Hiram is a thoughtful sixteen-year-old who spent his early years living with his grandparents in the Mississippi Delta before his parents moved the family to Arizona. Returning to Greenwood for a summer visit, he possesses a growing awareness of the racial prejudice present in the South. He is observant, empathetic, and increasingly torn between his affection for his grandfather and his awakening moral conscience.

Grampa Hillburn is a stubborn, traditional man of the Mississippi Delta who essentially raised Hiram during his early childhood. He is a prominent figure in Greenwood, heavily involved in the local council, and adamantly opposes desegregation. Despite his deep affection for his grandson, his deeply entrenched racial prejudices create a widening gulf between him and his family.

R.C. is a local Greenwood youth who comes from a dysfunctional and abusive household. He exhibits a cruel, volatile temperament and deep-seated racism, often participating in bullying and harassment. His aggressive behavior continually escalates, making him a dangerous presence in the community and a source of deep discomfort for his peers.

Emmett is a spirited teenager from Chicago visiting his family in Mississippi for the summer. Raised in the North, he lacks an understanding of the strict and dangerous racial hierarchies of the Delta. He is confident, friendly, and acts with a casual openness that sharply contrasts with the expectations placed on Black individuals in the segregated South.

Naomi is a resilient young woman who acts as the primary caretaker in her dysfunctional household following her mother's death. Despite the challenges of living with an abusive father and a volatile brother, she maintains a tough exterior and a tender heart. She shares a special, quiet connection with Hiram, meeting him at night on a local bridge to escape her difficult reality.

The Remingtons are eccentric, bachelor brothers living next door to the Hillburn family. They are known for their quirky behavior and are frequent targets of neighborhood mockery. Because they spend much of their time observing the town from their window, they often notice details and activities that others overlook.

Mr. Paul is a blind veteran who operates the convenience counter inside the Greenwood courthouse. He is perceptive, thoughtful, and distinct from many other white men in the town due to his moral clarity regarding racial inequality. He serves as a voice of wisdom for Hiram, offering honest conversations about the social and political climate of the South.

Ruthanne is the dedicated housekeeper and cook for the Hillburn family, taking over the responsibilities after the passing of Hiram's grandmother. She is gentle, hardworking, and acutely aware of her precarious position as a Black woman working in a heavily segregated, racially tense environment. She maintains her dignity while working in the complex environment of the Hillburn household.

Harlan is Hiram's father, a college English teacher with strong convictions about social justice. Disgusted by the racial prejudice of the Mississippi Delta, he moves his family to Arizona to escape the oppressive Southern mindset. His staunch morals put him at odds with his own father, creating a family rift that deeply affects his son.

Hiram's mother is a supportive and grounding presence in the Hillburn family. While she supports her husband's decision to move to Arizona, she also encourages maintaining familial ties, frequently coaxing her husband to allow Hiram to visit his grandfather. She emphasizes the importance of integrity and remembering one's roots.

Sheriff Smith is the local law enforcement officer in Greenwood, Mississippi. He handles inquiries within the community and represents the local legal authority as tensions rise over the summer. He fields complaints and occasionally asks questions when disturbances occur.