Aref is a curious, thoughtful third-grade student who attends The American International School of Muscat. He feels deeply attached to his home in Oman, his grandfather, and his extensive rock collection. Faced with an impending three-year move to Michigan, he feels intensely anxious about leaving his familiar surroundings. He loves animals, particularly turtles, and often uses their behavior to process his own feelings about migration.

Sidi is Aref's retired grandfather who has lived in Muscat his entire life. He maintains a cheerful, patient demeanor and purposefully avoids rushing through his days. Through whimsical storytelling and local excursions to beaches and deserts, he gently prepares his grandson for international travel without ever minimizing the boy's anxiety.

Both of Aref's parents work as professors at a university in Muscat. They are moving the family to Ann Arbor, Michigan, so they can earn their doctorates. The father travels ahead of the rest of the family, leaving the mother behind to manage the packing process and handle Aref's profound hesitation about the trip. They maintain a family tradition of recording new daily discoveries in notebooks.

Mish-Mish is the Al-Amri family's pet cat. She remains at the house in Muscat while Aref and his parents travel to the United States. Her welfare becomes a major source of anxiety for Aref, who fears his visiting cousins will not care for her properly.

Diram is Aref's best friend in Oman. He is a thoughtful boy who presents Aref with a custom t-shirt featuring printed photos of the two of them. This gesture prompts Aref to give him a prized turquoise stone from his rock collection in return.

Sulima is a young friend of Aref's who previously lived in the United States for two years. Having experienced a similar international move, she passes on practical advice about visiting American ice cream parlors and skating rinks.

Ummi Salwa is a 100-year-old neighbor in the Al-Amri family's community. She is a respected elder who gives Aref a pack of tangerines and a box of chocolates while offering traditional blessings for his upcoming trip.

Mohammed is a local man who shares a given name with Sidi. He hosts Sidi and Aref during a detour on their way to the desert. His brief visit demonstrates Sidi's widespread community connections throughout Oman.

Naveed is a cook who has worked at the desert camp for two years. He views the harsh desert as a friendly, welcoming environment and provides the travelers with curried vegetables and rice after their long drive.

Jamal is a dedicated falconer who visits the Night of a Thousand Stars camp. He spends long, demanding hours training his bird and patiently guides Aref through the process of holding the powerful animal on his arm.

Fil-Fil is a highly disciplined falcon trained by Jamal. The bird's flight patterns provide Sidi with a visual metaphor to explain migration, which helps Aref understand that leaving home does not prevent a safe return.

Moussa is a cheerful local fisherman who captains a boat named *Mabsoot* (Happy). He accommodates Sidi's unusual request for a brief maritime trip, allowing Aref to experience the thrill of being untethered from land.