Monica Sone, Kazuko
Monica Sone’s Japanese name is Kazuko, as is revealed early on in the book. She was born in the United States while the rest of her older family was born and mostly raised in Japan. This created a clear divide between herself and her younger siblings with her parents and extended family. As she grows up in a Japanese household, she quickly realizes that she is different from many of the American’s, while she doesn’t truly fit in with the Japanese either.
Henry Sone
Henry is Sone’s older brother. He – just like Monica – doesn’t fit in to either cultures, or gets angry when they are forced to attend Japanese school in addition to Grammar School. Henry falls ill when they go to Japan, though he gets better. He has a girlfriend who he adores, and they get engaged around the middle of the book, before they finally get married.
Kenji Sone
Kenji Sone is the youngest boy in the family and is introduced in the fourth chapter since he was born so late. He is similar to the other American-born-Japanese kids, though when he goes to Japan, he gets sick from dysentery, much like Henry, though he doesn’t survive due to his young age. This is one of the biggest and saddest parts of the book.
