Pigeon English

Harri is the novel’s eleven-year old narrator, whose stream of consciousness shapes the entire text. Harri is curious, whimsical, good-hearted, and often literal-minded or naïve to a fault. Fiercely devoted to his family, even with the comical arguments and banter with his sister, Harri strives to be “good” in an environment that is increasingly tempting him otherwise. He is imaginative and playful, which become important qualities when he and his friend Dean begin their investigative detective work to solve the dead boy’s murder case. Though he fumbles at times with the cultural and language barriers with his new classmates in England, he loves to systematically recount all that he learns from them about different schoolyard games and “rules,” slang, and other significant knowledge for how to navigate life as a young kid in an environment plagued by bullying and abuse. His religion and overall trust in God keep him afloat and he eagerly seeks to bring that goodness to others. 

Lydia is Harri’s older sister. She moved to England with him and their mother. Like many teenagers, she does what she can to fit in with the presumed cool crowd, even if that means compromising her morals to a degree.