Firegirl
By Tony Abbott
Genre: Middle Grade Fiction
Personal Rating:9/10

I am enrolled in a Children's Literature class right now, so be prepared to see a lot of middle grade novels on the blog. This was the first book I read for this class and even though it does target a younger audience I really enjoyed it.

Firegirl is about a boy named Tom, a seventh grader who's biggest worry in life is how he can impress the cute girl in school, that is until a new girl moves into their class. The new girl, Jessica, looks quite different from the other students. Jessica was in a fire and now her looks were enough to frighten the other students away from her, even Tom. But as more about Jessica and her accident is reveled, the more Tom looks at his own life, and what's important to him. What is too much to ask for and what exactly can you know about a person from first glance?

I thought this book was outrageously cute and chalk full of important messages for kids. It's about learning to, not only except, but love those who look different or strange. Although I haven't read many middle grade novels before, I thought this one was exceptional. I would recommend it to kids between 10-15.