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13 Gifts
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4.24 / 5

"13 Gifts" Characters Analysis

A girl named Tara receives mysterious gifts for the thirteen days leading up to her thirteenth birthday, each with its own magical power.

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Estimated read time: 8 min read

List of Characters

NameRole
Tara BrennanProtagonist
OliviaTara's cousin
ElizabethTara's aunt
GranTara's grandmother
KyleTara's friend
EmilyTara's friend
AdamTara's friend
ChetTara's friend
PenelopeTara's friend
LeoTara's friend
CharlotteTara's friend
Mrs. SerlingSchool counselor
Mr. HowellTara's teacher

Role Identification

In the book "13 Gifts" by Wendy Mass, Tara Brennan is the protagonist. She is a twelve-year-old girl who is sent to live with her aunt and uncle in Willow Falls for the summer.

Character Descriptions

Tara Brennan: Tara is a twelve-year-old girl with curly brown hair and freckles. She is described as being shy and introverted, often feeling like an outsider.

Olivia: Olivia is Tara's cousin and becomes one of her closest friends in Willow Falls. She has long, straight blonde hair and is known for her confidence and outgoing personality.

Elizabeth: Elizabeth is Tara's aunt and the one who takes Tara in for the summer. She is described as being kind and nurturing, always looking out for Tara's well-being.

Gran: Gran is Tara's grandmother and a central figure in the story. She is wise and caring, providing Tara with guidance and support throughout her summer in Willow Falls.

Kyle: Kyle is one of Tara's friends in Willow Falls. He is a class clown and often provides comic relief in the story.

Emily: Emily is another one of Tara's friends. She is a talented artist and has a quiet and introspective personality.

Adam: Adam is a friend of Tara's who is known for his love of sports. He is athletic and often encourages Tara to step out of her comfort zone.

Chet: Chet is a friend of Tara's who is interested in magic tricks. He is quirky and eccentric, always looking for ways to surprise and entertain.

Penelope: Penelope is another friend of Tara's who is known for her fashion sense. She is confident and stylish, often offering fashion advice to Tara.

Leo: Leo is a friend of Tara's who is passionate about science. He is intelligent and curious, always seeking knowledge and experimenting with new ideas.

Charlotte: Charlotte is a friend of Tara's who is known for her love of books. She is imaginative and enjoys sharing stories and discussing literature with Tara.

Mrs. Serling: Mrs. Serling is the school counselor in Willow Falls. She is a kind and understanding adult figure in Tara's life, providing guidance and support.

Mr. Howell: Mr. Howell is Tara's teacher in Willow Falls. He is described as being strict but fair, pushing Tara to do her best academically.

Character Traits

Tara Brennan: Tara is introverted, shy, and often feels like an outsider. She is also kind-hearted, curious, and willing to step out of her comfort zone to help others.

Olivia: Olivia is confident, outgoing, and has a natural ability to make friends. She is also supportive, caring, and encourages Tara to embrace new experiences.

Elizabeth: Elizabeth is kind, nurturing, and takes on a motherly role towards Tara. She is patient, understanding, and provides a stable and loving environment for Tara.

Gran: Gran is wise, caring, and offers Tara guidance throughout her summer in Willow Falls. She is also strong-willed and encourages Tara to believe in herself.

Kyle: Kyle is funny, outgoing, and always ready to make others laugh. He is also loyal, standing by Tara's side and helping her navigate the challenges she faces.

Emily: Emily is artistic, introspective, and has a deep appreciation for beauty. She is also sensitive and empathetic, understanding Tara's struggles and offering her support.

Adam: Adam is athletic, competitive, and encourages Tara to try new sports and activities. He is also a good listener and offers Tara advice when she needs it.

Chet: Chet is quirky, eccentric, and loves to entertain others with magic tricks. He is also imaginative and encourages Tara to embrace her own creativity.

Penelope: Penelope is confident, stylish, and has a keen eye for fashion. She is also a loyal friend and always there to offer Tara fashion advice and support.

Leo: Leo is intelligent, curious, and always seeking knowledge. He is also a problem solver and helps Tara find solutions to the challenges she faces.

Charlotte: Charlotte is imaginative, loves books, and enjoys sharing stories with Tara. She is also a good listener and offers Tara a safe space to express herself.

Mrs. Serling: Mrs. Serling is kind, understanding, and provides Tara with emotional support. She is also perceptive and helps Tara navigate her emotions and challenges.

Mr. Howell: Mr. Howell is strict but fair, pushing Tara to reach her full academic potential. He is also dedicated to his students' success and provides guidance and encouragement.

Character Background

Tara Brennan: Tara is a twelve-year-old girl from New Jersey who is sent to live with her aunt and uncle in Willow Falls for the summer. She is introverted and often feels like an outsider, struggling to make friends and fit in.

Olivia: Olivia is Tara's outgoing and confident cousin who lives in Willow Falls. She becomes one of Tara's closest friends and helps her navigate her new environment.

Elizabeth: Elizabeth is Tara's aunt and the one who takes Tara in for the summer. She is kind-hearted and nurturing, providing Tara with a stable and loving home.

Gran: Gran is Tara's wise and caring grandmother who lives in Willow Falls. She serves as a guiding figure in Tara's life and helps her discover her own strength and potential.

Kyle, Emily, Adam, Chet, Penelope, Leo, and Charlotte: These are Tara's friends in Willow Falls who each bring their unique qualities and support to her journey throughout the summer.

Mrs. Serling: Mrs. Serling is the school counselor in Willow Falls who provides Tara with emotional support and guidance as she navigates her personal challenges.

Mr. Howell: Mr. Howell is Tara's teacher in Willow Falls, who challenges her academically and pushes her to reach her full potential.

Character Arcs

Tara Brennan: Throughout the story, Tara undergoes a significant character arc. At the beginning, she is introverted and insecure, feeling like an outsider in Willow Falls. However, as she forms relationships with Olivia and her new friends, Tara begins to come out of her shell and gain confidence. She learns to embrace new experiences and step out of her comfort zone, ultimately finding a sense of belonging and self-acceptance.

Olivia: While Olivia serves as a supportive friend to Tara, she doesn't undergo a significant character arc herself. She remains confident and outgoing throughout the story, providing stability and friendship to Tara.

Relationships

Tara and Olivia: Tara and Olivia's relationship starts off as cousins but quickly develops into a close friendship. Olivia helps Tara navigate her new environment and encourages her to embrace new experiences.

Tara and Gran: Tara has a close bond with her wise and caring grandmother, Gran. Gran provides Tara with guidance and support throughout her summer in Willow Falls, helping her discover her own strength and potential.

Tara and her friends (Kyle, Emily, Adam, Chet, Penelope, Leo, and Charlotte): Tara forms strong friendships with her new friends in Willow Falls. They support and encourage her, helping her overcome her insecurities and find a sense of belonging.

Tara and Mrs. Serling: Mrs. Serling, the school counselor, serves as a mentor figure to Tara. She provides emotional support and guidance, helping Tara navigate her personal challenges.

Tara and Mr. Howell: Mr. Howell, Tara's teacher, challenges her academically and pushes her to reach her full potential.

Overall, "13 Gifts" by Wendy Mass explores the character development of Tara Brennan as she navigates her summer in Willow Falls and learns to embrace new experiences, form friendships, and discover her own strength and potential. The relationships she forms with Olivia, Gran, her friends, and the adults in her life play a crucial role in her personal growth and self-acceptance.