Reuben Land
The eleven-year-old narrator who is loyal to his family and a careful observer. He has struggled with breathing since he was born and he is often the only witness to his father's miracles.
Jeremiah Land
Reuben's religious father who can perform various miracles. He is the protector of the family and leads his youngest children after Davy.
Swede Land
Reuben's younger sisters who has a flair for drama and writing. She is wise beyond her years and is briefly kidnapped by Israel Finch and Tommy Basca.
Davy Land
Reuben's older brother who shoots Israel Finch and Tommy Basca when they enter the Lands' home in the middle of the night. He escapes from jail during his trial and goes on the run to the Badlands in North Dakota.
August Shultz
Jeremiah's lifelong friend whom the Lands visit in North Dakota to shoot geese. August also gives Davy an old car when he is on the run from the police.
Birdie Shultz
August's wife who helps Davy when he is on the run.
Roxanna Cawley
A woman who operates a gas station in the Badlands where the Lands stop to refill while chasing after Davy. She provides them a home to stay in, taking on the role of mother to the children, and eventually she and Jeremiah get married.
Martin Andreeson
The federal investigator who is charged with finding Davy and is killed by Jape Waltzer.
Jape Waltzer
The man who houses Davy in the Badlands and is the antithesis of Jeremiah. He kills Andreeson who was looking for Davy as well as Jeremiah when Davy and Sara escape from his cabin.
Israel Finch
One of the teenagers who attacked Davy's girlfriend and kidnapped Swede before being killed by Davy.
Tommy Basca
One of the teenagers who attacked Davy's girlfriend and kidnapped Swede before being killed by Davy.
Sara
The young girl that Jape Waltzer is raising as a daughter before intending to marry her. She escapes from Waltzer's cabin with Davy and eventually marries Reuben.
