Firegirl

Seventh grade loner Tom Bender’s life is changed by his friendship with Jessica, a severely disfigured burn survivor in Tony Abbott’s moving contemporary middle grade novel, Firegirl (2006). Shy and empathetic, Tom gradually overcomes his fear of Jessica and gets to know his new classmate, causing a rift between Tom and his friend, Jeff. While Jeff spreads malicious talk about Jessica, Tom sees past Jessica’s exterior to the person inside. Abbott sensitively explores themes of friendship, self-discovery, finding one’s voice, and the importance of accepting and including difference. Firegirl received starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly and The Bulletin and won the Society of Children’s Writers and Illustrators Golden Kite Award in 2007 for excellence in children’s literature. A companion novel, The Great Jeff (2019), continues the story of Jeff’s troubled home life and his broken friendship with Tom.

Pagination in this study guide refers to the Little, Brown Books for Young Readers edition (2007).

Plot Summary

First-person narrator Tom enjoys the daily school routine as he starts seventh grade at St. Catherine’s Catholic school. Tom rarely speaks in class, and most people—adults and other kids—overlook him. Tom is highly compassionate and has trouble articulating his feelings and thoughts. Stressful conversations make Tom feel physically ill.

Tom has one friend, Jeff Hicks, whom he has known for about three years. The two of them hang out at Jeff’s house after school, though they do not talk about much. Jeff’s parents are divorced, and Jeff lives with his mom, who works long hours as a nurse. Jeff holds a lot of anger towards his parents. Tom’s own home life is stable and supportive, though Tom’s mom wishes he were more social. Jeff’s uncle owns a red 1960s Shelby Cobra, the “fat” kind of racing car that Tom has always admired, and Jeff promises Tom that he will give him a ride.

In school, Tom daydreams about smart, pretty Courtney Zisky. Courtney features in Tom’s fantasies in which he heroically rescues her from myriad dangers using his unique, but eccentrically small superpowers. In real life, Tom knows Courtney is out of his league because he is fat and unpopular.

Their teacher, Mrs. Tracy, announces an election for class president. Tom intends to nominate Courtney to get her and others to notice him. Mrs. Tracy also apprehensively announces the arrival of a new student: Jessica Feeney, who is badly burned and is receiving treatment in a nearby hospital. Jessica’s burns are so severe that Tom cannot even imagine how she survived. Jeff is repulsed by Jessica, but his callousness upsets Tom. After school, Jeff sets one of his radio-controlled cars on fire, noting that the melting plastic looks like Jessica. He likens her to the comic book figure, The Human Torch. Tom is appalled.

Tom fears Jessica, who now sits across the aisle from him in class, and he tries to avoid looking at her. He thinks about her constantly. He researches the types of treatment she is getting and imagines how painful it must be. Jessica is quiet in class, and no one talks to her. Gradually, Tom looks at Jessica and realizes there is a person inside.

Jeff, in contrast, reviles Jessica. He says she is “gross,” refuses to take her hand during the daily prayer, and spreads rumors that she is to blame for the fire that injured her. When Jessica accidentally drops a photograph, the class sees a picture of a pretty blonde girl whom Jessica claims is her sister. Tom is thankful that now people have something normal to talk with Jessica about until Jessica reveals that her sister died. Rumors fly that Jessica killed her sister and is a fugitive from the police. Tom is disgusted by this talk. Instead of going to Jeff’s house after school, he brings Jessica her homework.

Jessica talks about her treatments, her mom, and the class election. Tom surprises himself by sharing his thoughts about superhero powers with her. Mr. Feeney explains that Jessica does not have a sister—she is the pretty girl in the photo. Tom cries when he learns that Jessica was trapped in their burning car in an accident. She will never look the same again. Tom is distraught, and the knowledge makes him feel different.

Tom turns down Jessica’s offer to join her and her father for lunch because Jeff’s uncle is supposed take Tom for a ride in the Cobra. Tom feels guilty but reasons that he has earned a ride. Tom waits all day, but Jeff and his uncle do not arrive. Tom angrily realizes Jeff lies a lot and does not care about other people. Jeff is angry at Tom’s interest in Jessica.

On class election day, Jeff hurts Tom by nominating Courtney before Tom does. Jessica nominates Tom. Tom decides to nominate Jessica to help her integrate into class, but he is so quiet he isn’t certain he even speaks. After school, Tom visits Jessica, intending to apologize for failing to support her. On the way, Jeff and his uncle pull up in the Cobra and invite him for a ride. Tom refuses, infuriating Jeff who curses “Freaking firegirl!” Jessica announces she and her family are returning to Boston. Tom is devastated. He apologizes for fearing her and not talking to her enough. Jessica did hear Tom say her name during the election, and finds that meaningful, though she jokes he should speak up more. Tom laughs and cries. The two hug and say goodbye.

Courtney tells Tom he was nice to Jessica, and Tom tearfully responds that he wishes he had done more. Tom feels changed. He is no longer close friends with Jeff and does not fantasize about Courtney as frequently. Tom thinks about Jessica often, and knows if they meet again, they will both talk a lot, and he will thank her.