Ellen is an 11-year-old white girl living in the American South who survives severe neglect and abuse. She possesses a pragmatic exterior that masks a deep hunger for affection and stability. She is highly resourceful, taking charge of household bills and her own care, and she enjoys reading classic literature and viewing slides through her plastic microscope.

Daddy is an emotionally abusive military veteran who suffers from severe alcohol addiction. He refuses to tend to his farm or care for his family, instead demanding constant service from his wife and daughter. His behavior is highly volatile, marked by intense cruelty and deep negligence.

New Mama is a foster mother who takes in distressed girls and provides a structured, supportive home. She maintains a tidy house, cooks meals from scratch, and organizes communal activities like making terrariums. Her calm and generous demeanor creates the stability Ellen desperately seeks.

Mama's Mama is Ellen's wealthy, bitter maternal grandmother who employs Black farm workers and domestic help. She uses her financial resources to control her family and punish those she dislikes. Her grief over her daughter's struggles fuels a vindictive resentment toward Ellen's father and, by extension, Ellen.

Starletta is a young Black girl who lives near Ellen's childhood home in a single-room house without modern plumbing. She struggles with a stutter but demonstrates quiet loyalty to her friend. Her family's warm dynamics provide Ellen with a sharp contrast to her own volatile household.

Ellen's Mama is a physically frail woman trapped in an abusive marriage. She suffers from a weak heart and requires frequent medical care. Her illness and exhaustion leave her unable to protect herself or her daughter from her husband's intense demands.

Julia is a former "hippie" who works as the art teacher at Ellen's school. She moved South from the Northeast with her husband to raise a family and maintain an organic garden. She provides a temporary, peaceful refuge for Ellen, introducing her to a vastly different way of living.

Aunt Nadine is Ellen's maternal aunt, a woman who prides herself on sophistication and wealth. She demonstrates food slicers in people's homes and heavily coddles her daughter. She views familial obligations as a burden rather than a source of compassion.

Aunt Betsy is a recently widowed maternal aunt who lives in a neighboring town. She enjoys shopping and reading magazines but lacks any genuine maternal instinct. She treats Ellen's plea for refuge as a temporary weekend amusement rather than a serious commitment.

Dora is Nadine's daughter and Ellen's cousin. Raised in a highly sheltered environment, she believes in Santa Claus and reads romance novels. She regularly disparages others and demands constant attention from her mother.

Mavis is a Black overseer who has worked on the grandmother's farm for many years. She remembers Ellen's mother fondly and takes the young girl under her wing during the summer heat. She provides a rare source of validation and basic kindness in a highly hostile environment.

Roy is Julia's husband, a man who bakes cakes and tends to an organic garden. His willingness to share domestic chores astonishes Ellen, who is accustomed to men demanding constant service.

Starletta's Mama is a hardworking woman who creates handmade quilts and works in the cotton fields. She maintains a playful, loving relationship with her husband and readily shares her limited resources with Ellen.

Starletta's Daddy is an agricultural worker and the only Black man in town who refuses to buy liquor from Ellen's father. He actively protects Ellen by offering rides and an open invitation to their home when her father is dangerous.

Rudolph is Ellen's paternal uncle who handles the administrative tasks of the family farm. He regularly delivers cash envelopes to the mailbox after the property is sold.

Ellis is Ellen's paternal uncle who takes ownership of the family property after his brother proves incapable of running it.

Stella is a seventh-grade girl living in the foster home. She is a young mother who balances attending middle school with caring for her infant son.

Roger is Stella's infant son who lives in the foster home. He frequently explores the house and requires communal supervision from the older girls.

Jo Jo is one of the girls living in the foster home. She dedicates her time to dance practice and participates in the household's communal cooking sessions.

Francis is a resident of the foster home who contributes to the domestic duties of meal preparation alongside the other girls.