Firegirl

Author: Tony Abbott

Copyright: 2006

Publisher: Little, Brown

Abbott, T. (2006). Firegirl. New York: Little, Brown.

Reading Level: 4-6

Lexile Measure: 670L

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Description: Challenges, different abilities, friendship, pride, self-esteem, overcoming fears and obstacles.

Delivery Suggestion: Individual or small group.

Summary: Jessica Feeney is not like every other seventh grader, and that becomes very noticeable to her classmates and peers when she attends a new school. Jessica is disfigured and obtains abnormalities about her appearance after suffering from sever burns in an accident. She is attending a new school, St. Catherine’s, to be closer to the hospital where she will be undergoing skin graft treatments. Jessica knew it was not going to be easy. The children react in different ways, but Jessica changes Tom’s life forever.

Electronic Resources:

Tony Abbott Books This is the link to author Tony Abbott’s website. Students can visit the site to learn more about Firegirl, and also receive an introduction to Abbott’s other novels. The site provides viewers with personal information about Mr. Abbott, a Q&A section for writers, a blog, news, and more.

Kids Against Bullying This resource provides students with the opportunity to learn how to spot and stop bullying. It also allows students to share experiences and participate in anti-bullying activities. The projecting message is, “No one should be teased for being different.” Firegirl exhibits to readers that even the smallest gestures, negative or positive ones, can have a powerful impact on someone’s life.

Kid Source This resource provides lots of helpful information about being at ease with handicapped children. Sometimes being on the outside, looking in is just as hard as being the victim. Students can read the information presented to help them identify with Jessica and become informed about how to feel when in her classmate’s situation.

Vocabulary: Skin grafts, hoarse, wince, slogan, inaudible, antiseptic, indestructible.

Teaching Suggestions:

-Use this book to exhibit that diversity and being different is OK. If a new student is attending your classroom, students can read this novel prior to get a closer look at what it is like to be unlike everyone else.

-Use this book to discuss bullying. What did Jessica’s classmates do that was not nice? What did Jessica’s classmates do that made her feel accepted? Have student identify the negative vs. positive gestures that had an impact on Jessica.

-Use this book to highlight leadership roles and what it is like to be a leader. If everyone else were afraid of Jessica, would you have the courage to become close to her? That is a leader. Stress to students the great qualities of a leader.

Comprehension Strategies:

Before Reading: After showing students the front of the book, telling them the title, and reading a brief summary, instruct students to make three main predictions about the novel. Have them generate questions that they may have about the story and keep track to see if these questions are answered as they read. Were their predictions correct? What led them to create these assumptions?

During Reading: Have students take note to Tom’s reaction to Jessica and how it changed over time. How did Tom and Jessica’s friendship build and grow? What events occur during the story to develop this friendship? Have students write a journal entry explaining a personal experience when their initial reaction to something changed overtime.

After Reading: On Tony Abbott’s webpage (listed above), he writes, “Asking questions is one of the best ways to learn anything at all.” Have students write a letter to Tony Abbott asking him any questions they may have for him as an author. Have students include their feelings toward the novel and the impact that Firegirl had on their lives.

Writing Activity:

Have students write an alternative ending for Firegirl. OR, have students imagine Jessica’s next experiences after she leaves St. Catherine’s, and write her story as a sequel to Firegirl.