Sloane’s Family—Present Day

Sloane Osburn………a thirteen-year-old seventh grader

David Osburn………Sloane’s orthodontist dad

Maisy Osburn………Sloane’s deceased mother

Granny Pearl………David’s mother

Granny Kitty………Maisy’s mother

Nanna Tia………Maisy’s grandmother

Amelia’s Family—Present Day

Amelia Miller-Poe………a twelve-year-old seventh grader

Amanda Miller………Amelia’s financial-advisor mom

Alexander Poe………Amelia’s father, the Judge

Aiden Poe………Amelia’s half brother

Ashley Miller………Amelia’s half sister

Miscellaneous Helpers (and Some Eventual Suspects)—Present Day

Mr. Roth………an English teacher

Principal Stuckey………principal of Wauseon Middle School

Belinda Gomez………a librarian at the Wauseon Public Library

Milton Unserios………museum curator at the Fulton County Historical Society

Timothy Neikirk………a ninety-year-old auctioneer

Norma Cooke………a fashion designer for concrete garden animals

The Hoäl Family—1855–1940

Jacob………orphan, circus owner, millionaire, and onetime friend to Thomas Kerr

Lucretia………Jacob’s wife

Charles………Jacob’s son

Lucy………Charles’s daughter

Charlotte………Charles’s granddaughter

The Kerr Family—1855–1940

Thomas………clown, circus owner, carpenter, and onetime friend to Jacob Hoäl

Beatrice………Thomas’s wife

Oscar………Thomas’s son

Johnny………Oscar’s son