Miguel Carlos Octavio Pablo de Cervantes bears a weighty name—all his Papá’s favorite authors—and he also carries a lot of emotional weight. Separated from his parents for almost half of his 15 years, Miguel longs to join them but doubts his Papá’s love and commitment. If Papá really cared about him, Miguel thinks, surely he would have sent for Miguel sooner. Abuelita knows that Miguel is often critical and judgmental. Miguel is “too hard on people” (18), especially Elena, who Miguel thinks is immature and selfish, and Papá, whose pride Miguel thinks is what keeps the family apart.

Miguel knows he is not meant for rancho work: His heart is in California. He is “very quick” or smart, as Don Clemente observes. With his high cheekbones, slightly bent nose, and dark eyes, Miguel is in the prime of his youth, and he feels it. Miguel is at first confident in his ability to make it north on his own—it is his adventure, his time to shine. Miguel’s own sense of pride, however, sometimes gets in his way. He initially dismisses Javi’s worth because of the man’s age, and he is angry at being burdened with Elena’s presence even though she is family.