Meena Kumar
The novel’s narrator and protagonist, Meena is a nine-year-old British Indian school girl who struggles to find a sense of belonging, while balancing her kaleidoscopic interests and identity. Meena’s fascinated by dead birds and violent stories, but also likes fashion and avidly reads Jackie teen magazine; she sings Punjabi with a Birmingham accent; she’s mischievous and she’s studious. Prone to comedic exaggeration and irony, with the occasional touch of sentimental reflection, Meena’s voice guides the reader through the expansive world of Tollington.
Mrs. Kumar (Daljit Kumar)
Mother to Meena, Mrs. Kumar is a source of stability in Meena’s life, admired by Meena for her composure and social grace. Mrs. Kumar is a school teacher, balancing raising Meena and newborn Sunil, whilst coping with the deep longing she feels for her family back in India.
Mr. Kumar (Shyam Kumar)
Father to Meena, Mr. Kumar works hard to instill in Meena the values of honesty, filiality, and respect. Although his occupation is unknown to Meena, he is noted for his extroversion and performative nature: in India he had the opportunity to be an actor, and in Tollington he hosts musical gatherings with his family and friends.
Anita Rutter
The novel’s second titular character, Anita is Meena’s 13-year-old neighbor, known for her rebellious and outspoken personality. Sometimes Meena’s role model, at other times Meena’s enemy, Anita plays a central role in Meena’s self-discovery. Anita is a complex character, admired by Meena for her irreverence, pitied by Meena for her dysfunctional home life, and disliked by Meena for her implication in Sam Lowbridge’s racism.
Tracey Rutter
Tracey is Anita’s timid younger sister. She is protective of Anita, but because of her young age lacks the capacity to adequately help her sister when faced with mature concerns about sexuality and child abuse.
Deirdre Rutter
Deirdre is Anita’s absent mother, noted by Meena for her overt sexuality: she has an affair with one of Anita’s boyfriends, and is seen sneaking out of men’s cars at late hours. Halfway through the novel, Deirdre runs away, leaving her two daughters, Anita and Tracey, to be raised alone by their father.
Sunil Kumar
Meena’s baby brother, Sunil is demanding of Mrs. Kumar’s attention, leaving Meena free to explore her own identity. Adored by family and friends, he is a precocious baby, the largest newborn in Tollington, with his first words being a full sentence spoken in a blend of English and Punjabi.
Nanima
Meena’s maternal grandmother, Nanima travels from India to help Mrs. Kumar raise newborn Sunil. Meena feels deep affection towards Nanima, who isn’t afraid to laugh at a fart joke and is accepting of Meena’s rambunctious behavior. Although only fluent in Punjabi, Nanima has a canny ability to discern Meena’s secrets.
Sam Lowbridge
A 16-year-old 'bad boy,' Sam is one of the novel’s main antagonists. He is the head of a neighborhood biker gang, and later Anita’s boyfriend. Although Meena and Sam share a mutual fondness for Anita, Sam’s repeated and public xenophobia—from shouted slurs to physical assault—leaves Meena deeply hurt, confused, and angry.
Sherrie
One of Anita’s closest friends (less graciously: one of Anita’s sidekicks), Sherrie comes from a farm family, and regularly hosts Anita and Meeta at her horse stable—even if she lacks a strong affinity for Meena.
Fat Sally
The second of Anita’s closest friends, Fat Sally strives to fit in amongst Anita and Sherrie, despite her wealthier, Catholic upbringing.
Uncle Alan
Uncle Alan is the youth leader at Tollington’s Methodist church, and an active community member. He attempts to combat Tollington’s growing racism, often unsuccessfully, while maintaining his values of compassion and compromise.
Mr. Ormerod
Mr. Ormerod is the owner of Tollington’s grocery shop, the backdrop to several scenes of conflict in Meena’s narrative: multiple times, Meena is caught stealing from Mr. Ormerod; later Meena mistakenly believes Mr. Ormerod has cheated her Nanima, by overcharging Nanima sixpence. Because of Mr. Ormerod’s religion and racial prejudice, he has a tenuous relationship with the Kumars.
Auntie Shaila
Mother to Pinky and Baby, Auntie Shaila is one of the Kumars’ closest family friends. At times, she is like a second mother to Meena, helping to guide and educate Meena, for example teaching Meena Hindu religious customs.
Pinky and Baby
Always paired together, sisters Pinky and Baby are the daughters of Auntie Shaila and Uncle Amman, looked down upon by Meena for being goody-two-shoes. After stealing from Mr. Ormerod’s shop, Meena falsely accuses Pinky and Baby, to save herself from punishment.
Uncle Amman
Uncle Amman is the husband to Auntie Shaila and father to Pinky and Baby. He is a quiet family man.
Mrs. Worrall
Meena’s next-door neighbor, who stoically takes care of her nonverbal husband, unvisited by her children or grandchildren. She is well-liked by the Kumars, and in the novel’s action teaches Meena to make lemon curd tarts.
Mr. Worrall
Husband to Mrs. Worrall, Mr. Worrall was left severely disabled, needing a wheelchair and unable to form words, after serving in World War II.
Hairy Neddy
Initially Tollington’s only bachelor, and later Sandy’s husband, Hairy Neddy is Anita’s friendly, music-playing neighbor.
Sandy
One of Meena’s neighbors and a divorcee, Sandy is noted for her comedic attempts at wooing Hairy Neddy, as well as her slipshod stuffed animal stand at the Spring Fete.
Mr. Topsy/Turvey
Mr. Turvey is one of Meena’s neighbors, initially called Mr. Topsy, because Meena avoids learning his name after he mispronounces Meena’s name. Meena is jealous of his flower-filled, gnome-decorated garden. Later, Meena is surprised to learn that Mr. Turvey speaks fluent Punjabi, after being deployed in India as part of the British military.
Robert
Meena’s adjoining neighbor in the hospital, Robert maintains a lighthearted and charming personality despite suffering from a severe and debilitating illness. Meena and Robert converse daily via handwritten notes through the glass partition separating their rooms, and ultimately become girlfriend and boyfriend.
Mireille
One of the unknown occupants of the Big House mansion, Mireille is a French emigre living alone with her husband Harinder Singh.
Harinder Singh (Harry)
Husband of Mireille, Harry is a wealthy Indian emigre and alumnus of Cambridge, living secretly in the Big House to avoid outside conflict with Tollington and his family abroad.
