Morning Girl

Michael Dorris

39 pages 1-hour read

Michael Dorris

Morning Girl

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1999

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Character List

Meet the key characters, with insights into their roles, motivations, and relationships—spoiler-free.

Major Characters

Morning Girl is an approximately ten-year-old Taíno girl who loves the early morning hours, swimming, and gathering flowers. She is thoughtful and highly observant of the natural world, often comparing her physical features to elements of her environment. She struggles with the typical frustrations of an older sibling, finding her younger brother loud and disruptive to her peaceful routines.

Key Relationships

Older Sister of Star Boy

Daughter of Mother

Daughter of Father

Older Sister of Baby Sister

Granddaughter of Grandmother

Niece of Sharp Tooth

Star Boy is a young Taíno boy who prefers nighttime and darkness over the day. He is fascinated by stars, moonless nights, and bats, finding freedom and excitement when everyone else is asleep. Energetic and impulsive, he frequently acts out and gets into trouble, which puts him at odds with his quiet-loving older sister.

Key Relationships

Younger Brother of Morning Girl

Son of Mother

Son of Father

Best Friend of Red Feathers

Nephew of Sharp Tooth

Grandson of Grandfather

Older Brother of Baby Sister

Mother is a nurturing and patient Taíno woman raising two very different children. She understands her son's mischievous nature and provides steady, unconditional affection to both him and her daughter. She expects a third child, an event that brings both excitement and tension to the household.

Key Relationships

Mother of Morning Girl

Mother of Star Boy

Wife of Father

Sister of Sharp Tooth

Daughter of Grandmother

Mother of Baby Sister

Father is a wise, quietly strong Taíno man who values family above material possessions. He uses humor to connect with his children, embracing their contrasting personalities. He holds a deep respect for his cultural values and the natural world, striving to pass these perspectives on to his family.

Key Relationships

Father of Morning Girl

Father of Star Boy

Husband of Mother

Brother-in-law of Sharp Tooth

Son-in-law of Grandmother

Father of Baby Sister

Supporting Characters

Sharp Tooth is the brother of Morning Girl and Star Boy's mother. He lives in the same community and occasionally interacts with his nephew. He sometimes offers teasing remarks that highlight the social expectations placed on growing boys in the village.

Key Relationships

Brother of Mother

Uncle of Star Boy

Brother-in-law of Father

Uncle of Morning Girl

Red Feathers is a young Taíno boy who is Star Boy's best friend. He accompanies Star Boy on island explorations but is also influenced by the community's opinions, which sometimes creates friction in their friendship.

Key Relationships

Best Friend of Star Boy

Never Cry is a boy in the Taíno community who attends local gatherings. He pays attention to the behavior of his peers and is quick to point out when others revert to habits from their early childhood.

Key Relationships

Acquaintance of Star Boy

Grandfather is a deceased Taíno elder and the grandfather of Morning Girl and Star Boy. Though he has passed away, his memory and spiritual presence remain a vital source of comfort and ancestral connection for his family.

Key Relationships

Grandfather of Star Boy

Grandmother is an elder in the Taíno community and the mother of Morning Girl's mother. She represents the extended family network and provides a stable presence for the community.

Key Relationships

Mother of Mother

Grandmother of Morning Girl

The unborn third child of the family. Her anticipated arrival brings excitement to Morning Girl, who dreams of a peaceful life playing with her, but causes anxiety and frustration for Star Boy, who fears being replaced by another girl.

Key Relationships

Younger Sister of Morning Girl

Younger Sister of Star Boy

Daughter of Mother

Daughter of Father