Firegirl (13 page)

Reader’s Guide

1. Tom is a pretty quiet kid. The only person he really talks to is his friend Jeff, who doesn’t seem to listen to him anyway. Tom’s mom tells him he needs to “get out there.” What do you think that means? What are some ways you “get out there”? Name some things Tom could do.

2. It’s obvious that Tom has a crush on Courtney — every day he daydreams about saving her life. Why do you think Tom imagines he’s a superhero? What do you think of his “small powers,” like being able to skip really fast or having an indestructible finger? If you could choose a superpower, what would it be and why?

3. Mrs. Tracy decides to hold elections for Tom’s class and allow everyone to vote. Do you like this idea? Would you run for class president? How would you campaign and what would you say in your speech?

4. When Jessica Feeney arrives in Tom’s class, all the students are speechless. Some are even disgusted. Why would they act that way? What do you think makes them afraid? How would you act if you had to meet Jessica?

5. While all the other students talk about Jessica behind her back, Tom feels awful about it. He wants to tell them to stop, but he can’t. What makes it so hard for Tom to tell them to stop talking about Jessica? Why do you think he cares? Would you tell your fellow students to stop talking about someone that way? What would you say?

6. At St. Catherine’s, some of the students give Jessica a hard time. Jeff doesn’t hold her hand, and some kids say mean things about her behind her back. Why do you think Jessica still wants to go to school with other kids? Do you think she’s a stronger person because of it? If you were Jessica, would you go to St. Catherine’s?

7. Tom hardly ever talks to anyone besides Jeff, not even his parents. But the few times he goes to Jessica’s house, he starts to tell her things he’s never told anyone else. Why is he able to open up to Jessica? Why do you think she understands him? In what ways are Jessica and Tom alike?

8. Jeff complains to Tom about his parents’ divorce, because his dad doesn’t seem to want to see him and his mom is too busy working. Name some of Jeff’s actions that show he’s angry at his parents. What are some better ways for him to deal with the divorce? Do you know of a friend whose parents are divorced? What effect has this had on how your friend deals with his or her parents? Would you be angry if you were in Jeff’s place?

9. Although Jessica was only in Tom’s life for a few weeks, she made a big impact on his life. After she leaves, Tom feels like a completely new person. How do you think meeting Jessica changed Tom’s view of life? What do you think happened to Tom? Has there been a person in your life who has changed you in the same way?

Find out what boarding school is
really
like!

Blow Out the Moon

A novel by
Libby Koponen

W
hen Libby, a feisty girl from New York, moves to London, her first school experience isn’t the greatest. She’s teased by the students and even the teacher is mean. But when she is sent to a private boarding school in the country, things start to look up.

www.lb-kids.com

Available wherever books are sold.

Hachette Book Group USA

Sometimes the cruelest abuse can come from words

Call Me Hope

by Gretchen Olson

Eleven-year-old Hope has friends, is doing well at school, just started a part-time job she loves, and is looking forward to the end of sixth grade. But Hope has a big problem—her verbally abusive mother. Instead of running away, Hope chooses resilience and confronts her mother about her hurtful words and helps her begin to change.

www.lb-kids.com

Available wherever books are sold.

Hachette Book Group USA

New from
jerry spinelli

Eggs

N
ine-year-old David has recently lost his mother in a freak accident and he’s taking his anger out on his grandmother. Thirteen-year-old Primrose lives with her childlike, fortune-teller mother, with a framed picture of the father she never knew. Witness how their unlikely friendship helps them deal with what is missing in each of their lives.

www.lb-kids.com

Available wherever books are sold.

Hachette Book Group USA

Neil Swanson

Tony Abbott
is the author of over sixty books for young readers, including the extremely popular Secrets of Droon series. He has worked in bookstores and libraries, and currently lives in Connecticut with his wife and two daughters. His Web site is www.tonyabbottbooks.com.

Also by Tony:

*”The plot shimmers with originality ... a genuinely heartwarming tale.”

—
The Bulletin
(starred review)

“There is...,” Mrs. Tracy was saying quietly, “there is something you need to know about Jessica....”

“It’s a beautiful story, a sad story, brilliantly written, a story you’ll never forget.”

—Newbery Honor winner Patricia Reilly Giff

* “Abbott’s stirring novel ... leaves a big impact.”

—
Publishers Weekly,
starred review