Joseph / Jojo
Jojo, one of the novel's three narrators, has just turned thirteen years old. He lives in the fictional town of Bois Sauvage, Mississippi with his mother, sister, and grandparents. His father, Michael, is imprisoned and has been mostly absent throughout Jojo's life. Due to his mother's drug abuse problem, Jojo cares for himself and for his younger sister, Kayla. Although Jojo's family life is not easy, he is deeply loved by his grandparents, Mam and Pop. Their nurturing allows him to be healthy and well-adjusted. Later in the story, we learn that Jojo has the ability to see ghosts.
Leonie
Leonie is another one of the story's narrators. She is Jojo and Kayla's mother, and she lives with her parents "Mam" and "Pop." Her boyfriend, Michael, is currently imprisoned at Parchman and is the father of her children. The fact that Leonie and Michael have different racial backgrounds complicates their relationship dynamic, as it challenges social norms and is disapproved of by Michael's family. Leonie works as a bartender and is addicted to meth. Due to her addiction, she is unable to provide adequately for her children. Her addiction is fueled by her grief following the death of her brother, Given. Leonie feels guilty about not being a good mother, and her emotions often manifest in physical abuse.
Mam / Philomene
Mam, whose birth name is Philomene, is Jojo's maternal grandmother. At the beginning of the story, we learn that Mam is seriously ill with cancer. Despite her herbal healing remedies, her health continues to deteriorate. Mam helped raise Jojo and provided him with a stable, loving environment. She has supernatural powers, which allows her to have a wise, healing and caring perspective on life. This spirituality is later transferred to Jojo and Kayla. Mam's death at the end of the novel deeply affects the entire family unit.
Pop / River
Pop, whose birth name is River, is Jojo's maternal grandfather. Like Mam, Pop is also spiritual and connected to nature. When Jojo turns thirteen, Pop begins to divulge some painful details about his life. We learn that Pop was wrongfully imprisoned at Parchman at a young age. While there, Pop grew close to Richie, a twelve-year-old inmate. As the story progresses, we learn that Pop has had to make difficult decisions in order to protect his loved ones in a cruel and unjust world. Pop is deeply affected by the death of his wife, his one true love.
Michael
Michael is Jojo's biological father. He has been absent for much of Jojo's life due to his imprisonment. Michael's family has overtly discriminated against Leonie and their children on the basis of race. In addition, Michael's cousin killed Given, Leonie's brother. Michael previously worked on an oil rig, but he was laid off after an explosion at the rig killed eleven of his coworkers. This experience traumatizes Michael and leads him into the world of meth production and drug addiction. Michael's relationship with Leonie is all-consuming, which leads him to abandon his children.
Kayla
Kayla, whose full name is "Michaela," is Jojo's three-year-old sister. She was named after her father, Michael. Kayla was born while Michael was imprisoned, so she does not know her father. Kayla is attached to Jojo and relies on him as a protector and parental figure. Kayla is subject to abuse, and she frequently displays some physical symptoms of negligence. At the conclusion of the story, the audience learns that Kayla has supernatural powers like Mam and Jojo.
Richie
Richie was a twelve-year-old boy who Pop took under his wing while they were both imprisoned at Parchman. He ran away from the facility and was hunted by the prison guards and the local community. Richie died suddenly, and now he is a ghost; he is unsure of the circumstances of his death. When Jojo goes to Parchman to retrieve Michael, Richie follows him home because a spirit instructed him to do so. He aims to discover how he died in hopes of finding resolution and passing to the next stage of the afterlife. Richie later discovers that Pop (River) killed him to prevent him from being tortured and lynched.
Given
Given was Leonie's younger brother. He was a star athlete who was well-loved by his community. Given was murdered by Michael's cousin in a racially motivated attack. Later, Given comes back as a ghost only visible to Leonie when she is high. When Mam passes away, Jojo is able to see Given as well.
Misty
Misty is Leonie's coworker at the bar. Leonie refers to her as the "closest thing she has to a friend." Misty has a boyfriend that is also imprisoned at Parchman, so she accompanies the family when they go to pick up Michael. Misty enables Leonie's addictive tendencies, and the two cook, purchase, and sell meth together.
Al
Al is Michael's lawyer. When Leonie takes Jojo and Kayla to his house, Jojo discovers that he also does drugs.
Big Joseph
Big Joseph is Michael's father. Jojo is named after him. Big Joseph, who is overtly racist, deeply disapproves of his son's relationship with Leonie. Big Joseph was a sheriff who helped cover up his nephew's murder of Given, which further adds to the intra-familial tension. When Michael visits his parents after his release from Parchman, he has a physical brawl with Big Joseph which results in them both injuring themselves.
Maggie
Maggie is Michael's mother. She tries to have an amicable relationship with her son and his family, although it is clear that she disapproves of his marriage to Leonie as well.
