Saving Sunshine Characters - Basic

Zara Aziz

An animal-loving girl who keeps a nature journal app and held a sign reading "Save the Bengal Tiger" at her first protest.

Zeeshan ("Zeesh")

Zara's brother, who is obsessed with NASA and space and is five minutes younger than Zara.

Bilal

Zara and Zeeshan's father, a Family Medicine doctor born in Lahore, Pakistan.

Rasheeda ("Amma")

Their mother, a pediatrician who was named Pediatrician of the Year, the first Muslim woman to receive the award.

Cleopatra ("Cleo")

Zara's Persian Longhair cat, left at home on the trip.

Sunshine

The loggerhead turtle Zara finds on the beach. He has a vitamin A deficiency and ends up tangled in fishing wire.

Dr. Sergio (Anthony)

The local vet. Zara first meets him at the pet store, where he helps with the turtle food.

Amy

The person pet-sitting Cleopatra while the family is away.

Ms. Hanover

The leader of the after-school space club, who has taught it for 3 years.

Matt and Ethan

The boys Ms. Hanover says should be Zeesh's project partners. They call him "Sheesh."

Josh and Mark

Kids on the beach who plan to have watermelon and chips.

Ms. Brooke

The teacher Zara told that religious headwear was allowed, after it was said to be against the dress code.