Tom & Mona (Max and Mickey's parents) Tom and Mona have been married for 11 yeears. Unfortunately, Tom and Mona have grown apart and even though they tried so hard to make their marriage work, they just cant seem to make any real progress.  Although there is so much they do not agree on, the one thing they do have in common is their deep love for their children. Sadly, they ultimately make the decision to seperate. Their seperation is only the begining of a rollarcoaster ride of intense emotions and changes. As Tom and Mona go through the ups and downs of divorce and seperation, so do their boys, Max and Mickey.  While both Mona and Tom struggle with coping with their own grief and loss they work very hard at giving their children the support and help they need as well. Sometimes however, it just gets a little too intense and Tom and Mona feel lost in how to help their sons. Thankfully, Tom, Mona and their children have a lot of love and support from others, such as family, friends, and counselors. Determined that their love for their children will overpower their need to hurt each other, Tom and Mona do what it takes to make sure their monkeys are not in the middle.

Mickey ( Max's brother): Mickey is Max's adorable and sweet 4 year old brother. Being so much younger, Mickey is affected by his parents divorve differently. Mickey's presense  is minimal in the first several books in the series. Mickey plays a larger role toward the end of the series when he and Max  have to face the challange of meeting dad's "new special friend."...and her kids!

Ms. Ginger (Tom's new "special friend") Ms. Ginger has been divorced for several years and has two children, Jackson and Jade. Ms. Ginger is a very nice lady and really cares about Max and Mickey and their dad. Although she tries very hard to make Max and Mickey comfortable around her and accept her relationship with their dad, she encounters resistence and must find the balance between giving them their time and space and finding a permanent place in their lives.

Jackson & Jade (Ms. Ginger's children) Jackson is 12 years old. His little sister Jade is 9 years old. Jackson and Jade's parents have been divorced for several years. They are used to that part. They are not used to seeing their mom date anyone seriously much less get married (Yikes!). They are also not used to having other kids to share their house with (Uh Oh!).

Jackson is a pretty mellow kid, just give him his space and don't bug him too much and he's okay.  Once his mom meets Mr. Tom however,  he finds he has a hard time accepting the idea of having to share his stuff or his mother's attention...

Jade is the little diva who refuses to give up her hot pink room and don't even get her started on having to deal with three extra guys in her life, sharing her her house and her bathroom...what a pain!