Rachel “Rache”

Rache is the daughter of Leah, the granddaughter of Nana Rose and the great-granddaughter of Nana Sashie. She is one of the major characters in the novel. It is to Rache that Nana Sashie chooses to tell the story of her family’s escape from Russia. During their time together, Rache and Nana Sashie develop a special bond, as Rache begins to understand that her elderly relative really was the young girl in the tintype photo displayed on the family’s mantle. It is Rache’s friend, Amy, who suggests to her that she write down the story that Nana Sashie is telling to her. During the course of the story, Rache helps Amy with her singing part in the school’s play “Oklahoma!” even though Amy got the part for which Rache had tried out.

Sashela “Nana Sashie” Bloom

Sashela Bloom, most often called Nana Sashie...