Publisher Description

"This novel may be brief, but it leaves a big impact."
-Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Tom's a normal seventh-grader, negotiating a slightly prickly stage in his long friendship with Jeff...The arrival of new girl Jessica Feeney, however, changes everything; Jessica, who is attending a local hospital for treatment, has been badly burned by a fire, and her terrible disfigurement shocks the class into confusion. This isn't the usual book about adjustment to difference; instead, Abbott brilliantly explores the kids' struggle to manage the intrusion of abnormality in their lives...this is a thoughtful exploration of a brief interlude's lasting impact."
-The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Notes

* It's a beautiful story, a sad story, brilliantly written, a story you'll never forget

Author Biography

Tony Abbott is the author of more than 35 books for young readers. He has been a bookseller and a librarian and currently lives in Connecticut with his wife and 2 daughters.

Review

"A touching story of friendship that is easy to read yet hard to forget."
--School Library Journal "In this poignant story, readers will recognize that even by doing small acts of kindness, people stand to gain more than they lose."
--Booklist * "This isn't the usual book about adjustment to differences; instead, Abbot brilliantly explores the kids' struggle to manage this intrusion of abnormality into their lives.... An understanding yet thought-provoking novel."
--The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, starred review Praise for Firegirl * "Tom's connection to Jessica changes his perspective on himself, his peers and friendship, and underscores the reward of reaching out to another.... This novel maybe be brief, but it leaves a big impact."--Publishers Weekly, starred review

Long Description

From the moment Jessica arrives, life is never quite the same for Tom and his seventh-grade classmates. Jessica was badly burned in a fire, and will be attending St. Catherine's while getting medical treatments. Despite Jessica's shocking appearance and the fear she evokes in him and most of the class, Tom slowly develops a tentative friendship with Jessica that changes his life in just a short amount of time. Firegirl is a powerful book that will show readers that even the smallest of gestures can have a profound impact on someone's life.

Review Quote

* "This isn't the usual book about adjustment to differences; instead, Abbot brilliantly explores the kids' struggle to manage this intrusion of abnormality into their lives.... An understanding yet thought-provoking novel." -- The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, starred review

Promotional "Headline"

* It's a beautiful story, a sad story, brilliantly written, a story you'll never forget

Details