Sara is a young, creative Jewish girl growing up in the comfortable village of Aubervilliers-aux-Bois. She has a talent for art and enjoys daydreaming, often prioritizing fashion and social standing over practical concerns. When the Nazi occupation reaches her home, her sheltered life is abruptly threatened, forcing her to rely on the kindness of others to survive.

Julien is a quiet, highly intelligent student who sits next to Sara at the École Lafayette. Having contracted polio as a child, he walks with a noticeable limp, earning him the cruel nickname "Tourteau" from his classmates. Despite enduring constant ridicule and ostracization, he maintains a quiet dignity and displays immense courage when confronted with injustice.

Vincent is a popular, handsome older student at the École Lafayette. He uses his social standing to actively seek out and torment vulnerable students, particularly Julien. As the political situation worsens, his personal cruelty finds a sanctioned outlet in the violent ideology of the occupying forces, making him a severe threat to his classmates.

Vivienne is Julien's mother, a resilient woman living in the poorer village of Dannevilliers. She strongly believes that human beings hold the responsibility to stop evil in the world, actively translating this belief into action. She goes to extraordinary lengths to care for those in need, taking perilous routes and rationing her own supplies to bring comfort to others.

Jean-Paul is Julien's father and a sewer worker by trade. He is a quiet, steadfast man who does not hesitate to risk his own life and freedom to harbor a child from the authorities. His knowledge of the town's underground and practical skills make him essential to his family's survival efforts.

Max is Sara's father, a respected surgeon in their community. He is a practical and observant man who quickly recognizes the mounting danger posed by the incoming occupation. He encourages his daughter to remain strong and see the light in people, even as he urges his family to consider fleeing the country.

Rose is Sara's mother, a highly educated university mathematics teacher. She loves her life in France and remains optimistic that her family's citizenship and non-religious status will protect them from persecution. Her desire to maintain a sense of normalcy deeply influences the family's choices during the early days of the occupation.

Julian is a modern-day student living in the year 2019. He is working on a humanities project and reaches out to his grandmother to document her experiences during World War II. He harbors his own regrets about past mistakes at school and hopes to learn from his family's history.

Pastor Luc is the director of the École Lafayette. Operating a school based on Enlightenment principles, he welcomes children of all faiths. He uses his authority to quietly resist the occupation, working with underground groups to protect the vulnerable children in his care.

Mademoiselle Petitjean is the mathematics teacher at the École Lafayette. She is patient and gentle with her students, never harshly reprimanding Sara for daydreaming during lessons. When officers arrive at the school, she prioritizes the safety and emotional wellbeing of her students above all else.

Monsieur Lafleur lives next door to the Beaumiers in Dannevilliers. Following the occupation, he and his wife become highly reclusive, spending most of their time watching the street from their window. This sudden change in behavior makes him a source of suspicion and fear for his neighbors.

Madame Lafleur is the Beaumiers' neighbor. She used to be friendly with Vivienne before the war, but the changing political climate has driven a wedge between their households. She now remains hidden behind her curtains, maintaining a quiet distance from the rest of the village.

Rabbi Bernstein is a local religious leader in the community. He and his family recognize the incoming threat early and make the difficult choice to disappear. His sudden absence serves as a major warning sign for the other Jewish families in the village.

Jérôme is one of Vincent's loyal followers at school. He acts as an intimidating presence, backing up Vincent's cruel behavior and helping him terrorize the weaker students in their village.

Paul is another of Vincent's companions at the École Lafayette. He provides physical muscle for Vincent's bullying, using his size and presence to ensure their targets cannot easily escape harassment.

Ruth is one of Sara's childhood friends in Aubervilliers-aux-Bois. She experiences the sudden raid on the school alongside the rest of their class, serving as a firsthand witness to the escalating danger.