The Girl is a young, observant Vietnamese refugee adjusting to life in San Diego. She notices small details about her environment, from the types of trees in her neighborhood to the number of steps leading to her apartment. Burdened by the weight of her family's unspoken traumas and her own feelings of isolation at school, she seeks comfort in animals, nature, and her active imagination.

Ma is the Girl's mother, a Vietnamese Catholic who works as a seamstress and later in a restaurant to support her family. She longs for independence and dreams of opening her own business, but financial limitations and lingering pain hold her back. She frequently clashes with her husband over his drinking and erratic behavior, yet the two remain deeply attached to one another.

Ba is the Girl's father, a Buddhist from North Vietnam who works as a welder and a gardener in America. A former soldier, he struggles deeply with post-traumatic stress disorder, which manifests in habitual drinking, unpredictable outbursts, and a tendency to detach from reality. He finds his only moments of peace while working with soil and tending to plants.

The Girl's older brother, who is absent from the family's life in America. His absence creates a heavy, unspoken silence within the household. The Girl feels his presence constantly, imagining him playing with her or watching over her, and she frequently asks her parents about him despite their refusal to answer.

Mr. Russell is a retired U.S. Navy veteran whose interactions with different cultures move him to help Vietnamese refugees. He sponsors Ba, the Girl, and the uncles after having a prophetic dream, though his understanding of their distinct culture is somewhat generalized.

Mel is Mr. Russell's son, who fulfills his late father's wish by taking in the Vietnamese refugees and employing the men on his maintenance crew. He projects a domineering presence, prioritizing cleanliness and assimilation, and struggles to connect with the people living in his home.

Mrs. Russell is the kind, grieving widow of Mr. Russell. She honors her husband's wishes to host the refugees and forms a gentle bond with Ba and the Girl, whom she takes on weekend trips to the snowy mountains. The Girl comes to view her as a surrogate grandmother.

The Uncles are four Vietnamese men who travel with Ba and the Girl. Though not blood relatives, the Girl calls them "uncles" out of respect. They share the family's early transition to America, working alongside Ba on Mel's maintenance crew and trying to adjust to their new reality.

The Landlord is the non-Vietnamese owner of the red apartment building where the family settles. He views his refugee tenants through harsh stereotypes, blaming them for property damage and ultimately filling in the complex's swimming pool with rocks after catching children jumping from the balconies.

The Grandparents are Ma's parents, who remain in Vietnam. They initially disapproved of Ma's relationship with Ba due to his background. Their physical distance and the photograph they send evoke deep feelings of guilt and loss in Ma.

Anh is a Vietnamese girl who lives next door to the protagonist. Ba calls her the "chicken egg girl" because she sells eggs from a cart in her yard. Her home features a blue tarp that reminds Ma of the South China Sea.

The Mexican Bakery Owner is an immigrant who runs a bakery selling French pastries. He practices speaking English by listening to cassette tapes while preparing dough, reflecting the broader immigrant experience of adapting to American society.

The Boy in the Kissing Box is a neighborhood boy who shares the Girl's early experiences of adolescence. Their interactions in a discarded washing machine box prompt the Girl's initial curiosity about physical affection and growing up.

The Dog is a white stray that Ba adopts after finding it guarding a hillside near a highway. The animal serves as a quiet companion to Ba during his restless, isolated moments.