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The Possibility of Fireflies
With her mother disconnected from the family, her father gone from the scene, and her sister on the way to becoming a juvenile delinquent, loner Ellie's only solace is watching fireflies dance in the sky--until she meets up with Leo who gives her an inspiring lesson that dramatically changes her life.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published October 3, 2006
8 people are currently reading
518 people want to read
About the author
Dominique Paul
4 books21 followersDominique Paul grew up in a Maryland suburb just outside of Washington, D.C., and received her BA in English from the University of Maryland, College Park. The Possibility of Fireflies, her first novel, was published by Simon & Schuster in October 2006 to rave reviews. Kirkus Reviews hailed Fireflies as “sensitively written…immediately gripping and emotionally intense.” TeensReadToo.com raved, “Every so often a book comes along that is so good it feels more like it grew than it was written.”
The Possibility of Fireflies has been optioned to be a motion picture and is currently in pre-production. Meanwhile, Dominique is working on her second novel and writing for several magazines including Marie Claire and Bark!
When she isn't writing, Dominique enjoys being active by practicing yoga and pilates, hiking, rafting and walking with her 11-year-old Boston Terrier, Bella.
The Possibility of Fireflies has been optioned to be a motion picture and is currently in pre-production. Meanwhile, Dominique is working on her second novel and writing for several magazines including Marie Claire and Bark!
When she isn't writing, Dominique enjoys being active by practicing yoga and pilates, hiking, rafting and walking with her 11-year-old Boston Terrier, Bella.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
January 1, 2012
It baffles me and plagues my soul that a book full of insipid ridiculous drivel like Anna and the French Kiss, horribly and obnoxiously written, can garner so many gushing reviews...and a book like The Possibility of Fireflies, so tender, real, raw, evocative and beautiful, and bursting with important, life-changing truth - can be brushed over in comparison. I don't get it. I fell in love with Ellie's voice and spirit, her vulnerability and intense openness to life, beauty, and love. I was riveted, and inexpressibly moved, by her struggle to love - and eventually leave - an emotionally and physically abusive mother.
So many YA novels right now are chatty voices in your ear that fill pages and pages with nothing but shallow magazine style gossip and in the end, leave you feeling dazed and tired. This book actually immerses you in a heart and mind worth exploring, and you walk away, dazzled by elation and sorrow and new wisdom. There are few things more difficult in life than leaving someone you are "supposed" to love, who is "supposed" to love you...yet, it is sometimes the most necessary and important decision you can make, to honor your own spirit and life.
So many YA novels right now are chatty voices in your ear that fill pages and pages with nothing but shallow magazine style gossip and in the end, leave you feeling dazed and tired. This book actually immerses you in a heart and mind worth exploring, and you walk away, dazzled by elation and sorrow and new wisdom. There are few things more difficult in life than leaving someone you are "supposed" to love, who is "supposed" to love you...yet, it is sometimes the most necessary and important decision you can make, to honor your own spirit and life.
December 7, 2012
This book hit close to home. Ellie's childhood was like mine in so many ways. It brought back memories I'd tried to bury. Sigh.
February 20, 2009
I loved this book the ending made me cry and this book is a swirl of emotion throughout the whole thing adn i cant wait for the movie or the sqeuel!!!
June 10, 2012
I am so glad I wasn't disappointed by this book.
I found this in the shelves of a local bookstore when it first came out. I didn't have any money with me then, so I figured I should let it go. It slipped my mind and some two years later, I found it in a bookstore again, and then I went, "Hey, this is the book I wanted to read before!" I didn't have any money with me (again), but I had my mom with me, so I borrowed the bucks from her. Ha! The book was worth it. To date, it's my MOST borrowed book. It even has a hint of lipgloss on one of its pages (I know who did that! >:] ). And while I HATE it when my books (and all my stuff in general) aren't neat, I let the book be. It's kind of a reminder of how many people I shared this story to and how all of them loved it.
Truth is, I don't think I can even write a decent review on this. In fact, I think I am going to write such a messed-up review because I like this book so much. It's just so good that I can't point out what I can't love about it. The writing, the characters, the setting, the issues, the plot, the development, the transition, the dialogues--everything is just so raw and honest and emotional. There are times when I brought it to school and sat in the library and got busy for two hours rereading the scenes and lines in it. It's tragic, and no one even had to die. And the ending is such a big cliffhanger that I went out and messaged the author, Miss Dominique Paul, about writing the sequel, and she said she's working on it. The first book was published around 2006 and I've been anticipating the sequel ever since I finished it in 2008. I've always understood how some sequels always take a lot of time and that's okay, because writing isn't rocket science; I myself have my own hiatuses. But really, I hope the sequel will come soon. I can wait.
5 stars absolutely.
I found this in the shelves of a local bookstore when it first came out. I didn't have any money with me then, so I figured I should let it go. It slipped my mind and some two years later, I found it in a bookstore again, and then I went, "Hey, this is the book I wanted to read before!" I didn't have any money with me (again), but I had my mom with me, so I borrowed the bucks from her. Ha! The book was worth it. To date, it's my MOST borrowed book. It even has a hint of lipgloss on one of its pages (I know who did that! >:] ). And while I HATE it when my books (and all my stuff in general) aren't neat, I let the book be. It's kind of a reminder of how many people I shared this story to and how all of them loved it.
