the year progresses, Dinnie begins to thrive in the diverse environment and the stability of remaining in one place. At the end of the year, Dinnie's aunt and uncle give her a choice: Go home to America for the summer and come back to school in the fall, or go back to America permanently. It is never said what her decision was, but Dinnie keeps her skis in the closet so that she will have to come back someday. Characters Mrs. Stirling The glamorous and elegant founder of the international school that Dinnie attends. Though Max is the headmaster, Mrs. Stirling is the director of the school and highly respected by everyone. Despite her advanced age, she is extremely astute and aware of everything that is going at the school and fluent in English, French, and Italian. Keisuke A boy who came from Osaka, Japan and Guthrie's best friend. Because English is not his first language, he often pronounces words differently (like stupid as "stew pod") and coins new words to define existing concepts (bloomability for "possibility"), which are picked up by his friends. He is good-humoured and bright, and has a relationship with Belen Martinez, his classmate. Belen Martinez A girl who was a roommate with Lila, and is from Barcelona, Spain. She and Keisuke are in a relationship of sorts, though Belen is aware that her parents would not entirely approve of her dating a Japanese boy. She is a mature girl who comes across as somewhat moody and has strong opinions. However, she is not confrontational like Lila. Mari An Italian girl from Rome, Italy who joins Dinnie and her friends later in the novel, after the school's annual ski trip. She is friendly and cheerful, though a little hot-tempered. Dinnie's family Dinnie's family consists of her father Jack, her mother, her older brother Crick and her older sister Stella. Jack, who was born in Bybanks, Kentucky like Dinnie was, is constantly on the move with another job. He does not get along with his wife's family, whom he believes looks down on him for his country roots. Dinnie's mother was originally from New York and is a trained artist; though she prefers living in the city, she willingly travels around the United States in the wake of her husband's jobs. While Dinnie is in Switzerland, her mother infrequently responds to Dinnie's letters with slightly bizarre cards