Nicknamed "Panchito," Francisco is a sensitive and resilient migrant child. Starting at age four, he travels with his family along the agricultural circuit in California. Despite facing grueling labor, poverty, and a language barrier, he possesses a deep thirst for education and a compassionate heart for animals and marginalized people.

Francisco's father is a proud and hardworking man who relocates his family to California in search of a better life. He possesses a formidable work ethic, determined to provide for his growing family through agricultural labor. Over time, the physical toll of farm work causes him severe back pain, and the stress of poverty frequently renders him irritable.

Mamá is the emotional anchor and caretaker of the Jimenez family. She works in the fields alongside her husband when possible and earns extra money by cooking for other camp workers. Resourceful and deeply faithful, she maintains a positive outlook and teaches her children that love and family are more important than physical possessions.

Francisco's older brother is four years his senior and shares the heavy burden of agricultural work. Because of his age, his schooling is delayed even more frequently than Francisco's so that he can assist Papá in the fields. Despite the grinding physical labor, he remains a supportive brother and dreams of escaping the circuit for a stable job.

A compassionate sixth-grade teacher who recognizes Francisco's eagerness to learn. He gladly sacrifices his lunch hours to help tutor Francisco in English vocabulary. He goes above and beyond standard teaching duties by offering to give Francisco trumpet lessons.

A bracero with long sideburns who comes to California to earn money for his family in Mexico. He is hardworking but refuses to be stripped of his dignity. When ordered to pull a plow like a work animal, he stands his ground against his exploitative boss.

A tough older neighbor boy who acts as the local bully. He wears a t-shirt with rolled-up sleeves holding cigarettes and dictates unfair rules for neighborhood games, pointedly excluding smaller children.

Francisco's best friend during his brief time in fifth grade. Carl shares Francisco's interest in coin collecting and kindly invites him into his home, allowing Francisco his first glimpse inside a non-migrant house.

One of Francisco's younger brothers. As an infant, his care frequently falls to young Francisco, preventing Francisco from joining the rest of the family in the crop fields.

Francisco's baby brother, formally named Juan Manuel but nicknamed "little bull" for his size at birth. He contracts a terrifying, severe illness that threatens his life, prompting the family to unite in prayer.

An older boy at the Corcoran labor camp who befriends Francisco during third grade. They enjoy playing in the rain puddles and making plans to construct fishing poles, but the friendship is cut short by the migratory circuit.

A colorful parrot who becomes an adored member of the Jimenez family. The bird is affectionate, particularly with Francisco, and loves to socialize with a neighborhood cat, but reacts noisily when separated from its feline friend.

A wealthy, abusive labor contractor. He exploits the migrant workers, taking a large cut of their earnings for substandard room and board, and routinely demeans his employees.

The elementary school principal. He demonstrates kindness toward the Jimenez boys, attempting to ensure they have basic winter clothing and later leveraging his connections to help Roberto find employment.

Francisco's first-grade teacher. While well-meaning, she inadvertently isolates Francisco by strictly enforcing an English-only rule in her classroom, making it incredibly difficult for him to understand lessons or communicate.

A neighbor in Tent City who acts as a curandera, or folk healer. She attempts to cure the gravely ill baby Torito by cracking eggs over his stomach to draw out the evil eye.

Francisco's little sister. As a very young child, she does not understand the sentimental value of objects, leading her to spend Francisco's prized penny collection on gumballs.

One of Francisco's younger brothers, born during a particularly difficult and impoverished winter when the family is forced to scavenge for food.