D.J. Schwenk

D.J. is the protagonist of the novel. She is a high school sophomore with three brothers. She loves football and is the first girl in her high school to try out for the football team. She also falls in love with Brian Nelson, although it takes her most of the book to admit it.

Dad

D.J.'s father is a long-time farmer who hurt his hip using the manuer spreader and has to use a walker. He makes the family meals and gradually becomes better at cooking throughout the novel. He is also very stubborn and chooses to remain silent and not deal with things when he gets upset or hurt.

Curtis

Curtis is the narrator's very quiet younger brother who is an excellent baseball player. He is the character foil to D.J. It is eventually revealed that he wants to be a...