Jake is thirteen years old, the oldest of the group. He is in 7th grade. He is very athletic, extroverted, and looked to as the leader of the group. However, he is only an average student. He goes to the local Catholic school. Both his parents work.

Ellie is the brains of the group. She is African-American. She turns twelve years old in December, and is in seventh grade. She is also very athletic, and plays on Jake’s baseball team. She goes to public school. Her parents are separated, and did not register her for faith formation this year.

Manuel is twelve years old. He is Hispanic, fun-loving, friendly, and good-natured. He has good manners and is an excellent student. All the parents love him. Manuel goes to public school and attends his parish’s faith formation program. His father is disabled, and his mother works as a teacher at the local public school that he attends.

Keiko is Japanese. She is twelve years old, a good student, but an even better musician. She is Ellie’s best friend. She plays the violin. All the sports-minded members respect her because she recently won a national competition, and has been on a morning TV show. She goes to Catholic school, but her parents are not Catholic—they are Buddhist.

Benjie, Jake’s younger brother, tags along with the others whenever he can. He is only ten years old and a bit overweight. He is very active. He is in fifth grade and goes to Catholic school with his brother.