Bobby is a twelve-year-old seventh grader living in a trailer in Paintbrush Falls with his widowed father. He works a part-time job selling ties to help support his household. Because he is overweight, he frequently endures cruel nicknames from classmates. He considers himself a quiet person who prefers to follow the rules and stay out of trouble.

Addie is a tall, highly intelligent seventh grader who reads the newspaper and speaks out about social injustices. Her outspoken nature and physical height make her a frequent target for bullies. She determines that the upcoming student council elections unfairly exclude independent candidates and sets out to create a third political party.

Joe is a highly creative seventh grader who loves art and frequently changes his name to try out new identities. He paints his pinky nail with intricate designs and wears colored streaks in his hair. He confides early on to his close friends that he is gay, noting that his parents allow him to be himself.

Skeezie is a member of the Gang of Five who dresses in a style reminiscent of a 1950s hooligan. Despite his rebellious appearance and history as a childhood bully, he is fiercely loyal to his friends. He often acts as a sounding board, offering surprisingly practical advice about relationships and social dynamics.

Mr. Kellerman manages the tie department at Awkworth & Ames. He is a strict and intimidating supervisor who frequently criticizes Bobby's performance. The employees quietly refer to him as Killer Man due to his abrasive personality and lack of patience.

Mike is Bobby's father, a widower who works steadily at a local nursery. Bobby affectionately calls him Hammer after a fictional detective. He struggles to pursue big dreams following his wife's death, preferring to live quietly and avoid taking risks.

Pam is Joe's twenty-eight-year-old aunt who moved back from New York City to live with her sister's family. She works as a makeup artist at the same department store where Bobby works. She acts as a mentor figure for her nephew and offers thoughtful perspectives on the adults in the town.

DuShawn is a popular student and one of the few African American seventh graders at the middle school. He uses humor and sarcasm to point out the flaws in other people's arguments. When Addie asks him to run for class president, he quickly realizes she selected him primarily because of his race.

Mr. Kiley is the principal of Paintbrush Falls Middle School and a Vietnam War veteran. He believes the existing two-party system for student council works perfectly well. He views student protests with skepticism, assuming they are simply attempts to gain attention.

Ms. Wyman teaches math and serves as the homeroom teacher for several of the main characters. She is a strict educator who demands that students work within the established system. She begins her classes with deep breathing exercises.

Kelsey is a new student at the middle school who is exceptionally shy. She is a talented artist whose work is frequently praised by the teacher. She speaks so quietly that others often struggle to hear her.

Colin is a well-liked seventh grader who treats everyone with kindness, regardless of their social status. Unlike other popular students, he does not bully the misfits. Both Addie and Joe secretly harbor feelings for him.

Tonni, whose full name is Tondayala Cherise DuPré, is an African American seventh grader. She is fiercely protective of her friends and quick to call out performative activism. She challenges Addie directly when she feels Addie is using DuShawn for political gain.

Kevin is a persistent bully in the seventh grade. He frequently targets unpopular students with physical pranks and cruel insults. He has been antagonistic toward Joe since they were in kindergarten.

Steffi works as a waitress at the local diner where the Gang of Five holds their regular meetings. She patiently handles the loud teenagers who occupy her tables.