August is a ten-year-old boy born with a genetic condition that significantly alters his facial structure. After undergoing numerous surgeries and being homeschooled his entire life, he prepares to enter a mainstream middle school for the first time. He loves Star Wars, science, and video games. Despite the isolation caused by his appearance, he handles social interactions with quiet humor and a desire for normalcy.

Olivia is a high school freshman who has spent her life accommodating her brother's medical needs. She protects August from public judgment but quietly resents her parents' lack of attention. Starting at a new school gives her a chance to establish an identity separate from her family's challenges.

Isabel and Nate Pullman are highly devoted parents who structure their entire existence around their son's well-being. Isabel paused her career as a children's book illustrator to homeschool him. Nate provides comic relief and tries to ease household tensions with lighthearted jokes. They work to balance their instinct to shelter their son with the reality that he must eventually face the outside world.

Summer is a biracial fifth grader at Beecher Prep who makes decisions based on her own moral compass. She lives with her mother, having lost her military father a few years prior. She values imaginative play and genuine connection over climbing the middle school social ladder.

Jack is a fifth grader whose parents work as a teacher and a social worker. He reluctantly agrees to act as a welcome guide for a new student. While he genuinely enjoys his new friendship, he struggles heavily with the social pressure of associating with an unpopular peer.

Julian is a wealthy student at Beecher Prep who behaves politely in front of adults but bullies his peers in private. He leverages his social influence to isolate anyone who does not fit his standard of normal. His hostile behavior is frequently enabled by his affluent parents.

Miranda is a high school student dealing with her parents' recent divorce. After returning from summer camp with pink hair and a new social persona, she distances herself from her long-time friends. She invents stories about her personal life to gain sympathy and popularity in her new theater group.

Daisy is a rescue dog adopted by Nate Pullman years ago. She serves as a vital source of comfort for the entire household. Because she does not react to human facial differences, she offers unconditional affection to the children.

Mr. Tushman is the director of the middle school at Beecher Prep. He takes a hands-on approach to integrating a new student into his school environment. He orchestrates the welcome buddy program and actively monitors the social dynamics among the fifth graders.

Charlotte is an enthusiastic, high-achieving student at Beecher Prep who loves theater. She is quick to point out rules and correct bad behavior in her peers. She attempts to remain strictly neutral during classroom disputes to protect her standing.

Justin is a high school student from Brooklyn who plays the fiddle and struggles with nervous tics. Coming from a distant family, he finds himself drawn to the warmth of his girlfriend's household. He joins the school theater production and actively looks out for younger kids in his neighborhood.

Mr. Browne is an English teacher at Beecher Prep who writes a monthly motivational quote on the board. He uses these phrases to teach his students about character, decision-making, and personal values.

Amos is a physically strong fifth grader who initially aligns himself with the popular crowd. He closely follows the established social hierarchy before eventually making his own choices regarding playground conflicts.

Henry is a fifth-grade student who participates in classroom exclusion tactics, such as building a physical barrier out of his backpack on the first day of school. He generally follows the lead of more dominant personalities.

Miles is a wealthy student at Beecher Prep who regularly associates with the dominant social clique. He discards an old sled at a local park and replaces it with an expensive new one, representing the affluence of his friend group.

Eddie is an aggressive seventh grader from another school who hangs out in the woods at a nature reserve. He initiates a confrontation when he spots younger students wandering in the dark.

Christopher is a long-time friend of the protagonist who has known him since they were babies. The boys bonded over Star Wars and both grew Padawan braids. His move away from the city pushes his friend to seek new connections at school.