April is an eleven-year-old sixth grader who relocates to a California college town. She harbors deep resentment about being sent away by her mother and attempts to project a sophisticated, indifferent attitude through a Hollywood-inspired wardrobe. Possessing a fiercely imaginative mind and a fascination with archaeology, she initiates an elaborate historical game with her new neighbors to escape her mundane surroundings.

Melanie is an eleven-year-old African American sixth grader whose parents are teachers. She loves reading and initially creates complex imaginary families using paper dolls. She possesses strong social intelligence, often working quietly to protect April from the ridicule of their classmates while helping to maintain peace within their friend group.

Dr. Huddleston is an elderly, mysterious man who runs A-Z Antiques. He is a tall, bent figure with a straggly beard and expressionless eyes who completely isolates himself from the surrounding community. Most of the neighborhood children are terrified of him, unaware of the personal tragedy that drove him into seclusion.

Marshall is Melanie's four-year-old brother. He frequently tags along with the older children and serves as the silent, dignified young pharaoh in their imaginative games. Though he speaks infrequently, he is highly observant of his surroundings and notices details the older children miss.

Caroline is April's paternal grandmother. She provides a home for April out of a strong sense of family obligation. Her calm, practical approach to parenting often clashes with April's rebellious nature, but she works steadily to provide a safe and stable environment.

Dorothea is April's mother, an aspiring singer and Hollywood actor. She travels frequently for her career and prioritizes her ambitions and social life over raising her daughter. She communicates with April primarily through cheery, chatty letters.

Elizabeth is a fourth-grade girl of Chinese descent. She has a delicate appearance and a profile that strikingly resembles the ancient Egyptian Queen Nefertiti. She is eager to make friends and quickly proves herself to be an enthusiastic and diplomatic participant in the older children's games.

Toby is a popular sixth-grade boy of Hispanic descent known throughout the school as a talented prankster. He possesses a spunky intelligence and quickly becomes fascinated by the elaborate historical rituals invented by his classmates. He brings new ideas to the group, including the concept of using hieroglyphics for secret messages.

Ken is a sixth-grade boy of Japanese descent who is well-liked and athletic. He initially views his classmates' imaginative historical games with skepticism and slight embarrassment. He relies heavily on his best friend's enthusiasm to bridge his entry into the group's activities.

Mrs. Chung is Elizabeth's mother. She manages the relocation of her family to a new town and works to establish a secure life for her three daughters. She actively seeks employment in the neighborhood to support her family.

Mrs. Ross is Melanie and Marshall's mother. She works as a teacher and maintains a welcoming home environment, keeping a watchful eye over the neighborhood children while encouraging their intellectual interests.

Mr. Schmitt is the abrasive owner of the local variety store. He employs his cousin as a stockboy to save money on proper help. When fear grips the neighborhood, he aggressively attempts to divert suspicion away from his own family by pointing fingers at others.

Nick is Dorothea's manager and agent. He aggressively pursues acting and singing opportunities for her in the entertainment industry, eventually becoming a permanent fixture in her personal life.

Security is a plush, stuffed octopus belonging to four-year-old Marshall Ross. It functions as a constant companion for the young boy, accompanying him everywhere he goes in the neighborhood.