Parents' Guide to Firefly Hollow

Violence & Scariness

Lots of bad things happen to characters and their loved ones, and though the deaths of characters and their loved ones occur offstage, the distress of the bereaved doesn't. A friend's crippling injury motivates a character to think outside the box; another character almost dies in a fall. Poignant partings, for example:

"Gloria blinked slowly, her blue green eyes disappearing and then reappearing. She was crying. Far off in the distance, the river glinted. The storm was over. The young crickets closed their notebooks and started to return to their desks.

"'I'd go with you if I could,' whispered Gloria. 'But I can't. Leave, for both of us.'"

Positive Role Models

Though often young and foolish, Cricket and Firefly are brave and determined in pursuing their dreams, as well as in thinking for themselves instead of following conventional wisdom that makes no sense. Peter, their human friend, is coping with a lot of issues because of his lost friend, but he remains a true friend to Cricket and Firefly, even when he's told they're "imaginary." Adult characters, human and otherwise, especially Elder (a firefly), Vole, and Peter's mom, show much love and wisdom in the support and guidance they give the young ones.

Positive Messages

Strong messages about being a good friend, including not forsaking the ones you have, and about how love, friendship, hard work, and patience help you in hard times. Also about finding your own path in life and how that's ultimately a good thing for everybody.

Educational Value

As they follow the characters, readers will pick up bits of historic knowledge (for example, about baseball and Yogi Berra) and learn about natural phenomena, such as gravity, and the fact that the air gets thinner the higher you fly.