Florida is a 13-year-old orphan residing at the Boxton Creek Home for Children. She is the outspoken and pessimistic leader of the twins, known for being bold, sassy, and fiercely protective of her brother. Labeled as "trouble" by adults, she uses a hardened exterior to shield herself from further disappointment and expects new guardians to treat her as poorly as past foster parents have.

Dallas is a 13-year-old orphan who lives with his twin sister at the Boxton Creek Home. Unlike his sister, he is an optimist who creates comforting "word pictures" of peaceful places to cope with their difficult circumstances. He possesses a calm, somewhat absent-minded nature and unfailingly trusts his sister's lead as they plan their escape.

Tiller is a 60-year-old man living a quiet life in Ruby Holler with his wife. He presents a gruff, somewhat pessimistic exterior that masks a deeply loving and creative nature. An avid woodcarver who whittles boats, he plans a solo boat trip on the Rutabago River but seeks a companion for the journey to alleviate his isolation.

Sairy is a 60-year-old woman residing in the lush valley of Ruby Holler. She is a kind, soft-spoken optimist who carves wooden birds and keeps her husband grounded. She invites Dallas to accompany her on a hiking trip to Kangadoon, hoping to fill the quiet void left by her grown children moving away.

Mr. Trepid manages the Boxton Creek Home for Children. He is a cruel, vain, and materialistic administrator who heavily disciplines the orphans for minor infractions. Discontent with his life, he constantly searches for schemes to acquire wealth and elevate his social status, viewing the children merely as a burden.

Mrs. Trepid co-manages the Boxton Creek Home for Children. She is selfish and highly materialistic, dreaming of expensive dresses and exotic islands rather than caring for her wards. Though she initially considered raising the twins as her own when they were left on her doorstep, she quickly abandoned the idea when she realized it required actual effort.

Z is a mysterious man hired by Mr. Trepid to map out the Ruby Holler property. Though he accepts Mr. Trepid's money to locate specific stones on the land, Z quietly harbors his own agenda and doubts his employer's true intentions. He operates in the background, observing the residents of the holler.

Joey was a young boy who resided at the Boxton Creek Home for Children a few years prior to the events of the novel. He contracted a fever, and due to the administration's refusal to summon a doctor, he passed away. His death serves as a dark reminder of the orphanage's cruelty and deeply traumatizes the children left behind.

Buddy is one of Tiller and Sairy Morey's adult children. He grew up in the peaceful surroundings of Ruby Holler but has since moved away. His absence creates a quiet space in his parents' lives that they seek to fill by hosting Dallas and Florida.

Lucy is the grown daughter of Sairy and Tiller Morey. She expresses concern over her aging parents' decisions, particularly their choice to take in the notorious "trouble twins."

Rose is an adult daughter of Tiller and Sairy Morey. She exists primarily in her parents' fond memories of raising their family in the natural environment of Ruby Holler.