As the narrator and protagonist, 12-year-old Florian Bates is the son of an American father (Jim) and an Italian mother (Francesca). He has spent much his life traveling the world. When the novel begins, he has just moved to Washington, DC, from Rome, Italy and is anxious about attending a new school. He also has a special skill inspired by his father’s security systems work. He calls his method of observation “TOAST,” or The Theory of All Small Things. This method allows him to use small clues to reveal larger truths. The method originated as a way to protect himself in new school situations, allowing him to identify problematic bullies and helpful adults. In the past, his observational abilities intimidated other children and this, along with his family’s frequent moves to new locations, created barriers to making friends. However, Margaret is not intimidated and becomes his first best friend.

Florian is extremely loyal to his friends. This naturally includes Margaret, and he despairs about keeping an important secret about her birth parents from her. He also befriends the special agent from the FBI who believes in him, Marcus Rivers. Florian gladly puts himself in danger in order to save Rivers’s reputation and career.