America Singer is the protagonist and first-person narrator of the book. She is 17 years old and from the province of Carolina. America has red hair and is considered very beautiful. America was born into caste Five, which requires people to be artists and musicians. America was raised to play several instruments, including the piano and violin, and she is considered quite skilled. Now that she has been reassigned to caste Three because she is part of the Selection, America wonders if she will have to pursue a career in the teaching profession once the competition is over.

America’s family relationships are important to her and motivate many of her actions throughout the novel. America admires her father and looks to him for advice. His encouragement helps America stand up for herself and speak out when she feels the need. America’s mother is a singer and musician. She is more concerned about America’s image and is less proud of her skills than she is of her being Selected. America wishes she could have her mother’s unconditional love and approval, as she does her father’s, but she has come to accept who her mother is. America has an older, married sister, Kenna, whom she looks up to, and an older brother, Kota, a successful sculptor who distanced himself from the family until America got Selected.