Kek is a young refugee from Sudan who arrives in Minnesota to live with his aunt and cousin. Having survived a violent attack that killed his father and brother, he holds onto the belief that his separated mother is still alive. He faces his unfamiliar, snow-filled environment with optimism and a strong desire to learn English. He quickly takes a job caring for an old cow to earn money for his family.

Ganwar is Kek's older cousin who survived the attack on their camp but lost his left hand in the violence. Unlike Kek, Ganwar struggles to adjust to life in the United States and resents his cousin's relentless positivity. He isolates himself in his mother's apartment, nursing his physical and emotional wounds while resisting attempts to find a job or integrate into American society. He later begins to find purpose by helping Kek at the farm.

Hannah is a young girl living with a foster family in Kek's apartment complex. Because her mother is in a substance abuse rehabilitation program, Hannah understands the feeling of missing a parent and feeling out of place. She befriends Kek on his first day in Minnesota. She teaches him about American culture, rides the bus with him, and helps him secure his job at the farm.

Kek's Mother is a constant presence in Kek's memories and dreams. She was separated from her son during the violent attack on their camp in Sudan. Kek carries a piece of her blue and yellow dress in his pocket as a physical reminder of her love and his hope that she is still alive.

Nyatal is Kek's aunt and Ganwar's mother. She works night shifts at a nursing home to provide for her household because living in America is expensive. Bearing her own emotional scars from losing her husband and daughters in the attack, she often reacts to Kek's hopeful outlook with gentle pity. She tries her best to create a stable home while dealing with the isolation of living in a foreign country.

Dave is an employee of the Refugee Resettlement Center who picks Kek up from the airport and guides him through his first few days in Minnesota. Dave is a practical and supportive figure who buys Kek winter clothes and helps him enroll in school. He gently tries to manage the boy's expectations regarding the search for his missing mother.

Gol is an elderly cow living on a rundown farm near Kek's new home. For Kek, she represents a living connection to his past in Sudan, where cattle are highly valued. Her name means "family" in Kek's native language, and she serves as a calming presence for both Kek and Ganwar.

Louise (Lou) is an older widow who owns a rundown farm. She struggles to maintain the property following the death of her husband, an immigrant from Norway. Charmed by Kek's enthusiasm and knowledge of cattle, she hires him to care for her cow. She treats the boys with kindness and respect.

Ms. Hernandez is Kek's English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher. Having immigrated from Mexico herself, she understands the overwhelming nature of adjusting to American life. She serves as a supportive mentor for Kek and his diverse classmates, creating a welcoming environment in her classroom.

Mr. Franklin is the assistant teacher in Kek's ESL class. He has an easygoing sense of humor and actively encourages the students. He gives Kek the nickname "Cowboy" after learning about the boy's job caring for a cow.

Dak is Kek's deceased father. He was a respected nomadic herdsman who owned many cattle. He was a masterful storyteller who made up songs for his sons before being killed in the attack on their village.

Lual is Kek's deceased older brother and Ganwar's best friend. He acted as a strict second father figure to Kek but retained a playful spirit. He died in the same attack that killed his father.

Nishan is an Ethiopian student in Kek's ESL class. She bonds with Kek over school lunches and shares a mutual understanding of the difficulties involved in leaving a home country.

Jaime is a student from Guatemala in Kek's ESL class. He joins Kek, Hannah, and Nishan for lunch in the cafeteria and relates to the shared struggles of adapting to a new culture.

Diane works at the Refugee Resettlement Center. She manages the search for Kek's mother across various African refugee camps and delivers updates about the difficult tracking process.