Taylor Greer
The
protagonist of the novel, Taylor additionally narrates a lot of the story.
She is a robust, gutsy girl, and her voice is each sassy and sort.
Born and raised in rural Kentucky, she leaves to flee a small
life in her hometown. Like her mom, she is pleased with her Cherokee
blood.
Learn an
in-depth evaluation of Taylor Greer.
Turtle
The
baby given to Taylor in the midst of the Cherokee nation. She
will get her title from her clinginess, which reminds Taylor of the mud
turtles in Kentucky. She is so quiet and unengaged that many imagine
her to be dumb or retarded. This silence, nevertheless, is because of Turtle’s historical past:
though she is simply three years previous, Turtle has already been bodily
and sexually abused. Though Taylor has spent her life avoiding
being pregnant, she retains Turtle together with her.
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in-depth evaluation of Turtle.
Lou Ann Ruiz
A
Kentuckian girl who settled in Tucson together with her child, Dwayne Ray.
Her husband, Angel, has simply walked out on her when the story begins,
and Taylor and Turtle transfer in together with her. She worries concerning the horrible
accidents and horror tales she hears about, fearing for the protection
of herself and her child. Extra delicate and extra provincial than
Taylor, she is nonetheless a survivor.
Mattie
The
proprietor of Jesus Is Lord Used Tires and a mom determine for Taylor.
She is smart and sort. She permits unlawful immigrants to remain in her
dwelling, working a type of sanctuary. Her backyard of lovely greens
and automotive elements is an inspiration for Turtle, whose first phrase is bean and
who loves every kind of greens.
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in-depth evaluation of Mattie.
Estevan
A
Guatemalan refugee, he labored as an English trainer in Guatemala
earlier than he and his spouse fled to america. He speaks lovely
English, and his variety methods encourage romantic emotions in Taylor.
He lives in Mattie’s constructing together with his spouse, Esperanza. He enlightens
Taylor concerning the corruption of Central American governments.
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in-depth evaluation of Estevan.
Esperanza
Estevan’s
spouse. Her grave demeanor is a mirrored image of her sorrowful previous.
Turtle’s presence touches her as a result of Turtle reminds her of the
daughter she needed to depart behind.
Ismene
Estevan
and Esperanza’s daughter, whom they left in Guatemala. She represents
each the horror of political corruption and the desperation that
can necessitate the abandonment of youngsters.
Angel Ruiz
Lou
Ann’s husband, he’s a Mexican man whom
Lou Ann met when he labored within the rodeo in Kentucky. Angel’s prosthetic
leg—the results of a pickup truck accident—wounds his delight terribly
and makes him sad.
Alice Greer
Taylor’s
mom, who lives in Kentucky. In Chapter One, Taylor says that
her mom expects the perfect from her daughter and thinks that no matter
Taylor does is great. An encouraging, variety mom, she is the one
a part of Taylor’s hometown that Taylor misses when she leaves.
Learn an
in-depth evaluation of Alice Greer.
Dwayne Ray
Lou
Ann’s son. He was born on New 12 months’s Day.
Newt Hardbine
A
classmate of Taylor’s. He drops out earlier than commencement to assist his
household on its farm and dies earlier than Taylor leaves Pittman County.
He represents what might have been Taylor’s destiny had she not
had a beautiful mom and the dedication to
depart city.
Mrs. Virgie Parsons
Lou Ann’s grumpy neighbor, who typically baby-sits
for the kids. She makes insensitive remarks about immigrants.
Edna Poppy
The
blind girl who lives with Mrs. Parsons. She is way hotter than
her roommate.
Cynthia
The
social employee who comes over after Turtle’s run-in with a miscreant
within the park. Her prim perspective annoys Taylor, however her intentions
are good.
Mr. Jonas Wilford Armistead
The authorized authority in
Oklahoma Metropolis who oversees Turtle’s adoption. An
previous white man, he treats Esperanza and Estevan like ignorant foreigners.
Granny Logan
Lou
Ann’s grandmother. She is provincial and harbors many prejudices
about Angel’s nationality. She hates the arid local weather in Tucson
and brings Lou Ann water from the Tug Fork River in Kentucky so
that she might baptize Dwayne Ray correctly.
Ivy
Lou
Ann’s mom. She fights perpetually with Granny Logan, her mother-in-law.
Like Granny Logan, she is provincial and has little interest in seeing
Arizona.
Mrs. Hoge and Irene
The mom and daughter, respectively, who run the
Damaged Arrow Motor Lodge, the place
they let Turtle and Taylor keep freed from cost on their journey west.
Father William
The
priest who works with Mattie, transporting unlawful immigrants to
and from her home.
Lee-Sing
The
girl who owns the grocery retailer and Laundromat subsequent door to Jesus
Is Lord Used Tires. Her mom introduced the unique bean seeds from
China, the descendents of which now develop in Mattie’s yard.
