In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson Characters

We are Family Shirley starts out as a little kid in Chungking, China. There, she's one of the youngest members of the big Wong clan. Even her name isn't personal—her official moniker is Sixth Cou...

She's So Mean Mabel is the big bad bully of the fifth grade. No one wants to get in Mabel's way, but that's exactly what Shirley does. When Shirley's moping out of the classroom, she runs—lit...

Mama BearMama Wong is one fierce, well, mama. She is a bit of a worry wart about the small things—"everyday things like the tiniest cockroach or a gentle tap on the back made her shriek" (2.3)—...

I Dreamed a Dream Mr. Wong has a big dreamer, and he lives his fantasy. He's one of the only Wongs who's left China to pursue his individual dream, in the process leaving his family, the core unit...

Emily Levy is Shirley's BFF. She's a smart cookie who's considerate and kind. When Emily moves to Brooklyn, Shirley shows her the ropes at P.S. 8. Emily's quick to catch on, but she's also pretty u...

This charming little old woman is the landlady for Shirley's apartment. Shirley has only seen her as a "sinister shadow" before, but when she is revealed to be the local piano teacher, she's just "...

Remember Ms. Frizzle from The Magic School Bus? She's an inspirational and red-headed teacher, kind of like Mrs. Rappaport, the fifth grade teacher at P.S. 8. She might be tiny, but she "commanded...

Fourth Cousin Wong is Shirley's best bud and cousin in China. She's also like an older sister figure to Shirley, making fun of her and telling her she's "'always imagining things'" (1.7). Although...