The Wind Family:
* Father Wind (William): A Chinese immigrant who dreams of flying. He works as a laundryman in San Francisco's Chinatown and struggles to make ends meet. He's a loving and devoted father, but his dream of flight causes tension with his wife.
* Mother Wind: A traditional Chinese woman who is skeptical of her husband's dream. She wants him to be practical and focus on providing for their family. Despite her doubts, she loves her husband and is fiercely protective of her son.
* Moon Shadow (Youngster Wind): The young son of the Winds, he is imaginative and adventurous, inheriting his father's love for flying. He learns to speak English and integrates into American society, while still holding onto his Chinese heritage. He is the main character in the story.
* Sister Moon: A younger sister who is often jealous of Moon Shadow's relationship with their father. She struggles to understand her father's dream and feels overshadowed by her brother's achievements.
The Lee Family:
* Uncle (Lao) Lee: Father Wind's close friend, he is a wealthy and influential Chinese businessman in San Francisco. He is a staunch traditionalist and disapproves of Father Wind's pursuit of flight.
* Auntie Lee: Uncle Lee's wife, she is kind and hospitable. She is more understanding of Father Wind's dream than her husband.
* Mr. Lee (Youngman Lee): Uncle Lee's son, he represents a new generation of Chinese Americans who are trying to find their place in a changing society. He is more open-minded and accepting of Western culture than his father. He becomes close friends with Moon Shadow.
Other Notable Families:
* The Baker Family: An American family who befriends the Winds. They are kind and supportive, but also represent the prejudice and ignorance that Chinese immigrants face in America.
* The Johnson Family: Another American family who lives in the neighborhood. The Johnson family is less understanding of Chinese culture and more prone to harboring prejudices.
The families in *Dragonwings* provide a complex picture of Chinese-American life in early 20th century San Francisco. They grapple with issues of assimilation, prejudice, and cultural identity, all within the context of a fascinating story about the pursuit of a dream.