At the Back of the North Wind · Character
Nanny
A ragged, sharp-tongued girl from the wretched streets who dreams her way into a moonlit garden and trades stories with Diamond about what dreams are worth.
supporting
Also known as Queen Anne
First appearance: Sal’s Nanny
As a supporting figure in At the Back of the North Wind, Nanny is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.
The little girl Diamond helps; she is a street sweeper who is skeptical of Diamond's story about North Wind.
Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.
Nanny is poor, unsentimental, and quick to call Diamond's head cracked, yet she tells him her dream of escaping the mud for a moonlit lawn with a frankness that matches his own. She insists her dreams are only dreams,…
Continue beside the text
The fuller portrait of Nanny sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.
See Nanny in Sal’s NannyCharacter Web
13 connectionsA slice of how Nanny sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Family
- Professional
- Other
Character groups
- Diamond's social circle
- Protagonist
+8 more in the full Character Web
Open in readerNarrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Rising action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This excerpt marks the dramatic climax because it presents the emotional and psychological peak of Diamond’s i…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingRelationships
- Diamond
family · positive
Nanny is Diamond's devoted nursemaid and later a beloved family member, caring for him… How this plays out →
- Mr. Raymond
professional · positive
- Diamond
family · positive
Nanny is Diamond's devoted nursemaid and later a beloved family member, caring for him… How this plays out →
- Diamond
family · positive
Nanny is Diamond's devoted nursemaid and later a beloved family member, caring for him… How this plays out →
- Mr. Raymond
professional · positive
- Mr. Raymond
professional · positive
Relationship notes
How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.
See Nanny in Sal’s NannyIn the story
Nanny appears across 15 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
- IV: North Wind
- V: The Summerhouse
- XIX: Diamond’s Friends
- Sal’s Nanny
- Mr. Raymond’s Riddle
- XXV: Diamond's Dream
- Diamond Takes a Fare the Wrong Way Right
- XXVII: The Children’s Hospital
- +7 more
Chapter companion notes
Spoil-light check-ins for Nanny unlock in the free preview.
See Nanny in Sal’s Nanny