strongly encourages her daughter to recognize injustice and speak up against it.

The owner of Don Carlos's Grocery Latino, a vital hub where Abuela purchases specific ingredients. Having moved from Venezuela to Georgia in the 1990s, he helped build the Centennial Olympic Stadium, making his personal history a focal point of Emilia's social studies project.

A Merryville Middle School teacher who coaches junior-varsity sports and assigns his students a non-internet research project. He encourages critical thinking and pushes his students to explore the historical and social complexities of their community.

The local librarian who introduces Emilia to the microfilm machine. She provides essential assistance as Emilia investigates historical immigration policies, effectively serving as Emilia's primary information source when the internet is forbidden for her project.

Gus's father and a mechanic at Abuela's auto shop. He supports his family by working on cars, having given up college when his parents fell ill. He shares a close bond with his son and tries to maintain a peaceful environment around the shop.

Clarissa's mother, who worries heavily about the proposed school redistricting. She struggles to find work because she does not speak Spanish and considers Merryville one of the few towns remaining isolated from the outside world.

A friend of Gus who struggles with testing and grades, leading Emilia to suspect he might be neurodivergent as a result. He creates a tourism guide focused on local trees and insects in the Merryville area.

Clarissa's closest friend at Merryville Middle School. She plans her tourism guide around the local movie theater. She supports Clarissa in social situations.

The school counselor at Merryville Middle School who helps monitor Emilia's academic and emotional progress. She checks in on students who may require extra attention or accommodations.

A high school senior who works in Abuela's auto body shop. He participates in Gus and Emilia's video, expressing a desire for the town to embrace its diverse community.

Agustín's sister and a high school student in the Park View neighborhood. She expresses mixed feelings about redistricting, prioritizing educational choices and the relationships she has built at her current school.

A grandfather who watches his two granddaughters during the day. He supports school redistricting because it will shorten the distance his granddaughters must travel for their education.

Jay's grandfather, whose family owns the Renters' Lumber Supply stores. He represents an older, somewhat entitled element of Merryville's population and requests that Gus wash his window.

A student at Merryville Middle School whose family owns a local lumber supply business. He focuses his tourism project on the town's historic high school football championship.

A student at Merryville Middle School who hangs out with Gus and Barry. He chooses to research head injuries in football for his school project after Emilia shifts the class's focus toward serious topics.

A student who lives near Park View and plays basketball for Mr. Richt. Inspired by Emilia's presentation, he changes his tourism project to focus on Merryville during the Civil Rights Movement.

The butcher at Don Carlos's grocery store. He provides Emilia with meat to take home to her grandmother.

The principal of Merryville Middle School. She dislikes the commotion caused by the tourism guide projects and pressures Mr. Richt to cancel the assignment.

Emilia's math teacher. She shows understanding regarding Emilia's academic struggles, allowing her to retake a test after she receives a poor grade.

Barry's father, who makes excellent barbeque and is attempting to secure a loan to open his own restaurant. He warmly invites Toni to a cookout at a town festival.

The school bus driver for Merryville Middle School. She expresses excitement about the potential redistricting changes in town.

Gus's younger sister. Her need for supervision occasionally prevents her father from providing transportation for Gus.