Jude
Jude is one of the protagonists in this novel, along with her twin brother Noah. In the first half of the novel, Jude is high spirited and loving, an extrovert with lots of friends, an adrenaline junky with a passion for surfing and cliff diving. After a personal tragedy her personality changes to quite the opposite. Suddenly, she is closed off and has withdrawn into herself. She becomes obsessed with what she calls "the bible" which is a notebook full of home remedies and good luck charms that her grandmother gave to her upon passing. Jude starts dressing in all black and has cut off her golden locks in favor of a short pixie cut. She attends an art school that she thinks she is not good enough to be in. Her art work always breaks, which earned her the nickname "Calamity Jane" or CJ for short. Her resurgence into the art world helps her cope with unresolved feelings.
Noah
Noah is Jude's twin brother and also a protagonist of this story. In the beginning of the novel Noah. is shy, and spends most of his time alone and drawing. He draws so much that he has in his head what he calls "The Invisible Museum", which is a collection of paintings he draws in his head. Noah falls in love with The Boy Next Door and struggles to cope with his sexuality in a less than accepting culture. The tragedy that affects Jude affects Noah as well and he too experiences a dramatic shift in character. Now he is sporty, outgoing and everything that Jude used to be.
Grandma Sweetwine
Grandma Sweetwine is Noah and Jude's grandmother. She passes away early on in the novel, but because Jude was with her when she died, Jude believes that Grandma is still with her. Jude holds conversations with her grandmother whenever she is in need of advice, and often visualizes Grandma floating along next to her. Grandma Sweetwine was a dressmaker during her life and this inspires Jude to make her own line of clothing which she calls "floating dresses" after her grandmothers line. Grandma Sweetwine is also the one who gave Jude the "bible" that she later follows almost religiously.
Dianna
Noah and Jude's mother. The main role that Dianna plays in this novel is to nurture her kid's artistic talents. She encourages them both to apply to California School of Arts or CSA. She takes her kids to museums and watches them sketch then picks whose art she thinks it best. She constantly picks Noah's, Jude's talent lies more in sculpture as the reader later finds out. Noah, pining for the affection of his mother, destroys most of Jude's sand sculpture before Dianna can see them. She passes away early in the novel, but her harsh criticism of Jude lingers.
Brian
Brian is The Boy Next Door. Noah falls hopelessly in love with him the moment he sees him. Noah spends hours making beautiful drawings of Brian with his beautiful eyes. Brian is a nerd with a passion for rocks and space. When Dianna walks in on Noah and Brian in a state of undress Brain freaks out because he is not out of the closet yet. As a big-time athlete at his school back home, this secret could ruin his reputation.
Guillermo Garcia
Guillermo is a world-renowned Spanish sculptor who has suffered a mental break down and thus is no longer accepting students. Jude is pointed his way by her guidance counselor, who thinks she might be able to convince him to take her on as an apprentice. He shares many surprising connections to her family that are reviled throughout her studies.
Oscar
Oscar is the town's bad boy. He rides around on his motorbike, romancing women with his British accent, and photographing the town and its residents. It's not long before he sets his, and his camera's, sights on Jude. He lives with Guillermo, and they share a special bond.
