Finally

Rory is the protagonist and narrator of 12 Finally. The novel begins on the day before her 12th birthday and follows her for a few weeks afterward as she works through a list of previously-forbidden privileges. Rory’s narrative voice is open, humorous, and informal, conveying her excitement over turning 12 and her determination to enjoy the milestones of maturity despite a series of ridiculous mishaps.

Rory has brown hair, green eyes, and glasses that she thinks are unattractive. Although she is not interested in hair, makeup, and clothing in the ways that some of her friends are, she is often insecure about her appearance and imagines that wearing makeup and fancier clothing will make her more attractive to others. Many of the items on her list center her appearance, like being allowed to wear makeup and getting contact lenses.

Rory worries about fading into the background. She calls herself a “chameleon” (5) and explains that she “[doesn’t] make much of an impression on people” (288). This often bothers her, but her instinctive consideration for others prevents her from deliberately showing off or drawing attention to herself. Rory is a dynamic character: After being in the spotlight because of series of comical mishaps—a swollen face, a swollen ear, gashes on her legs, and an eye injury—she realizes that she actually does not mind being in the background.