Anna
Anna is a thirteen year old girl. She seems to be always left in the shadows as Kate is always in the limelight for medical reasons. Anna is very self conscious and very aware that her family situation is different than any other teenagers. Anna is selfless and kind. She always puts her sisters health before hers. Anything Kate needs medically Anna supplies. As Anna gets older she feels that maybe it’s time she took control of her body. Even though Kate will probably die if Anna doesn’t donate her kidney Anna just decided enough is enough. Her parents always made her decisions for her and she was sick of it.

Kate
Kate is a sixteen year old girl who has APL leukemia. Her whole life she has been fighting for her life and relying on her sister Anna. Kate tries to be just like a normal teenager but she spend the majority of her life in hospital. Kate is humorous and funny. She makes the best out of a bad situation. Anna and Kate are close. Kate respects Anna decision and doesn’t try to persuade her even if it means death for Kate. I admire Kate for this and I think she is very brave.

Jessie
Jessie is the eldest of the family. Jessie seems to be just not part of the family at all. He has disconnected himself from the family because he is convinced they don’t even know if he exists or not. Jessie is always getting himself in trouble with vandalism, alcohol and drugs. Jessie regularly sets vacant buildings on fire. This is symbolic as his father is a fire fighter and this is a way in which Jessie looks for attention. Even though Jessie seems tough on the outside he really cares for Anna and Kate a lot. I feel sorry for Jessie as sometimes he is accused wrongly like when Sara saw needle marks in his skin she accused him of taking drugs when in fact Jessie was donating blood. Jessie is my favorite character in the novel.

Brian and Sara
The parents who try to keep this family going. Brian is a fire fighter and Sara stays at home t...