Chizu Woody's wife, who comes to the pier on Sunday, December 7, 1941, to announce the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Later at Manzanar, Chizu, mother of a daughter and a camp-born son named George, is a faithful daughter-in-law and peacemaker who serves the extended family as an extra mother for Jeanne and the younger Wakatsukis.
Kaz The husband of Jeanne's sister Martha, Kaz, who is a foreman of a reservoir maintenance team at Manzanar, leads his crew on a routine inspection the night of the riot. MPs burst in on the chlorine shed and hold the men at gunpoint until they can determine why Kaz's crew would be occupying a building on the camp periphery and arming themselves with ax handles.
May Jeanne's eleven-year-old sister who carries meals to Granny in the barracks.
Ray At thirteen, Ray makes a game of eating in multiple mess halls. His normal behavior reflects a child's need to play, even if the playground is an internment camp.
Kiyo Eleven-year-old Kiyo attempts to halt Ko's spouse abuse and intimidation of the family by punching his father in the face. For his courage, Kiyo earns his father's respect.
Toyo Ko's sprightly, dignified eighty-year-old aunt, who rejoices in 1946 to learn that Ko did not die in 1913; she presents Woody a valuable silk coverlet, even though her home displays mostly bare rooms and humble woven mats. Woody learns that Toyo was the favorite aunt who provided Ko, her favorite nephew, the money to emigrate to Hawaii. Toyo sits by Woody as he sleeps and weeps at his resemblance to the Wakatsukis.
Fred Tayama Leader of the Japanese-American Citizens League, he is badly mauled by six hostile pro-Japanese on December 5, 1942.
Joe Kurihara A Hawaiian-born World War I veteran and riot leader who wants to renounce his citizenship and emigrate to Japan.
Sister Bernadette An adamant Canadian-Japanese Maryknoll nun who comes to Block 28 to discuss with Ko Jeanne's wish to convert to Catholicism. Sister Bernadette is insistent enough to face down the testy father and debate the matter one on one.
Radine A pretty blond in Jeanne's sixth grade class, she, like her classmates, is surprised to learn that Japanese Americans can speak English. It is Radine who delivers the painful news that Jeanne is not welcome in Girl Scouts and forms a pre-teen friendship which survives some of Jeanne's encounters with racism. For Jeanne, Radine epitomizes the sexual appeal of the American girl.
Leonard Rodriguez A savvy Hispanic schoolmate, Leonard discloses the teachers' plot to alter the ballots so that Lois Carson, instead of Jeanne, will be crowned carnival queen. His loyalty to Jeanne enables her to win the title.
