Leon
Leon is the story's protagonist, a 9-year-old boy who takes up the responsibility of caring for his brother and mother. The author describes Leon as an intelligent child who thinks ahead of his time. When Leon's brother, Jake, is born, Leon knows that it is his responsibility to protect him and care for his mother because she is mentally challenged.
When Leon's mother suffers a nervous breakdown, the children are taken up by social services and put in public for adoption. Leon's life changes abruptly because he will no longer care for his younger brother and mother. Jake is adopted quickly by foster parents because he is white, unlike Leon, who is biracial. Despite all the challenges Leon goes through, he makes friends who teach him how to survive in a racially divided country.
Jake
Jake is Leon's younger brother and son to Carol and a white father. Jake is a British, who the author describes as sharp, focused, and composed. When Jake is put up for adoption, he quickly gets foster parents who take him up because he is a British child.
Carol
Carol is the mother of Leon and Jake. Regardless of being a caring and loving mother, Carol is psychologically unstable and cannot care for her children. The children's fathers are absent throughout their lives. When Carol suffers a nervous breakdown, the social services take her children and put them in public for adoption.
Maureen
Maureen is the foster parent who takes care of Leon. Leon describes Maureen as a good-hearted woman who cares for him like her biological children. Unfortunately, Maureen suffers a stroke, and she is hospitalized. Maureen's sickness is a setback for Leon because he is left without a parent to care for him. Leon decides to roam freely to look for friends.
Tufty
Tufty is a West Indian immigrant in England. Tufty is a good man who treats Leon as his son. Tufty knows the challenges the outsiders (immigrants), and encourages Leon to be strong and work hard in whatever he does to secure a better future.
Mr. Devlin
Mr. Devlin is a close friend of Tufty. Mr. Devlin agrees to help Tufty to care for Leon. Mr. Devlin teaches Leon how to plant seeds and keep himself preoccupied instead of thinking of his challenges as an immigrant. Mr. Devlin is a loving man who treats Leon as his child and guides him on how to be a man.
