Delrita Jensen

Delrita Jensen is the novel's main character and narrator. Delrita is thirteen years old but lives her life as a much older adult. She takes full responsibility for protecting her handicapped uncle, Punky, at a great social loss for herself. Delrita is quite pretty, but she takes great lengths to hide what she describes as her "skinny chicken legs," even though no one would ever see them. As a way of protecting herself and protecting her Uncle Punky, Delrita has created an invisible shell around herself, protecting her from all outside emotion, whether positive or negative. She has lived in that shell for many years, refusing to let acquaintances get close enough to call them friends. As a result, Delrita is untrusting, miserable, and terribly lonely. Another form of protection Delrita has invented is her very harsh, snap judgments of people. Delrita is certain that people are...