Alex is an angry, guarded 12-year-old boy carrying the trauma of being separated from his mother. He initially views his community service as a punishment, using hostility as a defense mechanism to mask his deep loneliness and hunger for connection. Living unhappily with his unsympathetic aunt and uncle, he expects little from the adults around him but slowly finds purpose at the retirement home.

Josey is a 107-year-old Holocaust survivor and resident of Shady Glen Retirement Home who has not spoken a word in five years. Despite his poor eyesight and physical weariness, he possesses a deep, empathetic understanding of others' emotional pain. He carries significant memories of his life in Poland before and during World War II, which he eventually begins sharing to help guide Alex.

Maya-Jade is a 12-year-old adopted Chinese girl volunteering at Shady Glen over the summer. While she initially projects dominance and strictness, her tough exterior masks the anxiety she feels about her mother's ongoing battle with cancer. She is highly organized, intelligent, and deeply committed to listening to the residents.

Olka is a fierce, highly intelligent young Polish woman from Josey's past. Denied the opportunity to attend university due to her uncle's demands, she works as a seamstress in Josey's family's clothing store. She is sharply observant, acutely aware of class disparities, and deeply principled in her beliefs as the Nazi occupation begins.

The Social Worker is a dedicated professional tasked with overseeing Alex's case and overall well-being. Having faced personal rejection in his own past, he possesses a profound capacity to see the potential in troubled youth. He patiently tries to reframe Alex's mandatory service as an opportunity for growth rather than a punishment.

Vivian is Maya-Jade's grandmother and a resident at Shady Glen. A former opera singer with a flair for the dramatic, she can be quick to judge, initially labeling Alex a criminal. She maintains a lively presence in the retirement home and enjoys participating in social events.

Mrs. Winston is the pregnant nurse and director of Shady Glen Retirement Home. She runs the facility with a firm hand, warning Alex early on that she has zero tolerance for any trouble. Behind her stern exterior, she genuinely cares about the well-being of the elderly residents.

Julio is a staff member at Shady Glen who handles food service and deliveries. He is protective of the residents and initially skeptical of Alex, particularly when the boy claims the long-silent Josey spoke to him.

Minna is a resident at Shady Glen who cherishes the memory of her late husband, Steven. She sometimes feels left out of social activities but brightens considerably when given attention and an opportunity to share her love story.

Ginny is a resident at Shady Glen who shares a deep, loving relationship with a fellow resident named Dickie. She becomes intensely distressed when the facility plans to move Dickie to a different wing due to his declining health.

Dickie is a resident of Shady Glen experiencing a decline in his mental state. His impending separation from Ginny causes significant distress for both of them and prompts the young volunteers to advocate on their behalf.

Adek is an acquaintance of Josey's from Poland who eventually ends up in the same forced labor camp. He plays a crucial role in helping his friend maintain hope and secure the means to survive their harrowing circumstances.

Toby is a smart, queer student who is a year younger than Alex but in a grade above him. He was assigned to tutor Alex in math, a dynamic that frustrated Alex and eventually led to a severe altercation.

Alex's aunt is his reluctant guardian following his separation from his mother. She views Alex as a financial and emotional burden, making him sleep on the couch and frequently reminding him of the trouble he causes.

Alex's uncle serves as his co-guardian alongside his aunt. Like his wife, he provides an emotionally cold and unwelcoming environment for the struggling boy.

Laura is one of Maya-Jade's mothers. She is undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer, a battle that deeply worries her daughter but which she faces with determination and a desire to maintain normalcy.

Mim is Maya-Jade's Jewish mother. She provides a warm, stable, and welcoming home environment that contrasts sharply with Alex's living situation, taking him in for family dinners and Shabbat.

Alex's mother, Oleksandra, has been separated from him for over a year following struggles with her health and ability to provide. Her absence leaves a profound void in Alex's life, filling him with lingering guilt and longing.

Josey's mother lived in Poland as the Nazi occupation began. Following the deportation of her husband, she suffered a severe mental health decline, refusing to leave their home while waiting for his impossible return.

Josey's father was a proud Polish business owner who stubbornly maintained hope that the war would end quickly. He refused to believe his family would lose their home, an optimism that ultimately proved tragically misplaced.

Lydia is Ginny's granddaughter. She is contacted by Alex and Maya-Jade when they sneak into the files to advocate for keeping Ginny and Dickie together at the retirement home.

Dickie's son is responsible for making care decisions for his father. He initially approves separating his father from Ginny but agrees to reevaluate after understanding his father's loneliness.