Kim Hà
Hà is the novel's ten-year-old protagonist and narrator. Hà describes herself as having straight, black hair and olive skin. Amid the upheaval of her life, Hà maintains an optimistic if somewhat naïve outlook. Hà is fond of snacks.
Hà’s Mother
Hà's mother is both tender and strong. While she is the source of love and comfort for her children, she is also witty and displays wisdom in her explanations. Hà describes her as having sunken eyes, too-hollow cheeks, and a mouth dark with worries—a physical appearance that attests to her grief.
Brother Quang
Quang is Hà's oldest brother. At 21, he is very intelligent and already speaks English prior to the journey, so he acts as a translator once they land in the United States. His engineering background leads him to work as a car mechanic in Alabama before resuming college.
Brother Vū
Brother Vū is the middle brother at 18 years old. He is the least hesitant and most excited to flee to the United States due to his love for the actor Bruce Lee. He has a passion for martial arts and teaches students in the family's yard in Alabama. Toward the end of the novel, he acquires a motorcycle, which he uses to pick Hà up from school.
Brother Khôi
Khôi is the youngest of the three brothers at 14 years old. From the beginning of the story, he has a passion for animals. At the end of the novel, he expresses a desire to become a veterinarian.
Miss Scott
Miss Scott teaches Hà’s fourth-grade class in Alabama. Although she has good intentions to help Hà feel welcome, her condescending efforts to include Hà and her Vietnamese background in lessons often embarrasses Hà.
Mrs. Washington
Mrs. Washington is one the few Alabaman neighbors who welcomes Hà's family. Mrs. Washington gives Hà English lessons after school. She later reveals that her son died while fighting in the Vietnam War.
Uncle Son
Uncle Son is an old friend of Hà's father. He helps the family emigrate by letting Hà's mother know about a navy vessel (repurposed as a refugee ship) about to leave Saigon.
The Cowboy
The cowboy is the Alabaman man who sponsors Hà's family to leave the refugee camp in Florida. Though he does not own a horse, he wears a cowboy hat and boots. Hà loves him at first sight.
Pink Boy
Pink Boy is a bully at Hà's school. She names him Pink Boy because of his pink skin.
Pam
Pam is a friend Hà makes at school. She is white, and has long red hair.
Steven
Steven is a friend Hà makes at school. He is African-American; he has a shaved head and dresses in a suit with a bowtie.
TiTi
TiTi is Hà's best friend in Saigon. Early in the novel TiTi and her wealthy family flee Saigon for Vung Tau.
Hà's Father
Hà's father is a South Vietnam navy soldier. He has been missing in action for nine years, captured by Communist soldiers in the North. By the end of the novel, Hà's mother concludes that he is gone forever, likely dead.
