Olive is an eleven-year-old girl with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI, or brittle bone disease). She uses a wheelchair that she affectionately views as a skateboard with a seat. Homeschooled until the sixth grade, she longs to attend Macklemore Middle School to make friends and prove she is more than her fragile bones. She loves writing, admires birds, and possesses a strong curiosity about the local legends in her Tennessee town.

Hatch is Olive's eleven-year-old stepbrother. He projects the image of a perfect, popular star student, but maintains a distant attitude toward his stepsister. He wears a bleach-freckled blue hoodie every day, frequently rubbing its frayed cuffs, and constantly reads the same comic book about a dog. These rigid habits help him cope with an underlying sensitivity to his environment that he works hard to hide.

A sixth-grade classmate of Olive's who confidently identifies as an entrepreneur. She builds doghouses and seeks out business opportunities rather than conforming to middle school social expectations. She quickly aligns herself with Olive, forming the BlumeBird Society so they can investigate the town's hummingbird legend together.

Olive's mother is a strong, protective woman with a massive heart. She worries deeply about the physical risks of sending Olive to a traditional school, fully aware of how easily her daughter's bones break. Despite her fears, she listens to Olive's desires and supports her push for independence, offering a foundation of unconditional acceptance.

Olive's father and Mama's first husband. He is a sensitive, spiritual man who lives in a yurt situated right behind Mama's cottage. He remains an active, encouraging presence in Olive's life, frequently pushing her to recognize her own boundless potential.

Olive's grandfather and the most famous birder in the state of Tennessee. He shares Olive's deep reverence for birds, teaching her about the natural world and serving as an inspiration for her. His reputation in the birding community gives Olive a sense of pride.

Olive's uncle who lives next door to the family cottage. He is known for experiencing sudden physical flutters that he firmly believes signal approaching changes in the wind and in their lives.

Mama's second husband and Hatch's biological father. He provides a steady, supportive presence in the Piney Woods cottage, blending his life smoothly with Mama's family.

A cheerful sixth-grade teacher at Macklemore Middle School who wears bright yellow sneakers. He encourages his students' individuality, affirms Olive's passion for writing, and openly discusses the town's folklore in class.

A school aide assigned to assist Olive. She is well-meaning but overly strict and cautious, often speaking to Olive as if she were much younger and assuming she cannot complete basic tasks independently.

The theater teacher directing a play about Emily Dickinson. She quickly dismisses Olive's ability to participate on stage, acting as a direct barrier to Olive's theatrical ambitions.

The whimsical librarian at Macklemore Middle School. She has pink-edged hair and wears a fluffy yellow skirt, appearing almost fairy-like as she manages a library that used to serve as a town aviary.

A local churchgoer widely known as the grumpiest man in Wildwood. Despite his gruff reputation, he is a kind man who carries quiet grief over the loss of his brother Marvin during the Vietnam War.

The proprietor of the Ragged Apple Cafe and a successful local business owner. She is a lifelong dancer who found joy in managing her family's apple orchard, proving that people can find fulfillment close to home.

A classmate of Olive's who pays close attention to the world around him. He operates under the belief that the universe leads him to find small objects so he can gift them to people who need them.

One of the three most popular girls in the sixth grade, collectively referred to as the Maddies. She focuses heavily on social status and physical appearances, often making Olive feel insecure through her casual exclusion.

A friendly middle school student who participates in the theater troupe. He acts as a welcoming presence for Olive but is hesitant to join Grace's search for local magic.