Alem is a 14-year-old boy of Eritrean and Ethiopian heritage. Because of his multiethnic identity, he faces severe persecution in both countries amid the Eritrean-Ethiopian War. Left in London by his father to seek asylum, he is a dedicated student who loves architecture and reading. He is observant and determined to honor his parents' hopes for him to be a good person, focusing on his education as a way to build a stable future.

Mr. Kelo is an Ethiopian man from the Amhara tribe who deeply loves his son. Desperate to protect his multiethnic child from the violence of the Eritrean-Ethiopian War, he makes the agonizing decision to leave Alem in the British asylum system. He believes that preserving his son's physical safety and moral character is worth the pain of separation.

Mrs. Fitzgerald is an Irish woman who, along with her husband, fosters children in England. Having experienced discrimination as an Irish immigrant, she is empathetic to Alem's struggles as a refugee. She provides a stable, comforting presence and strongly encourages Alem's educational pursuits without being overbearing.

Ruth is the teenage daughter of Alem's foster parents. She keeps her distance at first due to past trauma from abusive foster siblings, making her wary of newcomers. Over time, she observes Alem's gentle nature and actively steps in to help him preserve his family memories.

Mrs. Kelo is Alem's Eritrean mother. She is a compassionate visionary who co-founded the East African Solidarity Trust (EAST) to promote unity and peace between warring African tribes. She remains in a war-torn region while her husband secures their son's safety abroad.

Mariam is an Ethiopian caseworker for the Refugee Council in London. She helps Alem navigate the complexities of the British asylum system, finding him accommodations and guiding him through dehumanizing bureaucratic processes. She offers him practical advice and realistic expectations about his legal situation.

Mr. Fitzgerald is an Irish immigrant who serves as Alem's foster father. Like his wife, he remembers the hardship of coming to England and uses his position to offer a safe harbor for vulnerable children escaping difficult circumstances.

Nicholas is an immigration lawyer who takes on Alem's asylum case. He works to prove to the British courts that his clients face genuine, life-threatening danger if returned to Africa, constantly battling the skepticism of the adjudicators.

Robert, whose birth name is Roberto, is a schoolmate of Alem's whose parents are originally from Chile. After a clumsy introduction, he quickly befriends Alem, bonding over their shared experiences as children of immigrants and helping Alem adjust to British school life.

Sheila is a social worker who assists Alem after his troubled stay at the children's home. She handles the logistics of his placement with the Fitzgerald family and helps coordinate his ongoing care, maintaining contact as his situation evolves.

Ray, commonly known as Buck, is a reserved student who plays in a band. He becomes friends with Alem, offering a quiet presence that appeals to Alem's personality.

Asher is a Jamaican Rastafarian who deeply reveres Ethiopia as a spiritual homeland. He shares his passionate beliefs about African unity with Alem, providing him with a different perspective on his heritage.

Sweeney is an aggressive boy living in the children's home. He uses intimidation and physical violence to steal food from other boys, creating a hostile environment that quickly pushes Alem to seek safety elsewhere.

Mustafa is a quiet resident at the children's home who observes the internal politics of the facility. He warns Alem about the local bullies and explains the tragic histories behind the behavior of the other boys.

Stanley is Alem's talkative roommate at the children's home. He suffers from severe trauma and vivid nightmares stemming from his father's death and his mother's subsequent psychiatric breakdown.

Pamela is a representative from the Refugee Council who accompanies Mariam to process Alem after he is left alone at the London hotel. She assists in taking his initial statement for the Home Office.

Mr. Hardwick is the manager of the London hotel where Alem's father leaves him. He acts responsibly by contacting the Refugee Council and ensuring Alem has a safe place to stay until they arrive.