Mexican WhiteBoy Character Analysis

Danny Lopez

Danny is the protagonist of Mexican WhiteBoy. He is from Leucadia, an affluent part of San Diego, but for the duration of the novel he stays in National City, where his dad is from, with… read analysis of Danny Lopez

Uno

Uno, Danny’s friend, is an antagonist in the beginning of the novel, as he competes with Danny and at one point punches him in the face. Uno is from National City, where he lives… read analysis of Uno

Javier Lopez

Javier is Danny’s father, and Ray and Tommy’s brother. Javier is in prison at the start of the novel, and he appears only in Danny’s flashbacks. Javier is Mexican and he grew up… read analysis of Javier Lopez

Senior

Senior is Uno’s father and Loretta’s ex-partner. He comes to National City from Oxnard once a month to see Uno, and he has a combative relationship with Loretta. He is generally polished and… read analysis of Senior

Wendy

Wendy is Danny’s mother. At the beginning of the story, Danny lives with her and his sister, Julia, in Leucadia, an affluent area in San Diego. After Wendy relocates to San Francisco to… read analysis of Wendy

Sofia Lopez

Sofia is Danny’s cousin, Tommy’s daughter, and Cecelia’s stepdaughter. Sofia values her family, and she loves and takes care of Danny. She is well-integrated into the teenage social scene of National City… read analysis of Sofia Lopez

Ray Lopez

Ray is Javier and Tommy’s brother, and Danny and Sofia’s uncle. He is coarse and unpolished, and he has a hot temper, but he loves his family. He intentionally hits a man with… read analysis of Ray Lopez

The Man in the Padres Hat

The man in the Padres hat turns out to be Javier’s friend from prison, but for most of the novel Danny and Uno think he is a scout for the Padres baseball team. Javier… read analysis of The Man in the Padres Hat

Liberty

Liberty is new to National City. She is from Mexico and only speaks Spanish, but her dad is American. Danny notices her right away because she looks half white like him, and he develops a… read analysis of Liberty

Loretta

Loretta is Uno’s mom and Ernesto’s wife. She speaks very badly of Senior, and she doesn’t want Uno to go to Oxnard to live with him. Loretta often acts uncaring towards Uno—she… read analysis of Loretta

Manuel

Manuel (who sometimes goes by Manny) is Ernesto’s son and Uno’s stepbrother. He has a mental disability, and Uno loves and protects him. Manuel is always happy, and he cheers for everyone at… read analysis of Manuel

Coach Sullivan

Coach Sullivan is the coach of Leucadia prep’s baseball team. He cuts Danny from the team because Danny’s pitching needs more control, though he sees potential in Danny. At the end of the novel, Coach… read analysis of Coach Sullivan

Minor Characters

Tommy Lopez

Tommy is Sofia’s dad and Danny’s uncle. He stands in stark contrast to his brothers Ray and Javier, as he is much calmer and more stable than them. He has a healthy and loving relationship with his wife Cecelia and with the rest of his family.

Ernesto

Ernesto is Loretta’s husband and Uno’s stepfather. He frequently screams at Uno, and he gets violent when he’s drinking. His son Manuel (from a previous relationship) has a mental disability, and he and Loretta put Manuel in a home for disabled children.

Cecelia

Cecelia is Tommy’s wife. She is caring and close with Tommy’s family, and Sofia thinks of her as her real mother.

Randy

Randy is Wendy’s boyfriend. He is affluent, and he moves Wendy and Julia to San Francisco. Danny doesn’t like Randy and thinks Wendy shouldn’t date a white man, since Javier resented white people.

Julia Lopez

Julia is Danny’s younger sister. She is upset when Wendy says the family is moving to San Francisco, but she decides to go with Wendy instead of with Danny to National City.

Kyle Sorenson

Kyle is the star player on Leucadia prep school’s baseball team. Danny studies Kyle in order to learn from him. Kyle is the only batter Danny is unable to strike out. At the end of the novel, Kyle saves Danny and Uno when his teammates try to attack them.

Vanessa Lopez

Vanessa is Sofia’s older sister.

Carmen, Raquel, Angela, Bee, Juanita, Flaca, and Guita

Carmen, Raquel, Angela, Bee, Juanita, Flaca, and Guita are Sofia’s friends. They all hang out with Uno and the other teenage boys.

Chico, Lolo, Raul, Rene, and Skinny Pedro

Chico, Lolo, Raul, Rene, and Skinny Pedro are Uno’s friends who all play in the stickball derbies. They all hang out with Sofia and the other teenage girls.

Barker

Barker is a baseball player on Leucadia prep’s team. He uses racial slurs towards both Danny and Uno. Danny punches him in Uno’s defense.

Carmelo

Carmelo is a baseball player at Morse High. Danny and Uno lose a bet to him, but win when he re-challenges them later on.

Marzel

Marzel is a baseball player at Logan Heights high school. Danny and Uno beat him in a bet, and Uno punches Marzel when Marzel threatens Danny.

Rico and Tim

Rico and Tim are Ray’s friends. They’re in the car when Ray runs a man over.