July

July is one of the novel's protagonists and primary narrators. Just ten months younger than her older sister, September, July's identity is deeply entangled with her sisterhood. Although she is a more timid and happier child than September, she quickly begins imitating everything September does. She adopts September's speech mannerisms, her habits and preferences. As they get older, July continues clinging to her sister. She only feels real, alive, when tethered to September. Her desire to please her sister is so strong that July even obeys everything September tells her to do. No matter how dangerous, July knows these dares are tests of her love. She often harms herself in order to please September, and then refuses to tattle on her sister when their mother asks. July's loyalty is so profound that she even feels guilty for communicating with her crush, Ryan, without telling September.

Though she is...