Jessie is a nine-year-old girl who loves puzzles, logic, and solving problems. She struggles with understanding emotions and finds comfort in familiar routines, such as ringing the community bell at midnight on New Year's Eve. Highly observant and analytical, she enlists her new neighbor to help investigate a local mystery when her sense of stability is threatened by the missing bell and sudden changes in her family.

Evan is a ten-year-old boy with a high degree of empathy and emotional intelligence. With his father absent, he often feels a sense of responsibility to protect and help his mother and sister. Though he sometimes loses patience with his younger sister, he possesses an intuitive ability to understand how other people are feeling, which proves vital during his family's stressful holiday visit.

Grandma is an older woman living on a 100-acre farm, whose great-grandfather originally installed the town's beloved New Year's Eve bell. She currently experiences memory loss and dementia, which causes her periods of confusion, fear, and frustration. Despite her changing health, she maintains a deep connection to nature and a strong desire to retain her independence.

Maxwell is a highly intelligent, neurodivergent boy who recently moved to the neighborhood. He sees the world in a literal way and struggles to understand the feelings of those around him. He operates under a rigid moral code and spends a significant amount of time visiting Grandma to watch the classic television show Get Smart.

Susan is the mother of Evan and Jessie and the daughter of Grandma. She faces the overwhelming responsibility of managing severe fire damage to her mother's home while also dealing with the increasing symptoms of her mother's dementia. She tries to keep her children shielded from the full emotional weight of the situation.

Pete is a young repairman in his early twenties hired to fix the hole in Grandma's kitchen. He immediately includes Evan in the repair work, showing him how to use tools and taking him seriously. He is practical, calm in a crisis, and prioritizes his community and family.

Jeff is an older boy in the neighborhood who, alongside his brother, frequently targets Maxwell. He builds contraptions in his family's barn and demonstrates a cruel streak, particularly concerning local wildlife and younger children.

Mike is Jeff's brother and partner in bullying the neighborhood children. He actively participates in catching and tormenting small animals in their barn, drawing the attention and anger of Jessie, Evan, and Maxwell.

Mrs. Cooper is Maxwell's mother. She is protective of her son and keenly aware of the difficulties he faces with neighborhood bullies. She acts as a translator of sorts, helping other children understand Maxwell's neurodivergence so they can better interact with him.

Melissa is Pete's wife. She attends the annual New Year's Eve community gathering on Lovell's Hill with her husband and newborn daughter, participating in the town's traditions.

Kayley is Pete and Melissa's infant daughter. As the youngest member of the community present at the gathering, she holds a special ceremonial role in the town's New Year's Eve tradition.