Carley is an eighth-grade girl who enters the foster care system after a violent incident involving her stepfather lands her mother in the hospital. Having grown up in Las Vegas with a freewheeling mother, she initially scoffs at the organized, gentle environment of her new foster home. She covers her hurt with sarcasm and defiance, often using counting or word games to manage her anxiety.

Mrs. Murphy is an organized mother of three boys who welcomes Carley as a foster child. She maintains a neat house, prepares home-cooked meals, and responds to her children's needs with patience. Her structured parenting style contrasts heavily with the unconventional upbringing Carley experienced in Las Vegas.

Carley's mother recently married a man named Dennis and relocated her small family from Las Vegas to Connecticut. She taught her daughter to act tough, suppress emotions, and find amusement in bending rules, such as taking clothes from donation bins. She currently lies in the hospital recovering from severe injuries sustained from her new husband.

Toni is an eighth-grade student in Carley's social studies class. She focuses highly on academics and holds a strong interest in Broadway musicals. She directs initial hostility toward Carley based on assumptions about Carley's brand-name clothing.

Daniel is the oldest son in the Murphy family. He resents Carley's arrival and verbally expresses his frustration over her presence in their home. He attempts to play basketball but lacks confidence and skill on the court.

Mr. Murphy works as a firefighter and is the father of Daniel, Adam, and Michael Eric. He harbors reservations about bringing a foster child into their home, worrying about the disruption to his family. He is a passionate fan of the Boston Red Sox and heavily pushes his eldest son toward baseball.

Michael Eric is the youngest Murphy son, roughly four years old. He vacates his bedroom so Carley has a place to sleep. He loves playing superheroes and approaches Carley with immediate friendliness.

Adam is the middle son of the Murphy family. He shares his bedroom with his younger brother, Michael Eric, to accommodate Carley's stay. He participates in superhero games and adjusts to the new household dynamics.

Dennis is Carley's new stepfather. He possesses a violent temper and physically assaulted both Carley and her mother. His actions directly cause Carley's placement in the foster care system and her mother's extended hospitalization.

Mrs. MacAvoy is the Child Services social worker assigned to Carley's case. She transports Carley to the foster home and attempts to frame the placement positively. She coordinates communication between the foster family and the state system.

Mr. Ruben is Carley's eighth-grade social studies teacher. He adopts theatrical mannerisms, frequently speaking in mock-Shakespearean language. He pairs students together for major projects based on who he believes needs to collaborate.

Rainer is a boy in Carley's social studies class who also works as a busser at a local restaurant. He witnesses Carley's misbehavior when she acts out at the restaurant, and he later sits near her at school, sometimes causing minor disruptions.

Jimmy is a boy who lives a few doors down from the Murphys. He bullies the younger children in the neighborhood and speaks disrespectfully, prompting intervention from older kids who want to protect their siblings.