Juli is a spirited eighth-grader living in Mayfield. She develops an immediate, intense crush on Bryce Loski the day he moves in across the street. She embraces life with enthusiasm, spending her time raising backyard chickens and climbing a massive sycamore tree. She values hard work and connection, though her intense affection for Bryce blinds her to his discomfort.

Bryce is a mild-mannered eighth-grader who prefers to avoid conflict at all costs. Moving across the street from the Bakers subjects him to years of unwanted attention from Juli, whom he views as an annoying nuisance. He relies on a strategy of mentally "diving under" to passively ignore problems, whether they involve family arguments or Juli's advances. He cares deeply about his social standing and feels easily embarrassed by unusual behavior.

Granddad Duncan is Bryce's maternal grandfather. He initially appears quiet and somber, spending much of his time staring out the window of his new bedroom. He possesses a sharp eye for character, noticing qualities in people that his family ignores. He values hard work and strong convictions, making him critical of superficiality.

Mr. Loski is Bryce's father, an office worker who values appearances and social norms. He holds a strong disdain for the Baker family, frequently criticizing their unkempt property and unconventional lifestyle. He expects his son to face problems head-on but models avoidance and superficial judgment himself.

Mr. Baker is Juli's father, a hard-working mason who spends his free time painting outdoors. He encourages his daughter to think deeply about the world, teaching her that a painting is more than the sum of its parts. He prioritizes family loyalty and care over material wealth, willingly sacrificing financial comfort to support his relatives.

Mrs. Loski is Bryce's mother, who strives to maintain a pleasant and orderly household. She often acts as a mediator between her argumentative husband and teenage daughter. She worries about practical matters like hygiene and social graces, which leads her to view the Bakers' messy yard with apprehension.

Mrs. Baker is Juli's mother, managing a chaotic home filled with teenagers, pets, and backyard chickens. She handles the practical strains of her family's financial sacrifices with pragmatism. She remains protective of her children while allowing them room to explore their interests.

Lynetta is Bryce's older sister. She frequently spars with her parents and enjoys listening to loud music with her friends. She finds Bryce's aversion to Juli amusing and occasionally goes out of her way to antagonize him. She rebels against her father's strict expectations.

Matt is one of Juli's older brothers. He shares a bedroom with Mike and plays in a band called Mystery Pisser. He focuses heavily on his music, preferring to spend his time and money recording demo tracks rather than preparing for conventional college plans.

Mike is Juli's other older brother. He forms the other half of the musical duo with Matt. He enjoys pushing boundaries, such as keeping a pet boa constrictor that eats raw eggs. He remains polite but firm when questioned by adults about his future.

Shelly is a classmate of Bryce and Juli. She possesses thick hair and a dramatic personality. In fifth grade, she eagerly accepts Bryce's sudden attention, leading to a physical altercation when Juli decides to intervene. She continues to seek attention in middle school social events.

Garrett is Bryce's friend at school. He shares Bryce's concern with social status and often makes insensitive jokes. He represents the peer pressure Bryce feels to conform and distance himself from anyone deemed weird or different.

David is Mr. Baker's brother. He lives in a specialized care facility due to an intellectual disability present since birth. He loves assembling large jigsaw puzzles and enjoys his birthday visits, though unexpected disruptions easily overwhelm him.

Jon is an eighth-grade classmate of Bryce and Juli. He is considered kind and approachable, lacking the arrogant edge of some other boys. He willingly participates in school events and appreciates genuine conversation.

Mrs. Stueby is a neighbor of the Bakers. She appreciates fresh produce and regularly buys eggs from Juli's backyard chickens. She is friendly, observant of neighborhood improvements, and reliable with her payments.

Darla is Juli's friend and classmate. She closely monitors middle school social dynamics and tries to convince Juli that Bryce harbors secret feelings for her.

Miranda is an eighth-grade girl at Mayfield Junior High. She teams up with Shelly Stalls to bid on boys during school fundraisers, enjoying the drama of middle school social events.

Skylar is a teenager in the neighborhood. He provides a practice space for Matt and Mike's band and serves as a social connection for Lynetta.

Champ is the Bakers' family dog. Mr. Baker rescued him from an intersection when Juli was six. He has a habit of marking furniture indoors, which relegates him to the backyard and inspires the name of the boys' band.