This character guide explores the diverse cast of Sarah Weeks's So B. It, a story centered around a young girl's quest to understand her mother's mysterious past. From Reno, Nevada, to Liberty, New York, these characters reveal the complexities of family, identity, and the power of love.
Main Characters
Heidi It
Heidi, the twelve-year-old protagonist and narrator, lives a sheltered life in Reno with her mentally disabled mother and agoraphobic neighbor. Raised in isolation, Heidi is intelligent, resourceful, and driven by an insatiable curiosity about her family's history. Her journey to uncover the truth about her mother and herself forms the heart of the novel, exploring themes of The Search for Identity and History and Coming of Age and Independence.
Heidi shares a deep bond with her mother, Sophia, and her surrogate mother, Bernadette, though her desire for independence strains these relationships. Her determination leads her on a solo cross-country bus trip, where she encounters both kindness and deceit, ultimately finding temporary guardians in Roy and Ruby Franklin. Through her experiences, Heidi learns to navigate the world, confront difficult truths, and discover that love and connection are more important than knowing every answer.
Sophia Lynne DeMuth (So B. It / Mama)
Sophia, known as Mama to Heidi, is the central mystery of the novel. Due to a severe mental disability, Sophia has a limited vocabulary and relies entirely on others for care. Her unknown past and her unique word, "soof," are the mysteries that propel Heidi on her journey.
Despite her limitations, Sophia's love for Heidi is evident through her actions and her special word, exploring themes of love beyond language and the The Power and Limitations of Words. We learn that Sophia's real name is Sophia Lynne DeMuth and that she grew up at Hilltop Home, where she shared a profound bond with Elliot Hill. Her tragic story is one of innocence lost, as she was separated from Elliot and her past due to a deal made between her mother and his father.
Bernadette
Bernadette, Heidi and Mama's next-door neighbor, acts as their caregiver and provider. Suffering from agoraphobia, she hasn't left her apartment building in over a decade. Bernadette serves as Heidi's surrogate mother, teacher, and protector, representing the anchor of their Unconventional Family and Love.
Bernadette's fear of the outside world contrasts sharply with Heidi's determination to explore it, leading to conflict as Heidi seeks answers beyond the confines of their apartment. Despite her fears, Bernadette ultimately supports Heidi's quest, learning to let go and trust in the strength and independence she instilled in Heidi. Her relationship with Sophia is marked by compassion and understanding, further solidifying the unconventional family bond.
Supporting Characters
Thurman Hill
Thurman Hill is the owner of Hilltop Home and the gatekeeper of Heidi's family history, later revealed to be her grandfather. Initially an antagonist who stonewalls Heidi and Bernadette's inquiries, he eventually becomes the source of all the answers Heidi seeks. His actions are motivated by a desire to protect his son, Elliot, and the reputation of Hilltop Home, though he ultimately expresses deep remorse for the pain his decisions have caused.
Elliot Hill
Elliot Hill is Thurman's mentally disabled son and a resident of Hilltop Home, as well as Heidi's biological father. He serves as a living link to Mama's past, and his use of the word "soof" confirms that Heidi is on the right track. His enduring love for Sophia is the emotional core of the story's history, representing a love that transcends words.
Roy Franklin
Roy Franklin is the kind-hearted sheriff of Liberty, New York, who becomes Heidi's protector and guide. He helps Heidi navigate the difficult situation at Hilltop Home and uncovers the legal records of her family's past. Married to Ruby Franklin, he becomes a temporary father figure to Heidi, offering her stability and safety.
Ruby Franklin
Ruby Franklin is an employee at Hilltop Home and Roy's wife, providing Heidi with immediate maternal comfort. She offers Heidi the warmth and care she desperately needs upon arriving in Liberty and especially after receiving the tragic news about her mother. Having lost three babies of her own, she is uniquely positioned to offer Heidi compassion, forming a strong, nurturing bond with her.
Minor Characters
Georgia Sweet is a fellow bus traveler who befriends Heidi on her journey to New York, encouraging her to tell her story and helping her process her thoughts and feelings. Zander is a boy who lives in Heidi's apartment building and is her only friend, teaching her about friendship and the complex reasons people lie. Alice Wilinsky is Heidi's first companion on the bus, whose probing questions force Heidi to confront her own dishonesty. Diane DeMuth is Heidi's maternal grandmother, who made a deal with Thurman Hill to disappear in exchange for financial support for her daughter, Sophia.
Character Relationships
The novel is built on a series of powerful and often unconventional relationships. The Reno family, consisting of Heidi, Mama, and Bernadette, forms the heart of the story, built on deep love and mutual need rather than blood ties or societal norms. Sophia and Elliot's relationship is the story's central tragedy, representing a pure, innocent love destroyed by the fears and prejudices of the adults around them. Heidi and Georgia's brief friendship on the bus models a healthy connection, with Georgia's open questions allowing Heidi to articulate her quest. The Hill family, consisting of Thurman and Elliot, is defined by love, guilt, and protection, with Thurman's desire to shield his son leading to a cruel decision that caused more suffering. Finally, the Franklin family, consisting of Roy and Ruby, represents a stable, loving, and conventional family, offering Heidi a safe harbor and a potential future.
Character Themes
Each character embodies one or more of the novel's central themes. Heidi It represents the universal Search for Identity and History, demonstrating the human need to know where we come from in order to understand who we are. Sophia (Mama) and Elliot Hill together embody The Power and Limitations of Words, with their profound connection existing almost entirely without language. Bernadette is the heart of the book's exploration of Unconventional Family and Love, proving that family is defined by love and commitment, not by blood ties or societal norms. Thurman Hill's story is a deep dive into The Nature of Truth and Knowledge, representing the painful consequences of hiding the truth. Finally, Roy and Ruby Franklin symbolize safety, compassion, and the healing power of community, showing Heidi that kindness can be found in strangers and that a chosen family can be just as powerful as a biological one.