Eugene “Bucky” Cantor

Eugene “Bucky” Cantor is the novel’s protagonist. He is a 23-year-old graduate of Panzer College and an aspiring physical education teacher. He comes from a background of relatively low socioeconomic status. To his chagrin, his poor eyesight makes him ineligible to serve in the military during World War II. At the beginning of the summer of 1944, Cantor is the playground director for a summer recreation program at the Chancellor Avenue School in the Weequahic neighborhood of Newark, New Jersey. Cantor is an even-tempered and responsible young man, and he does his best to keep the children under his supervision safe from polio while also attempting to staunch widespread fear and restlessness among the kids and their parents.

However, Cantor eventually leaves his position at the Chancellor Avenue School and takes a position as a waterfront recreation director at a summer camp in the Pocono Mountains...