Firegirl by Tony Abbot explores an unexpected
budding friendship between Tom and Jessica Feenay fostered by overcoming fears
of differences, acceptance of disabilities, and understanding that being the
better person can be hard, but achievable. When Jessica Feenay entered her new
middle school, St. Catherine nothing could prepare Tom and his 7th grade
classmates for the severe burn scars they see on Jessica’s entire body.
Even the teacher is
shocked when she sees her; with Jessica being part of the class nothing seems
the same because she looks different. Tom struggles with wanting to ask Jessica
what happened, yet he feels fearful that he may say or do the wrong thing when
around her. Tom surprises himself when he gradually accepts, defends, and
overcomes his fears by getting to know Jessica.
As his classmates
and best friend mocks her, some like Courtney recognizes Tom’s generosity and
compassion toward Jessica. Just when things seem to be heading in the right
direction despite possibly losing his best friend, Jessica breaks the news that
she must leave because her treatments are not working. Tom realizes that he was
not the best he could have been to Jessica, but soon finds out that she was most
appreciative of Tom’s willingness to become friends even as others feared the
unknown.
Tony Abbot depicts
how mean, fearful, and unaccepting of differences are when face with the
unknown. He allows the reader to go through a roller coaster of emotions that
Tom’s experiences as he gradually accepts and understands what Jessica has gone
through. The author clearly wanted the readers to empathize with Tom’s struggle
as he is torn between adoring Courtney, pleasing his best friend, Jeff, and
becoming friends with Jessica.
This book is a
perfect way to introduce students to acceptance of other’s disabilities and
challenges in their lives. This is a must read and have in a classroom library.
Students will truly connect to text, self, & world especially since the
character’s development and turning points are well done. Firegirl by Tony Abbot is
an outstanding book—“5.”
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