Characters:
Willow Chance: An adopted 12 year-old girl who loses her bright intelligence when both of her parents die in a tragic car crash, but perseveres through it and brings a different mindset into her world. Nature becomes very important to her again towards the end of the book, and she finally has something to be happy and proud about; the garden.
Quang-ha: Son of Willow's foster mom, who is not very outgoing, but once he gets comfortable with his surrounding, has brilliant ideas.
Mai: The daughter of Willow's foster mom, who is so loving towards Willow and tries hard to comfort her.
Pattie: The foster mom of Willow who tries hard to make a living being a nail artist, and who is inspired by Willow's ideas.
Dell Duke: A counselor for Willow's school who is dramatically changed by the intelligence and personality of her, and who is very lazy, therefore no help to Willow.
Jairo: A taxi driver who helps Willow out daily and takes Willow's word very seriously, which changes his life. He ends up going to college to get a better degree, because Willow inspired him.