* Tommy Marcano: The narrator and leader of the group, who seeks revenge for the injustices they suffered in the juvenile detention center.
* Mikey Sullivan: Tommy's best friend, a quiet and sensitive boy who struggles to cope with the trauma of his time in the detention center.
* Shakes: The group's strongman, known for his temper and violence.
* John Reilly: The most intelligent of the group, who uses his cunning to navigate the challenges they face.
While Tommy narrates the story, the novel explores the individual journeys and struggles of all four characters, making them all central to the plot and its themes. It is difficult to label one of them as the sole protagonist as they are all intricately connected and contribute significantly to the narrative.