November Blues

Josh is November’s boyfriend and the father of her baby. He dies falling from a second-story window in a pledge stunt for a school club called the Warriors of Distinction.

Jericho is Josh’s cousin and best friend. After Josh’s death, he is consumed by grief and guilt because he thinks that his interest in joining the Warriors of Distinction led to his best friend’s death. Jericho feels like his world ended when Josh died, and everything he used to love reminds him of his cousin, especially his love for music and his hobby of playing the trumpet. He decides to abandon the trumpet, quits the band and instead devotes himself to playing football. Physical activity helps him keep painful memories of Josh at bay and gives him an outlet for his sorrow and pain. Even though he is one of the best players on the football team, Jericho still feels drawn to music, and in the book’s final pages he decides to start playing the trumpet again, thus beginning the road to his emotional recovery after Josh’s death.

Arielle, his ex-girlfriend, breaks up with him shortly after Josh’s death, and this exacerbates his loneliness and emotional pain. At the same time, he befriends Olivia, a kindhearted girl who shares his passion for music. When Jericho learns about November’s pregnancy, he promises to support her every step of the way, although he admits that he is not entirely sure what that entails. Nevertheless, during November’s pregnancy and after the birth of the baby, Jericho proves himself as a loyal and helpful friend.

Mrs. Nelson is November’s mother and an eighth-grade art teacher. Even though mother and daughter are very close, Mrs. Nelson is shocked when she learns about November’s pregnancy. She is disappointed and angry because she had pictured an entirely different future for her daughter. Nevertheless, she assures November that they will get through this stage of their lives, and supports November throughout her pregnancy, and after the baby is born. Ultimately, Mrs. Nelson becomes a role model for November, and by watching her, November begins to learn how to be a loving and caring mother.

Dana is a student at Frederick Douglass High School and November’s best friend. She is the first person to learn about November’s pregnancy, and she helps November cope with her growing fear and anxiety. When November goes into labor on the side of the road, Dana quickly takes charge and calls the ambulance, making sure that November receives medical care as soon as possible. Dana is also very protective of her friends: first, she stands up for Olivia when she is bullied by Arielle and Logan, and then she stands up for November when she hears other students gossiping about her pregnancy. As Dana proves herself to be a helpful and supporting friend, November realizes that she “couldn’t wish for anyone better to have [her] back” (261).

Olivia is a junior at Frederick Douglass High School and November’s classmate. At first, November, like many other students, does not even notice Olivia, but as November gets to know Olivia better, the two soon become close friends. Olivia is a smart and kind girl, but she is frequently bullied for being overweight. She is insightful and helpful, yet her peers fail to appreciate her character, paying attention only to her looks. Olivia admits that “school isn’t fun for [her]” (195) because other students often try to humiliate her and she doesn’t have many friends. Nevertheless, she has a very strong personality and she doesn’t let other people’s opinions define who she is.

Mr. and Mrs. Prescott are Josh’s parents, and they are struggling to overcome emotional pain after losing their only son. When they find out about November’s pregnancy, they become eager to adopt the baby to fill the void that Josh’s death left in their lives. However, when they learn that the child might have developmental delays, they change their mind and decide to put the adoption process on hold. It thus becomes clear that their motives for adopting the baby are purely egocentric, and that they only want the child if she fits into their lifestyle.

Mr.Tambori is a music teacher and the band director at Frederick Douglass High School. He sees real talent and potential in Jericho and urges him not to abandon his trumpet. He doesn’t blame Jericho for choosing football over music and supports him in his efforts to deal with his loss.

Coach Barnes is the head football coach at Frederick Douglass High School. He prepares his team physically and supports them emotionally, and his enthusiasm makes his players believe they can win even under unfavorable conditions. Coach Barnes is an excellent example of the power of encouragement and belief in what can be possible.

Dr. Holland is the doctor who examines November after she learns about her pregnancy. Kind and caring, she becomes more than just a doctor to November, giving her much-needed support and words of advice.

Ms. Hathaway is an English teacher at Frederick Douglass High School. Known for her strict rules, she seems unapproachable and cold, and students call her “a real dinosaur” (210). Yet when she talks to November about her pregnancy, she assures her that she understands how November feels, because she also had a baby once, but the baby was taken away from her and then the baby died. November soon learns that Ms. Hathaway seems strict and unemotional only on the outside, while on the inside she is empathic and caring.

Mr. Fox is a teacher of American History at Frederick Douglass High School. A retired army sergeant, he is known for his strict rule of not excusing anyone during the class. When November tells him that she needs to go to the bathroom and he refuses to let her go, she loses her temper and announces to the whole class that she is pregnant.

Arielle is Jericho’s ex-girlfriend who broke up with him right after Josh’s death. After her new boyfriend, Logan, gets arrested, she tries to win Jericho back and declares she plans to “take good care of him” (214). She doesn’t succeed because her insincerity and egocentrism drive all her friends from her, including Jericho.

Logan becomes Arielle’s boyfriend after she breaks up with Jericho. A captain of the basketball team and a founder of his own singing group, he is one of the most envied boys at school, until he is arrested for selling drugs to middle schoolers.

Kofi is Dana’s boyfriend and Jericho’s friend. Helpful and calm, he is a source of support for both Jericho and November.

Luis is a senior at Frederick Douglass High School, a track team member and a captain of the football team. He encourages Jericho to join the football team for his senior year and leads the team in their game against Excelsior.

Geneva is Jericho’s stepmother. Helpful and caring, she offers Jericho her support whenever he needs it.

Rory and Todd are Geneva’s sons and Jericho’s stepbrothers. They love Jericho, and he is a role model for them.

Mr. Prescott is Jericho’s father and Brock’s brother. He is a strong father figure in Jericho’s life, and Jericho openly talks to him about the issues that bother him.

Mr. Grant is a lawyer that Mr. and Mrs. Prescott hired to get custody of November’s unborn child. He tries to manipulate November into agreeing to their terms, but she dismisses their threats and promises.

Bob Rubicon is the president of the Excelsior Alumni Association Boosters. He gives the Douglass football team a tour around the Excelsior campus before the game and tries to intimidate them by demonstrating how superior Excelsior is.

Ralph and Alma are the paramedics that arrive when November goes into labor on the side of the road.

Ling Yee is a nurse at the Good Samaritan hospital, and she takes care of November during delivery.