Sadeed is a serious, studious sixth-grade boy living in the village of Bahar-Lan, Afghanistan. He is academically gifted, reads extensively in English, and works in his father's wheat shop at the local bazaar. He dreams of winning a scholarship to a better school in Kabul to further his education. When tasked with helping his younger sister draft replies to an American pen pal, his initial resentment shifts into genuine curiosity about a life drastically different from his own.

Abby is an athletic sixth grader living on a 67-acre family farm in Linsdale, Illinois. She possesses a deep passion for outdoor survivalism and rock climbing. Because she finds schoolwork boring and struggles academically, she faces the threat of being held back a grade. To pass, she reluctantly agrees to complete an extra credit project involving an international correspondence.

Amira is Sadeed's younger sister and a fourth-grade student in Bahar-Lan. She struggles with English translation, forcing her to dictate her thoughts to her older brother. She eagerly participates in the pen pal project and enjoys the sudden attention it brings her from classmates.

Mr. Jafari is the teacher at the one-room schoolhouse in Bahar-Lan. He holds progressive views on education and encourages his students by lending them English books outside the approved curriculum. He manages village politics carefully by persuading traditional leaders to allow the pen pal exchange out of cultural courtesy.

Mrs. Beckland is a language arts and social studies teacher at Baldridge Elementary in Illinois. Recognizing Abby's potential to fail the grade, she provides the extra credit assignment that initiates the cross-cultural exchange. She is supportive of her students' learning and manages the classroom displays.

Akbar Khan is a village elder in the rural community of Bahar-Lan. He holds authority over local decisions and initially voices reluctance about permitting local students to communicate with an American. He eventually agrees to let Amira act as the writer.

Mrs. Carmody is the school counselor at Baldridge Elementary. She delivers the difficult news regarding Abby's academic standing, triggering Abby's renewed focus on her daily homework and special projects.

Mrs. Cooper is the math and science teacher at Baldridge Elementary. She collaborates with the language arts department to establish a clear plan for Abby to improve her daily grades.

Mariah is a fellow sixth-grade student at Baldridge Elementary. She is a supportive peer who encourages Abby when the young climber feels embarrassed about her academic struggles being visible on the project board.