Efrén Divided Character List

Efrén Nava

Efrén is the story’s protagonist and the eldest sibling in his family. Efrén is the son of undocumented Mexican immigrants living in America. The author depicts Efrén as a responsible young boy who supports his mother in raising his twin siblings. When Efrén's mother is deported to Mexico, Efrén cares for his siblings by ensuring they eat and attend school.

Efrén is a supportive boy because he helps his father with ideas on how they can bring their mother back. Efrén knows that coyotes must be paid a bribe to enable her mother safely cross the border. When the father raises enough money, Efrén offers to deliver the money to his mother in person to ensure she safely returns to reunite with the family. Efrén is also a visionary leader because he contests for the seat of presidency in his school, and he gets massive support from the entire school and his top competitors.

Max

Max is Mia’s twin brother and younger sibling to Efrén. Mia is a calm child who is respectful and observant. Whenever the mother prepares him for school, he waits patiently without troubling his siblings. Max is also protective because he takes care of Mia while in school.

Mia

Mia is Max’s twin sister and younger sibling to Efrén. Unlike Max, Mia is a talkative and active child who loves playing and interacting with other children. In addition, Mia is clever and respectful.

Efrén’s mother (Ama)

Efrén’s mother is an icon and symbol of sacrifice in the novel. Efrén’s mother sacrifices her happiness to ensure her family is comfortable despite the harsh economic situation. However, Efrén’s mother is always worried because she is an undocumented immigrant in the United States of America. One day, the immigration officers catch up with Ama and deport her. When Efrén comes from school, he finds his mother missing and receives news that she was deported. Efrén and his father work tirelessly to bring Ama back safely.

Efrén’s father (Apa)

Apa is a dedicated father and husband who wants to ensure his family lives comfortably. Apa works for long hours to cater to the needs of his family. Apa is an undocumented immigrant living in fear of being deported if the immigration officers find him. When Ama is deported, Apa works extra hours to raise money to pay coyotes to ensure she returns to reunite with the family.

David

David is Efrén’s closest friend in school. During the elections, David applies to become the new school’s president. David shares his manifesto with Efrén, but it is not convincing enough because it is entirely unrealistic. For instance, David suggests that if he becomes president, he will order students not to do their assignments and homework. David becomes furious when he discovers that Efrén is supporting his competitor, Jennifer, whose manifesto is appealing. Later, David makes a paradoxical decision to support Efrén for the presidency.

Jennifer Huerta

Jennifer is the top contestant in the upcoming elections. Jennifer is an intelligent girl who knows the challenges affecting the school. Jennifer’s mother is an undocumented immigrant, and she knows the challenges the children of immigrants go through. One of Jennifer’s proposals in her manifesto is to request the government to support the children of immigrant parents when their parents are deported. When Jennifer’s mother is deported, she decides to leave with her, but she later returns to pursue her plans.