Curtis
The story's central character is Curtis, a ten-year-old depressed orphan who escapes from child pornography. The author describes Curtis as a hopeless boy who becomes a criminal because of unfortunate circumstances.
Before escaping to the streets, Curtis lives with his owner (pornographic producer), who defiles him while filming. When Curtis gets an opportunity to escape, he steals his owner's gun and runs to the streets. While in the streets, Curtis joins Boobie, and Curl, forming a formidable criminal gang that terrorizes residents. To avoid arrest, Curtis and his friends move from one place to the other, and at last, they end up in the woods.
Curl
Curl is Boobie's girlfriend. Curl is 14 years old and initially lives with her aunt in Bolingbrook, Illinois. The author describes Curl as a kind, caring girl who treats Curtis as his younger brother. Curl believes she is superstitious, which explains why she is dating Boobie, a man she saw in her dreams. Like Curtis, Curl is a hopeless child because her aunt is abusive, and she ends up in the streets to search for a better life. Unfortunately, Curl ends up in prostitution and crime. Curl dies in the woods after the police chase them from the streets.
Boobie
Boobie is a 17-year-old young man who is violent, unruly and ambitious. Boobie and his younger brother live with their wealthy parents in Joliet, Illinois. One day, Boobie decides to kill his parents and kidnaps his younger brother. Boobie takes his younger brother to the streets to sell him. Boobie works closely with Curtis and his girlfriend, Curl. Throughout the novel, Boobie remains mysterious because he vanishes into the snow towards the end.
Boobie’s young brother
Boobie's younger brother is an unnamed infant kidnapped by his brother. Boobie's younger brother has blue eyes, and he is calm. Boobie considers his younger brother an income source because he intends to sell him to the highest bidder.
Seldom
Seldom is the Good Samaritan that saves Curtis and Boobie's younger brother after Curl dies and Boobie vanishes into the snow. Seldom is a good-hearted man who considers Curtis and Boobie's younger brothers his biological kids. Curtis experiences new love and compassion, which makes him realize that there is life outside of crime.
Frisco
Frisco is Curl's aunt living in Bolingbrook, Illinois. Frisco is a disabled woman who turns her anger on her niece, Curl. Frisco mistreats Curl, forcing her to run from home into the streets, where she becomes a prostitute and criminal.
