Tangy is a thirteen-year-old student living in a decaying house in segregated Georgia. She excels academically and views schooling as her primary method for escaping her mother's control. Despite her dark skin making her a target of her mother's prejudice, she maintains fierce loyalty to her younger siblings.

Rozelle is the single mother of ten children. She suffers from a severe mental health condition and uses intimidation to maintain control over her household. She exhibits blatant prejudice by favoring her lighter-skinned sons while directing physical and emotional cruelty toward her dark-skinned daughters.

Mushy is the eldest Quinn sibling. She successfully escaped her mother's household to live in Ohio and work in a hospital kitchen. She speaks bluntly to Rozelle and attempts to offer guidance to her younger siblings who are still trapped in the home.

Tarabelle is sixteen years old and acts as the primary domestic worker supporting the family. She harbors intense resentment toward her mother and acts aggressively to mask her emotional pain.

Fourteen-year-old Martha Jean is deaf and nonverbal. She serves as the primary caretaker for the youngest Quinn children. Her mother refuses to learn sign language, forcing her to rely on her siblings for communication and support.

Sam is Tangy's older brother. His light skin earns him preferential treatment from Rozelle. He associates with local activists and expresses deep frustration over the economic exploitation Black men face in Bakersfield.

Junior is a substitute teacher and passionate activist. He teaches reading in rural areas and believes education is the only effective weapon against systemic racism. He recognizes Tangy's intellectual potential and actively encourages her to prioritize school.

Chadlow is a violent white man who acts as an unofficial enforcer in Bakersfield. He carries a gun, illegally arrests Black citizens, and screens mail to prevent civil rights complaints from reaching the NAACP.

Harvey is an older Quinn sibling who searches for fair-paying manual labor in town. He desires stability and frequently clashes with his mother over the money he earns.

Wallace is a younger Quinn sibling. He possesses a talent for gathering town gossip and acts as an observant scout for the family. He often runs errands and finds resourceful ways to acquire items the family needs.

Edna is four years old and dark-skinned. She relies on her older sisters for protection and receives harsh treatment from Rozelle due to her appearance.

Five-year-old Laura closely trails Tangy and the older siblings. She struggles to understand the chaotic rules of her mother's household and looks to Tangy for comfort.

Judy is the newest baby in the Quinn family. Her dark skin causes Rozelle to immediately reject her, leaving the older siblings entirely responsible for her feeding and care.

Pearl is Rozelle's closest friend. She routinely steps in to deliver Rozelle's babies and secretly provides the Quinn children with food and gifts to offset their mother's neglect.

Frank works at the local carpet mill. He holds a harsh view of Rozelle's lifestyle and frequently complains when she causes disruptions in his home.

Hambone washes windows and advocates loudly for civil rights. He delivers impassioned speeches to the community but exhibits threatening, predatory behavior toward the young women in the Quinn household.

Angus Betts is the local sheriff. He turns a blind eye to racial violence and actively enables white citizens to enforce illegal segregation practices throughout the town.

Crow is a wealthy, dark-skinned man who previously courted Rozelle. He treats Tangy with respect and provides a sharp contrast to the colorism that dominates the Quinn household.

Velman is a twenty-two-year-old post office employee. He takes an immediate interest in fourteen-year-old Martha Jean and makes it his mission to remove her from Rozelle's abusive household.

Zadie is the local midwife. Rozelle harbors a deep, irrational hatred for her. She uses folk rituals involving water and hair, which severely frighten Rozelle whenever they cross paths.

Mattie is Tangy's closest friend. She endures a violent home life and doubts that formal education will improve her limited options as a Black woman in the South.

Carol Sue is the daughter of the local undertaker. Her father attempts to control her relationship with Harvey by demanding he work at the funeral home.

Jeff is an older student at Tangy's school. He comes from a financially stable family and treats Tangy with genuine respect.