I wish the book was longer, I would love to revisit these characters.Mellie - My favorite character - 12 year old girl coming of age during this turbulent time. She is a thoughtful sweet girl, dealing with starting Junior High, starting her period, helping her mom with a new baby. Starting to find out how disillusioning life can be.Flossie - The African American woman that comes and works as a maid for Mellie's Mom - I LOVED her - my 2nd favorite character. In some ways she reminded me of the lead from the Help, the way she thought about the ladies she worked for. She is very wise and I love how her relationship develops with the family.Norah - The mother dealing with a pre teen and pregnancy along with a 6 year old, and how to keep everyone safe. I really felt for her as she struggled to find control where there was none, and then to watch her deal with depression after the baby the just wasn't diagnosed back then.Birdie - The six year old sister and seeing these events through her eyes was disarming and interesting.Lola - Norah's sister, and a very sad character.I loved the book,the only down side I saw was it felt like it could have gone on for longer, I understand why it did not, but it did not quite feel complete, and that is why I gave it four instead of five stars. I just was left with a feeling that everything was wrapped up.This book was a good slice of seeing what a few months in this families life was from a variety of angles. There is some tough subject matter that I thought was tastefully handled and not overly graphic, on an attempted rape and coerced sex scene. You know it happened and there are some details but it is not lurid.Would definitely read this book! ( )