Age: 12 Home: Chris lives with his troubled family in the poorer part of Castle Rock. The Chambers family has a bad reputation around town because of Chris's older brothers and his father's behavior. Chris is expected to become just like them, despite being considerably more thoughtful and responsible. His home life has forced him to mature faster than the other boys. Personality: Confident, protective, sarcastic, intelligent, and naturally authoritative. Chris acts tough because he knows people already expect trouble from him. Underneath that exterior, he's compassionate and deeply insecure about his future. He's particularly protective of Gordie and genuinely believes Gordie can become something better than the people around him. Looks: Lean, dark-haired, brown-eyed, and fair-skinned. He has a naturally cool, rebellious appearance and usually wears jeans, boots or sneakers, T-shirts, and a jacket.

Age: 12 Home: Teddy lives with his parents, although his home situation is extremely unstable. His father is mentally ill and has been abusive toward Teddy, leaving Teddy with complicated feelings about his family. Teddy idolizes his father despite everything that's happened and sometimes talks about him as though he's a hero. His difficult upbringing contributes to his strange behavior and obsession with proving himself. Personality: Loud, impulsive, eccentric, reckless, and fiercely loyal. Teddy loves attention and constantly tries to convince the others that he's fearless. He can be irritating and unpredictable, but he's also genuinely excited by adventure. His friends are among the few people who accept him without judging his family. Looks: Thin, fair-skinned, with messy light-brown hair. He has an intense, energetic expression and dresses in simple 1950s children's clothes.

Age: 12 Home: Gordie lives with his parents and older brother's memory hanging heavily over the household. His family was once happier, but after his older brother Denny died, his parents became emotionally distant. Gordie feels like his parents barely notice him because they were so attached to Denny. His father especially seems disappointed that Gordie isn't more like his brother. Gordie spends a lot of time alone in his room writing stories and imagining other worlds. Personality: Quiet, observant, sensitive, creative, and intelligent. Gordie doesn't always speak up when he's hurt. He's an excellent storyteller and has a vivid imagination. His friends are essentially his escape from the loneliness at home. Looks: Slender, fair-skinned, with brown hair and expressive eyes. He usually wears jeans, a T-shirt, sneakers, and sometimes a baseball cap.

Age: 12 Home: Vern lives with his parents and brother in a more ordinary middle-class household in Castle Rock. Unlike Chris and Gordie, Vern's home isn't particularly troubled, but he's still sheltered and dependent on his family. He's often more concerned about getting home before his parents realize he's gone than the other boys are. Personality: Nervous, talkative, goofy, easily frightened, and innocent. Vern is the group's biggest worrier and frequently questions their plans. He's not as confident as Chris or Teddy, but he's dependable when it matters. He's also responsible for starting their journey after overhearing information about Ray Brower's body. Looks: Fair-skinned with light-brown/blond hair and a stockier build. He has a rounder, youthful face and usually wears jeans, a button-up shirt or T-shirt, sneakers, and a baseball cap.