Josh Arnold
Josh is the protagonist and narrator of this novel. After his father volunteers to join the army, Josh is forced to relocate with his mother to New Mexico. Throughout the novel we see him mature, due to the responsibilities and challenges he faces.
Ann Arnold
Anne is Josh’s mother and moves with him to New Mexico. She finds the transition to life in New Mexico very difficult, turning to alcohol in order to cope. This is a huge challenge for Josh, as he struggles to deal with her behavior and actions.
Frank Arnold
Frank is Josh’s father, and volunteers to join the army at the beginning of the novel. He is shown to be a compassionate and honorable character. He owns a shipyard, but feels it is his duty to defend his country in warfare. This sacrifice later inspires Josh to join the army himself. At the end of the text he dies in a mining accident.
Jimbob Buel
Jimbob is a family friend from Mobile, and spends some time living with Josh and his mother. His presence makes Josh’s mother upset, as he reminds her of home.
Amadeo and Excilda Montoya
These characters are the Arnold’s servants in Sagrado. Josh’s mother fires them when she is drunk and angry, but Josh later hires them again. Amadeo looks after the land, while Excilda takes care of domestic chores such as cooking and cleaning.
Viola Lopez
John has a crush on Viola. She is very pious and is the most beautiful girl in school, according to Josh’s peers. However, her brother is Chango, who tells Josh to stay away from her.
Chango Lopez
Chango is the school bully in Sagrado. He is Josh’s enemy, and picks on him when they are younger. He is very protective of his sister Viola.
Marcia
Marcia is one of Josh’s friends, and a resident of Sagrado. She is confident and funny, and often rebels against her father.
Steenie
Josh’s first friend after he moves to Sagrado. Steenie is the son of an obstetrician and is depicted as funny and witty. He has lots of knowledge about anatomy.
Dr. Temple
Ann Arnold’s psychiatrist. She visits him numerous times in the text, but he cannot help her.
Romeo Bonino
An eccentric carpenter who befriends Josh. He was a friend of Frank Arnold and becomes Josh's mentor and father figure in the text.
