Lucia is a fourteen-year-old girl living in Cuba at the onset of Fidel Castro's revolution. Initially preoccupied with fashion, boys, and her upcoming fifteenth birthday, she views the political changes around her with youthful innocence. As the political climate grows dangerous, she is forced to grow up quickly and take responsibility for herself and her younger brother.

Mrs. Baxter is an older woman who serves as a foster parent for Cuban refugee children in Grand Island, Nebraska. Though she holds some misconceptions about Cuban culture, she is genuinely kind, hardworking, and eager to make the children feel safe.

Frankie is Lucia's seven-year-old brother. He is playful and energetic but struggles to process the abrupt changes in his life. When separated from his parents, he relies heavily on his older sister for comfort and stability.

Ivette is Lucia's carefree, fashion-obsessed best friend in Cuba. As the revolution progresses, Ivette becomes deeply involved with the Jovenes Rebeldes and embraces the new political ideology. Her shifting loyalties create a growing divide between her and Lucia.

Laura is a classmate of Lucia and Ivette whose social standing falls after her father is targeted by the government. She shares quiet solidarity with others whose families oppose the revolution.

Manuel is a teenage boy in Puerto Mijares and the object of Lucia's early romantic daydreams. He joins the brigadistas to teach in the countryside, adopting the aggressive rhetoric of the revolution.

Sonia is Lucia and Frankie's mother. She is strict but deeply loving, attempting to shelter her children from the escalating political danger. She carries a distinctive bright red umbrella that serves as a quiet symbol of her individuality.

Fernando is Lucia's father, a bank employee who silently opposes Castro's regime. He attempts to protect his family's savings and future while keeping a low profile, though his lack of participation in the revolution draws dangerous attention.

Antonio is Fernando's brother who joins the local Committee for the Defense of the Revolution. His embrace of the new government policies puts him at direct odds with his own family.

Mr. Baxter is Mrs. Baxter's husband and a farmer in Grand Island, Nebraska. He is a quiet, steady presence in the foster home, providing structure and occasional unexpected kindnesses to the children.

Jennifer is an American high school student who immediately befriends Lucia. She helps Lucia adjust to a new language and culture, offering social protection from less welcoming peers.

Eddie is an American boy in Lucia's homeroom class. He shows a friendly, respectful interest in her, providing a clear contrast to the boys she knew back home.

Betty is a local high school girl who targets Lucia with petty bullying. She resents the attention Lucia receives and mocks her secondhand clothing.

Angela is a Cuban refugee girl who shares a bunk with Lucia at the temporary shelter in Florida. She explains the rules of the facility before leaving for her own foster home.

Doc Machado is a respected pharmacist in Puerto Mijares. He attempts to organize peaceful discussions about the government's changes, leading to severe consequences that serve as a brutal awakening for the town.