Odie O'Banion

Odie O'Banion is the first person narrator of the novel. Odie grows up with his parents and older brother Albert. Not long after his mother dies, Odie's father is murdered under mysterious pretenses. Thelma and Clyde Brickman, the operators of the Lincoln Indian Training School take the boys in, supposedly because all of the other orphanages are full. While at Lincoln School, Odie proves himself feisty and strong-willed. His behavior often gets him into trouble with Mrs. Brickman, or the Black Witch, and the school disciplinarian, Vincent DiMarco. Odie, however, does not lose hope. He is a constant light to his friends, always telling stories and playing their favorite songs on his harmonica.

One night when Odie accidentally pushes DiMarco into the quarry and kills him, he and his friends are forced to flee Lincoln School. Throughout their travels together, Odie begins to question his family history...