Ramona is an energetic and imaginative seven-year-old girl. She possesses a natural confidence but often lacks patience, getting into minor scrapes like tangling burs in her hair. As her family faces financial difficulties, she takes on the burden of trying to help, showing her strong sense of responsibility and deep love for her parents.

Mr. Quimby is the father of the Quimby household who loses his job and falls into a depressed state. He spends much of his time at home smoking cigarettes and worrying about finances. Despite his struggles, he deeply loves his daughters and strives to remind them that money is not the foundation of their family's happiness.

Mrs. Quimby is a patient and hardworking mother who takes on full-time employment to support her family after her husband loses his job. Balancing her job and household duties leaves her exhausted, yet she remains understanding of her children's needs, even attempting to sew a last-minute sheep costume for Ramona.

Beezus is Ramona's older sister. She displays a mature understanding of the family's financial situation, pointing out the practical implications of expensive cat food and cigarettes. She takes her responsibilities seriously, from interviewing a neighbor for a school project to playing Mary in the church Nativity play.

Howie is Ramona's neighbor and closest friend. He builds tin can stilts based on an older neighbor's childhood memories. Playing outside with Howie provides Ramona with an essential escape from the stressful atmosphere of her home.

Picky-picky is the Quimby family's pet cat. When the family budget tightens, he refuses to eat the cheaper brand of cat food Mrs. Quimby purchases. His hunger leads him to destroy a carved pumpkin, an event that brings underlying household tensions to the surface.

Mrs. Swink is an elderly neighbor of the Quimby family. She invites Beezus and Ramona into her home for an interview. During their visit, she shares fond memories of her own childhood, including playing on tin can stilts.

Davy is a boy in Ramona's Sunday school class. He joins Ramona and Howie as part of the unexpected sheep chorus in the upcoming Christmas production.