Zomorod is an 11-year-old Iranian immigrant who decides to go by the name "Cindy" to blend in at her new California school. As the most fluent English speaker in her family, she frequently acts as a translator for her parents. She is an avid reader who struggles to balance her Iranian heritage with her desire to be a typical American teenager.

Nastaran is Zomorod's mother. She is an Iranian immigrant who speaks very little English and relies heavily on her daughter to communicate with neighbors. She deeply misses her home country, her relatives, and her culture, often expressing her homesickness by cooking traditional Persian meals and watching television.

Mohsen, who goes by "Mo," is Zomorod's father. He is an engineer whose job in the oil industry brought the family to the United States. He maintains high optimism about American ideals and opportunities, believing education is the most important asset a person can acquire.

Carolyn is Zomorod's closest friend in Newport Beach. She is an inquisitive and outgoing student who aspires to be a journalist. Unlike many of their peers, she shows a genuine and respectful interest in Zomorod's Iranian identity.

Brock is a boy in Zomorod's class and the son of her neighbor, Skip. He initially participates in teasing Zomorod to impress his friends. He is intelligent and loves reading, but he often hides these interests to fit in with his peer group.

Original Cindy is Zomorod's neighbor and the first person her age that she meets in Newport Beach. She focuses heavily on typical American teenage interests, such as tanning, horseback riding, and pop music. She expects her friends to share these exact hobbies, leading to tension when Zomorod tries to pretend she likes them.

Darleen Linden is Original Cindy's mother and a member of the local condominium association board. She is strict about neighborhood rules and exhibits xenophobic attitudes toward the Yousefzadeh family.

Skip is an adult neighbor in the condominium complex and Brock's father. He is friendly, involved in the local Rotary Club, and tries to be welcoming to the Yousefzadeh family.

Rachel is one of Zomorod's friends from school and Girl Scouts. She is welcoming to Zomorod as the new kid and includes her in group activities like trick-or-treating and going to the movies.

Mary, who prefers to go by the nickname "Howie," is a tall girl in Zomorod's class. She becomes friends with Zomorod after Zomorod kindly pretends to have made the same pronunciation mistake she did.

Mrs. Williams is Carolyn's mother. She is supportive of her daughter's friendship with Zomorod, taking a genuine interest in the geopolitical situation in Iran and inviting Zomorod over for dinners.

Matt is Carolyn's older brother. He is a high school valedictorian who reminds Zomorod of her cousin back in Iran. He is academically focused and encourages Zomorod to think about college preparation.

Dr. Klein is a neighbor who hires Zomorod to babysit his son. He engages respectfully with Mo about Iranian politics and frequently stops by to offer his sympathies or help to the family.

Rhonda is a neighbor who gives Zomorod her first babysitting job. She tries to be friendly and integrated into the typical Newport Beach lifestyle of tennis and golf.

David is the young son of Dr. Klein and Rhonda. Zomorod babysits him for extra money and teaches him how to make origami boats to pass the time.

Pooya is the son of Mo's former coworker. He comes to California to look at colleges, insisting on going by the name "Elvis" to fit in. He partakes in the traditional Iranian custom of taarof while staying as a guest.

Pooyan is Pooya's brother, who also comes to stay with Zomorod's family to look at colleges. He decides to adopt the American name "John," inspired by John Wayne.

Ms. Masatani is Zomorod's homeroom teacher at Lincoln Junior High. She is a strict but observant educator who immediately punishes the class when they deface her motivational poster.

Miss DeAngelo is a teacher who asks Zomorod to pronounce her real name for the class. She attempts to relate to Zomorod's immigrant experience by bringing up her own Italian heritage.

Mrs. Mavis is the landlady of the condo where Zomorod's family moves. She struggles to pronounce their name and speaks to them loudly, assuming they cannot understand English.

Mr. Williams is Carolyn's father. He takes an interest in current events and expresses concern about the political situation and violence in Iran during family dinners.