Delia is the protagonist in Double Dutch. The story is told partly from her viewpoint. She is empathetic, friendly, and well-liked by her peers and teachers. One of the central aspects of Delia’s character is the value she derives from Double Dutch, and how she finds solace in the rhythm and physicality of the sport. She is a champion jumper with a strong sense of discipline and accomplishment. She feels a deep connection with her teammates and enjoys not only the competitive atmosphere at tournaments but also the camaraderie among the jumpers, who often find ways to mingle and connect outside of the competition. For Delia, the rhythm of Double Dutch infuses her life and gives her a lens to process her emotions and experiences.

Delia’s story centers on the secret she keeps: She cannot read. The words blend into meaningless lines, making it impossible for her to make sense of them. She uses her considerable ingenuity to trick her teachers, classmates, and family. She watches video versions of books, pays close attention in class to deduce the content of written materials, and uses her pattern recognition skills to guess answers on tests.