Do characters mean people that are in the book?

Yes, in a book, "characters" generally refer to the people (or sometimes animals, or even inanimate objects given human-like qualities) that inhabit the story.

Here's why:

* They drive the plot: Characters make choices and take actions that propel the story forward.

* They have personalities: They have unique traits, motivations, and relationships that make them interesting and relatable.

* They create conflict: Characters often clash with each other or with external forces, creating tension and intrigue.

So, while "characters" might be used in other contexts (like "the characters in a play"), in the context of a book, it almost always refers to the people (or other beings) in the story.