Although Urrea uses a third person omniscient point of view, Nayeli is arguably the novel’s protagonist. The journey to el Norte, while it contains a specific quest for Tres Camarones, is mainly a journey for Nayeli to discover where she truly belongs. She may call home to Aunt Irma for support and direction from time to time, but she also learns to fight for herself, and in doing so, learns of her strength. She is beautiful, smart, and keeps Tres Camarones’ protection her ultimate goal; the search for her father is secondary. The other characters that come along for the journey are distracted by their own desires (namely, romance) and Nayeli needs to consistently remind them of their mission. All of these qualities make her the natural leader of the group.

Both girls would be considered minor characters in this novel, and although they may dress differently and appreciate different things, they echo each other in many ways, especially in contrast to Nayeli. Both show a naïve innocence along the journey; Nayeli often has to solve their problems and when they are upset, they are often described as crying together.