BookBright
ABOUT THE BOOK
NO SPOILERSTom Bender is a quiet, self-described invisible seventh grader at St. Catherine's Catholic school who spends most of his time daydreaming about saving the life of a beautiful classmate named Courtney and waiting for his friend Jeff's uncle to arrive in a legendary red Cobra sports car. Then one October Monday, a new student named Jessica Feeney joins his class, and everything changes. Jessica was severely burned in an accident and her appearance shocks the class into silence. As Tom watches his classmates gossip and keep their distance, he finds himself drawn into a brief but real connection with Jessica, one that forces him to confront what it means to actually show up for another person.
Free Battle of the Books questions for Firegirl
SPOILERSEvery one of these has the same answer, and that is the point. In a real battle the question is read aloud with a dozen other books in play, and students have a few seconds to place it. Here is what a battle might ask about Firegirl. Use them as a quiz, a trivia round, or BOTB practice.
Where in the book they come from
- Early in the book
In what book is the narrator obsessed with his friend's uncle's restored 1960s red Cobra sports car?
✓ Answer
Firegirl by Tony Abbott
Tom loves the fat 1960s Cobra and dreams about riding in Uncle Chuck's red one. The promised ride hangs over the whole story as something Tom desperately wants but keeps getting postponed.
- First half
In what book does a classmate refuse to hold a burned student's hand during a class prayer ring?
✓ Answer
Firegirl by Tony Abbott
When the class joins hands for a prayer about the upcoming election, Jeff stands stiffly with his fists in his pockets. He refuses to hold Jessica's hand, and Mrs. Tracy never says a word about it afterward.
- First half
In what book do classmates start a cruel rumor that a student killed her sister by playing with matches?
✓ Answer
Firegirl by Tony Abbott
By the end of lunch the class has invented a story that Jessica started a fire that killed her sister. The rumor grows wilder all afternoon, with new versions adding curtains, candles, dogs, and curses.
- Second half
In what book does a boy tell a burned classmate that having one indestructible finger would be the coolest superpower?
✓ Answer
Firegirl by Tony Abbott
Tom shares his secret theory of small powers with Jessica, naming an indestructible finger as the perfect example. He says small powers beat super strength because no one would ever say no.
- Second half
In what book does a man explain his daughter was burned waiting in a running car outside Dance World?
✓ Answer
Firegirl by Tony Abbott
Mr. Feeney rambles through the story of the accident outside World of Dance or Dance World, and Tom pieces it together. Jessica and her mother go there for recital tickets, and Jessica waits in the running car when an old man in a truck slams into it.
- Near the end
In what book does a boy receive only one ballot in a class election after refusing to vote for himself?
✓ Answer
Firegirl by Tony Abbott
Tom feels like the loser when Kayla calls out his lone vote. Jessica turns to him and apologizes that he should have voted for himself, recalling his slogan.
