Heidi DeMuth (originally known a Heidi It)

Heidi is the main character in the story. She is a twelve and a half year old girl who lives with her mentally disabled mother and is being raised by her agoraphobic neighbor, Bernadette. Due to the circumstances, she is being homeschooled by Bernadette. Heidi is depicted as being wise, kind, and curious. She also holds Bernadette in high esteem, for Bernadette has taught her everything she knows.

Her relationships with both her mother and Bernadette are easy and happy until Heidi’s need to know her past begins to obsess her. Her only source of information is Bernadette, and Bernadette knows nothing about Heidi or her mother before the day she found them at her door.

Heidi becomes frustrated at her mother for her inability to share information. She also argues with Bernadette, who fears that Heidi’s insatiable curiosity will...