“There is . . . ,” Mrs. Tracy was saying quietly, “there is something you need to know about Jessica. . . .” From this moment on, life is never quite the same for Tom and his seventh-grade classmates. 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. Firegirl is a powerful story that will show listeners that even the smallest of gestures can have a profound impact on someone’s life. “It’s a beautiful story, a sad story, brilliantly written, a story you’ll never forget.” –Newbery Honor winner Patricia Reilly Giff
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"This book is soooo sad! It's about a little girl who is a BURNED VICTIM. she TRIES TO MAKE FRIENDS, BUT EVERYONE IS TERRIFIED of her. A boy wants to be friends with her, but it means sacrificing his friendships. Please, especially Ms. Hillard, read this book!!!!!!!"
— Maggie (5 out of 5 stars)
" Loved how this book really made me think about how kids handle "different" people, especially their age. Can't wait to read this one aloud to a grade six class. "
— Lauren, 2/7/2014" My friends who read ",Star Girl," recommended this book to me. This book is about an ordinary boy named Tom. Tom is always daydreaming about how to save the life of this girl named Courtney he likes. One day a new girl comes to class, she is not a normal student. Her name is Jessica and she had been badly burned. Jessica has changed the perspective of Tom. At first he was like the rest of the students, afraid,disgusted. Although Jessica and Tom weren't friends for a long period of time, Jessica changed Tom. My favorite quote is ",As if there was a person in there," the reason is because this is the moment when Tom realizes Jessica isn't some abnormal girl, she is a normal girl on the inside. The author's writing style is quite boring, this is a book that does not make me keep flipping pages. I would recommend this book for maybe people a younger age. It gives the lesson to not judge people by their physical looks. "
— Audrey, 1/22/2014" This is a good YA book about acceptance and self discovery. "
— Jeri, 1/9/2014" I just finished reading this book as a read aloud with my 2 boys (ages 7 & 10). They both really enjoyed it and this book kept us talking about people, feelings and choices. Great way to get children to consider other people's feelings. "
— Irene, 1/8/2014" Good story, deep, thoughtful, short story. "
— Kandyce, 1/6/2014" It was ok sums it up for me. I guess I was expecting something more... I would like to say that the book taught me a lesson or made me seriously think, but it didn't. "
— Stephanie, 1/6/2014" Loved this book, so amazingly intriguing, unique and just i don't even know how to explain it? "
— Maisey, 12/28/2013" Emily and I liked this. a burn victim joins a class and makes a friend. a simple story it was, but engrossing. "
— Debbie, 12/23/2013" Read for the Children's lit class I start in a month. A little girl burned in a fire comes to join a 6th grade class. Kinda sad, but good to watch the changes in the protagonist. "
— Marilee, 12/21/2013" This is a touching story of a young boy accepting a girl who is different from everyone else. "
— Catherine, 12/16/2013" It was OK, I've read it 2 times. "
— Melanie, 11/29/2013" When I read this book I was in 5th grade I hated this book with a burning passion. It was sad and kind of depressing but the message stuck with me for the rest of my life. "
— Arianna, 10/18/2013" it was sad :( "
— Sloan, 10/12/2013" This book makes you think about judging a book (or a person) by their exterior. Are you someone who can look past a hideous exterior to the beauty within a person? "
— Gwen, 8/18/2013" middle school level "
— Katrina, 4/28/2013" I love this book so much especially when it teaches this boy that you shouldnt judge people. "
— 19milleshe, 3/27/2013" dont judge people before u get to noe them "
— Jesline, 3/3/2013" I cried So hard while reading this book. Absolutely heart-breaking! And yet... so sweet. A must read! "
— Just, 9/4/2012" Short and sweet, this story was really awesome. Very TWLOHA. It encourages us to take the plunge, be a little courageous and make a move, even a small one. Even the tiniest gesture can change the life of someone or change the life of you. "
— Lisa, 7/4/2012" A badly burned girl starts a new school. "
— Sylvia, 2/1/2012" This book started off very very slow. I almost quit reading a few times but decided to journey on. It does begin to pick up later in the book. We will see how it ends. "
— Charybean, 10/1/2011" It was pretty good! Quick read, but very little "plot" and it kind of left you hanging. "
— Tiffany, 9/24/2011" An excellent book... makes adults and children think about what is most important in life, and the true value of human compassion and connectedness. "
— Mariah, 6/1/2011" Very moving and quite beautiful. "
— Amy, 5/16/2011" Wow! I can't wait to read this to my class and have them really think about how lucky they all are. Hopefully they will start thinking about they treat each other as well. There are powerful lessons in this story. "
— Jennifer, 5/15/2011" This is a touching story of a young boy accepting a girl who is different from everyone else. "
— Catherine, 3/21/2011" A poignant story of a girl who shows up in seventh grade severely disfigured from a burn accident. Not long enough to really develop characters--more of a short story trying to be a book. "
— Marilyn, 3/9/2011" Great book for a young reader. Boy or girl. Life lessons. "
— Sabra, 3/8/2011" So sad, but meaningful. Kids who make great choices in middle school should get gold medals...it's got to be so hard. "
— Amy, 2/28/2011Tony Abbott is the author of more than one hundred books for young readers, including the bestselling series the Secrets of Droon and the Copernicus Legacy and the novels Firegirl and The Summer of Owen Todd. He has worked in libraries, in bookstores, and in a publishing company and has taught creative writing. Visit him online at www.tonyabottbooks.com.
Jonathan Davis has been inducted into the Audible Narrator Hall of Fame. A three-time recipient and fourteen-time nominee of the Audie Award, he has earned accolades for his narration from the New York Times, Publishers Weekly, the American Library Association, Booklist, the Audio Publishers Association, AudioFile magazine, and USA Today. He has narrated a variety of bestsellers and award-winners for top publishing houses. He also narrated over forty titles of the Star Wars franchise for Lucasfilm Ltd./PRH Audio, including several iconic movie tie-ins, has participated with Star Wars Celebration, and has built a significant fan base. His work as a narrator includes films and programming for National Geographic Television, NOVA, PBS, VH1, and Francis Ford Coppola. He grew up in Puerto Rico and speaks Spanish, Portuguese, and Hebrew.