This character guide explores the intertwined lives of those in Barbara O'Connor's Wish, set in the small mountain town of Colby, North Carolina. At its heart is a young girl sent to live with relatives, where she learns about friendship, family, and healing.
Main Characters
Charlie Reese
Charlie, the eleven-year-old protagonist and narrator, is sent to live with her aunt and uncle in Colby after her father is jailed and her mother becomes unable to care for her. Initially, she is defined by her fiery temper and guarded nature, a defense mechanism against further hurt. Beneath this tough exterior, however, lies a lonely and vulnerable girl who clings to the hope that her family will one day be whole again, a wish she makes every day. As she navigates her new life, Charlie forms deep connections with Howard, Bertha, Gus, and Wishbone, who each play a role in helping her heal and redefine her concept of family.
Howard Odom
Howard, Charlie's assigned "Backpack Buddy," is the first person to show her genuine kindness and acceptance in Colby. Despite his physical differences and the teasing he endures, Howard is exceptionally kind-hearted, persistent, and unflappable. He offers Charlie unwavering support and understanding, breaking through her tough exterior with his simple yet profound wisdom. As Charlie's best friend, Howard plays a crucial role in her social and emotional growth, providing the steady, unconditional friendship she needs to begin healing.
Supporting Characters
Bertha
Bertha is Charlie's maternal aunt and, along with her husband Gus, becomes Charlie's guardian. She is a warm, nurturing maternal figure who provides the love and stability Charlie has been missing. Despite her sometimes misguided attempts to connect, Bertha's intentions are always loving, and she patiently endures Charlie's anger, eventually earning her trust and love.
Gus
Gus is Bertha's husband and Charlie's uncle-in-law, a quiet man who works at a mattress factory and tends to his garden. He is the gentle, stable paternal figure in Charlie's new life, offering a sense of safety and quiet acceptance that contrasts sharply with her volatile father, Scrappy. Gus expresses his affection through actions rather than words, forming a bedrock of the new family that Charlie comes to cherish.
Wishbone
Wishbone is a skinny, stray dog whom Charlie is determined to catch and make her own. He serves as a symbol of Charlie's own feelings of being a "stray" and represents her deep-seated desire for connection and unconditional love. As Wishbone transforms from a skittish stray to a loyal pet, he mirrors Charlie's own journey of healing and finding her place in the world.
Jackie
Jackie is Charlie's older sister, who stays in Raleigh with her best friend's family. Initially, Charlie resents Jackie for what she perceives as a "perfect" life, but Jackie's visit to Colby reveals her wisdom and caring nature. She helps Charlie see the positive aspects of her new home and articulates the painful truths about their parents, evolving from a source of jealousy to a supportive sister.
Mama (Carla)
Carla, Charlie and Jackie's mother and Bertha's sister, is the primary source of Charlie's trauma due to her severe depression and neglect. Though mostly off-page, Mama's actions and choices have a profound impact on Charlie's life, representing the broken past that Charlie wishes to fix. Her final, selfish decision ultimately frees Charlie to embrace her new family with Gus and Bertha.
Scrappy
Scrappy is Charlie and Jackie's father, who is in jail for fighting. He represents the chaos and instability of Charlie's old life, and his fiery temper is a trait Charlie has inherited. Despite his flaws, Charlie holds onto fond memories of him, but her journey involves learning that she can be more than just his daughter.
Minor Characters
- The Odom Family: Howard's parents and four brothers (Burl, Lenny, Dwight, and Cotton) are a loud, chaotic, but deeply loving family who welcome Charlie into their home without judgment.
- Audrey Mitchell: A classmate of Charlie's who initially teases her, and Charlie's interactions with her serve as a benchmark for her emotional growth.
- Mrs. Willibey: Charlie's fifth-grade teacher in Colby, who represents the unwelcome structure of her new life.
Character Relationships & Dynamics
The relationships between the characters drive the emotional core of the story.
- Charlie & Howard: Their friendship is the heart of the story, with Howard's patient kindness unlocking Charlie's guarded heart and teaching her the meaning of true friendship.
- Charlie & Bertha/Gus: This relationship evolves from guardianship to a genuine parent-child bond, as Bertha's warmth and Gus's quiet strength provide the security Charlie needs to heal.
- Charlie & Wishbone: A parallel relationship where two "strays" find a home in each other, teaching Charlie how to love and trust again.
- Bertha & Carla (Mama): The strained relationship between the sisters provides backstory and context for the family's dysfunction, highlighting Bertha's love for Charlie and her sorrow over her sister's failures.