1. Firegirl
Tony Abbott

2. Tony Abbott
Biography

3. Chapter 1 pages 1-6
Character Development: Keep a chart of the major characters in the story. Be sure to include character traits, supported with evidence from the text.
Figurative Language

4. Chapter 2 pages 7-11 Character Development
Do you think that Jeff’s uncle really has a Cobra? On what evidence do you base your opinion?

5. Chapter 3 pages 12-17 Character Development Figurative Language
How does Tom feel about Courtney? Use evidence to support your thinking.
Why do you think the author mentions a new student, Jessica Feeney, in the first few chapters but hasn’t brought her character into the story yet? Explain your thinking.

6. Chapter 4 pages 18-23 Character Development Figurative Language
Vocabulary
marauders
plummeting
infested

7. Chapter 5 pages 24-28 Character Development Figurative Language
What do you think Mrs. Tracy is going to tell the class about Jessica? Explain your thinking.
Vocabulary
primary

8. Chapter 6 pages 29-34 Character Development Figurative Language
Imagine how Jessica must be feeling, walking into a new class being as badly burned as she is. What thoughts are going through her mind? Write a paragraph from her perspective about being introduced to the class.

9. Chapter 7 pages 35-41 Character Development Figurative Language
Why did the author choose to include this scene in the story? What impact does it have on you? Explain in context of the story.
Vocabulary
singeing
acrid

10. Chapter 8 pages 42-47 Character Development Figurative Language
Do you think Tom’s feelings about Jessica are realistic? Would other kids, like you, feel and react the same way? Explain.
How do you think Jessica came to be burned?
Vocabulary
undergoing
graft

11. Chapter 9 pages 48-55 Character Development
Why does Tom not want to talk about how Jessica got burned?
Tom holds Jessica’s hand in the prayer circle, but Jeff does not. Is one boy right and the other wrong? Explain how both of the boys might be feeling. Do you have any evidence to support your thinking?
Vocabulary
wince
prosperous
stern

12. Chapter 10 pages 56-66 Vocabulary harsh slogan Character Development
Jeff says that he won’t touch Jessica because you can pick up diseases from touching sick people. Is Jessica sick? What would you tell Jeff? Explain.
How is Jeff feeling about his parent’s divorce? Use evidence to support your thinking.
Explain the campaign slogan, “A vote for Tom is a vote for TOMorrow!”
At the end of the chapter Tom says something else happened? What do you think happened Explain.
Vocabulary
harsh
slogan

13. Chapter 11 pages 67-72 Character Development
What is the regular thing that the class discovered about Jessica?
How do you think Jessica’s sister, Anne, died?
Vocabulary
inaudible

14. Chapter 12 pages 73-80 Character Development
How and why do rumors get started? What rumor was started about Jessica? How would you feel if you were Jessica and you heard the rumor that people were spreading about you?

15. Chapter 13 pages 81-93 Character Development
Why did the author spend so much time describing Jessica’s room?
What super power would you want and why? How would you use it to help people?
Why do you think Jessica asked Tom if he wanted to touch her face, but then she closed her bedroom door without letting him?
Vocabulary
salve
glint
indestructible

16. Chapter 14 pages 94-101 Character Development
Why would Jessica lie about having a sister who died?
Explain how Jessica was burned.
Vocabulary
garbled

17. Chapter 15 pages 102-110 Character Development
Why do you think Jessica hates her mother?
Do you think Tom should have agreed to go with Jessica, or should he count on Jeff and riding in the Cobra on Saturday? Explain your position.

18. Chapter 16 pages 111-118 Character Development
How would you characterize Jeff? List some attributes and provide evidence from the text to support your thinking.
Do you think Tom’s dream is important? Explain
Vocabulary
marauders

19. Chapter 17 pages 119-127 Character Development
Why do you think Jessica nominated Tom for class president?
Why did Tom feel like he should nominate Jessica for class president?
Why do you think Tom wouldn’t talk on the phone to Jeff, but he did talk to Jessica?

20. Chapter 18 pages 128-131 Character Development
Why did Tom not go with Jeff in the Cobra? Isn’t that what he has been waiting for forever? Do you think he made the right decision? Explain.

21. Chapter 19 pages 132-138 Character Development
What did Tom learn from his time with Jessica? What do you think she learned from him?

22. Chapter 20 pages 139-145 Character Development
Why do you think that Tom and Jeff couldn’t go back to having the same kind of friendship they had had before Jessica arrived?
Explain the impact Jessica had on Tom. What did he learn as a result of knowing her? How did his life change?

23. Novel Projects
Persuasion: Write a letter to the class persuading them to vote for Jessica for class president.
Narrative: Write another chapter to the story from Jessica’s point of view. Explain what she does and where she goes after leaving St. Catherine’s.
Research:
Contact your local fire department and request information on fire safety. Create a poster for the class based on what you learn.
Research the recovery process for burn victims.