1
The first and last name of Douglas' adventurous friend.
2
The first and last name of Grandma and Grandpa Spaulding's boarder, who learns to love mowing the lawn.
3
The wise, old matriarch of the Spaulding family who strives to pass on her wisdom to Douglas and Tom.
4
The first and last name of the woman who refuses to fear The Lonely One.
5
The first and last name of Bill Forrester's older friend.
6
The last name of the storytelling Colonel.
7
The only character that is also a symbol; representing fear and death.
8
The last name of the primary family in the novel.
9
The last name of the man who tries to invent the happiness machine, and his wife who convinces him that happiness cannot be invented.
10
The first and last name of Douglas' best friend who moves away.
11
The wise, old man who finds great pleasure in the simple things in life.
12
The main character's first name.
13
The town junkman
14
The contented old woman who is known for her cooking skills.
15
A woman who is very concerned with the safety of her sons throughout the novel.
16
A quiet man who understands well the changes his sons are going through.
17
A young Spaulding who believes he can tell the temperature by counting the buzzes of cicadas.