Amy Treloar is the novel’s protagonist. She is 12 years old and turns 13 during the story. Amy struggles with the transition between being a child and a teenager. Throughout the book, Amy waffles between wanting to grow up (take responsibility) and remain a child (run from her problems). Louann represents Amy’s inner conflict. Amy knows Louann needs attention and care, but she is “sick of baby-sitting and losing my friends” (10). Throughout the novel, Amy struggles with growing up and guilt, two of the book’s major themes.

Amy views Aunt Clare as a role model and wants to live the free and exciting life her aunt seemed to have in Chicago. At the beginning of the story, Amy remains a child who runs away from her problems, like Aunt Clare did years ago. By the end of the book, Amy has learned she can’t resolve problems by ignoring them. She takes steps toward growing up by returning to her family. She also learns how to be a sister, not just a caretaker, to Louann, which helps her release her guilt. Over the course of the story, Amy gradually stops taking the burden for Louann’s disability upon her shoulders.