Charlie is a teenage boy living in the small, insular town of Corrigan in 1960s Australia. Fearful of physical conflict and uncertain of his own bravery, he relies heavily on intellect and literature to make sense of the prejudiced world around him. He looks up to fictional heroes to guide his moral compass but struggles to take direct action when faced with real-life injustice.

Jasper is a local teenager of half-Aboriginal descent who lives largely on the fringes of Corrigan society. Because of intense local racism and his father's struggles with alcohol, the townspeople instinctively blame him for any trouble that occurs. Despite suffering constant discrimination, he maintains a strong sense of responsibility toward others and operates with a quiet independence.

Jeffrey is a Vietnamese-Australian boy and Charlie's closest confidant. He possesses a vibrant, irrepressible optimism and an absolute obsession with cricket. Despite facing relentless racist bullying from his teammates and the broader town, he continuously returns to the pitch, refusing to let the cruelty of others extinguish his spirit.

Eliza is a local girl who shares Charlie's literary interests and dreams of escaping to places like New York City. She carries heavy emotional burdens regarding her family's toxic dynamics and her sister's sudden disappearance. She seeks comfort and stability in her growing closeness with Charlie as the town falls into chaos.

Charlie's mother is a rigid and vindictive woman who comes from a wealthier background than her husband. She serves as the primary disciplinarian in the Bucktin household, often meting out arbitrary and grueling punishments. She harbors a deep, simmering bitterness regarding her life in the isolated town of Corrigan.

Charlie's father is a mild-mannered, compassionate man who maintains a quiet presence in his volatile household. He strongly opposes the town's racist attitudes and works secretly on writing his own novel in his home office late at night. He attempts to foster his son's intellectual growth by granting him full access to his extensive library.

An elderly, reclusive man living on the edge of town, Lionel is the subject of wild gossip and terrifying myths among Corrigan's children. Kids frequently dare each other to steal peaches from his property to prove their courage. Jasper holds strong suspicions about his involvement in violent acts based on his intimidating reputation.

Eliza's teenage sister, whose tragic and sudden death serves as the catalyst for the novel's events. Before her passing, she was known to be guarded and secretive, struggling with profound, hidden troubles within her household that pushed her to drastic actions.

Jeffrey's father is a hardworking Vietnamese immigrant living in Corrigan on a sponsorship. He takes immense pride in cultivating an exotic garden filled with non-native plants. Despite maintaining a quiet and respectful life, he frequently faces severe discrimination and unprovoked violence from prejudiced members of the community.

Jeffrey's mother is a quiet woman who grieves deeply for family members lost to the ongoing war in Vietnam. She attempts to maintain harmony in her new Australian community but frequently becomes the target of unwarranted local hostility due to her heritage.

A local bully and cricket player in Corrigan. He routinely targets Charlie for his intelligence and Jeffrey for his heritage, displaying both cruelty and the deeply ingrained racism common among the town's residents. He also engages in highly inappropriate and harassing behavior toward the girls in the community.

A grieving and bitter woman in Corrigan who recently lost a son to the war and had another drafted. Her intense pain manifests as violent racism toward the town's Vietnamese residents, leading her to lash out at innocent people who have nothing to do with her suffering.

The father of Laura and Eliza. He holds a respected position in the town but maintains a dark, volatile presence behind closed doors, frequently drinking and fostering a deeply troubled, abusive family dynamic.

The mother of Laura and Eliza. She is heavily burdened by her older daughter's disappearance and struggles to manage the difficult atmosphere of her household, frequently turning a blind eye to the reality of what occurs in her own home.

Jasper's father, who struggles severely with alcohol addiction. He checked out of his parental responsibilities following the tragic death of his wife, leaving his son to largely fend for himself in a hostile and prejudiced town.

Jasper's late mother, a woman of Aboriginal heritage whose sudden death in a car accident fractured her family permanently. Her passing left a void that her husband and son continue to suffer from years later.