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Olive, a fifth-grade student, is the protagonist of the graphic novel. She wears her hair in braids and bangs and often sports colorful sweaters that highlight her individuality. Olive is friendly and self-assured at the beginning of the story and comfortably floats between many groups of friends. Olive’s adaptability initially appears to be a strength because it allows her to connect with a diverse array of friends without conflict. However, as the story unfolds, it becomes evident that Olive’s social fluidity also leads to a deeper crisis with her sense of belonging and identity. She starts to feel isolated when her friends all divide into groups that are organized around their specific interests and plans for the variety show. Without a close-knit group or an interest that defines her whole identity, Olive feels alone and begins to pull away from the friendships she has.

Outside of school, Olive has strong family relationships. She is comfortable with expressing herself around her mom and brother, and she excitedly tells them about happy days and admits her feelings on harder days. She sometimes conflicts with her mom when her mom wants to intervene in ways that Olive perceives as embarrassing.