James "Sandy" Rogers is the main character of Not without Laughter. The book begins with Sandy still a young boy, just starting school. He lives with his mother Annjee and his grandmother Aunt Hager. His father, Jimboy, works jobs on the road far away from home, rarely writes and sees Sandy little. Aunt Hager and Jimboy have an antagonistic relationship. Despite admiring Aunt Hager, Sandy loves it when Jimboy comes home because he plays his guitar and everyone has a good