Truth is, I don't think I can even write a decent review on this. In fact, I think I am going to write such a messed-up review because I like this book so much. It's just so good that I can't point out what I can't love about it. The writing, the characters, the setting, the issues, the plot, the development, the transition, the dialogues--everything is just so raw and honest and emotional. There are times when I brought it to school and sat in the library and got busy for two hours rereading the scenes and lines in it. It's tragic, and no one even had to die. And the ending is such a big cliffhanger that I went out and messaged the author, Miss Dominique Paul, about writing the sequel, and she said she's working on it. The first book was published around 2006 and I've been anticipating the sequel ever since I finished it in 2008. I've always understood how some sequels always take a lot of time and that's okay, because writing isn't rocket science; I myself have my own hiatuses. But really, I hope the sequel will come soon. I can wait.
5 stars absolutely.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 28, 2012
Reviewed by Carrie Spellman for TeensReadToo.com
Every so often a book comes along that is so good it feels more like it grew than it was written, like it came into being through its own sheer force of will. That is exactly how I feel about this book.
Ellie Roma is a freshman in high school. She has her fair share of normal high school problems; she hates school, she only has a few friends, she`s insecure about the way she looks, her sister seems like she's become an alien, etc. Ellie's got some bigger problems, though. She's new in town. As if that isn't bad enough, they moved three times when they first got to town. The last time was just next door, so everyone in the neighborhood thinks they're nuts. Her parents recently got divorced, and she hasn't seen her dad in a few months. Oh, and her mom has decided to "take a vacation from parenting."
Ever since her parents' divorce Ellie feels like nothing in her life makes sense. Her sister, Gwen, has completely switched personalities, from cheerleader to juvenile delinquent. Her mother, well, Ellie says it best; "...it's more like she's come unraveled. Like he was the last bit of glue that was keeping her together, and now that he's gone, all the broken parts can take over." Ellie spends a lot of time locked out of the house, basically living by her mom's whim. It's starting to get to the point where it's easier to lie than to tell the truth. Consciously trying to escape her mother's notice, Ellie has become an observer in her own life.
The book is told by Ellie, as things happen. At first it's all observation and barely scratches the surface of Ellie. As the story progresses Ellie opens up more, and allows herself to be a bit more vulnerable. The more vulnerable she lets herself become, the more she begins to be involved in her own life, and the more involved we become. Somehow, before you know it, you are living and breathing inside Ellie's story. By the end of it my heart felt like it had been taken, broken, and given back in the most tender, loving, beautiful way.
At its simplest level this is a coming of age story, but it's also a story of survival, strength, love, hope, and most of all possibility.
Every so often a book comes along that is so good it feels more like it grew than it was written, like it came into being through its own sheer force of will. That is exactly how I feel about this book.
Ellie Roma is a freshman in high school. She has her fair share of normal high school problems; she hates school, she only has a few friends, she`s insecure about the way she looks, her sister seems like she's become an alien, etc. Ellie's got some bigger problems, though. She's new in town. As if that isn't bad enough, they moved three times when they first got to town. The last time was just next door, so everyone in the neighborhood thinks they're nuts. Her parents recently got divorced, and she hasn't seen her dad in a few months. Oh, and her mom has decided to "take a vacation from parenting."
Ever since her parents' divorce Ellie feels like nothing in her life makes sense. Her sister, Gwen, has completely switched personalities, from cheerleader to juvenile delinquent. Her mother, well, Ellie says it best; "...it's more like she's come unraveled. Like he was the last bit of glue that was keeping her together, and now that he's gone, all the broken parts can take over." Ellie spends a lot of time locked out of the house, basically living by her mom's whim. It's starting to get to the point where it's easier to lie than to tell the truth. Consciously trying to escape her mother's notice, Ellie has become an observer in her own life.
The book is told by Ellie, as things happen. At first it's all observation and barely scratches the surface of Ellie. As the story progresses Ellie opens up more, and allows herself to be a bit more vulnerable. The more vulnerable she lets herself become, the more she begins to be involved in her own life, and the more involved we become. Somehow, before you know it, you are living and breathing inside Ellie's story. By the end of it my heart felt like it had been taken, broken, and given back in the most tender, loving, beautiful way.
At its simplest level this is a coming of age story, but it's also a story of survival, strength, love, hope, and most of all possibility.
December 19, 2009
Highly recommended read about a girl named Ellie. The story is set in the 80's in Maryland. Ellie and her sister Gwen live with their newly single mom who spends most of her time culminating her bitterness, drinking, dating, sleeping, and sometimes lashing out at her daughters, especially Gwen who likes to push her buttons. Ellie's character is extremeley likeable - she is funny, honest, down-to-earth, insightful, and hopeful, reminding me of "Daisy Fay and the Miracle Man" or "Shug" by Jenny Han. I loved the writing and the 80's references (although this may not gel with teens these days if they aren't familiar with 80's pop culture). There are these great moments in the book when Ellie realizes something that are just really poetic and lyrical, like when her crush says something to her "He'd paused after he said it, as if he were making sure I'd received it. I did receive it, felt it travel into the smallest parts of me, and then I felt my breath leave me, and I felt all the blades of grass stand on end to pay attention. And in that moment, I felt the whole wide world open up, felt it get bigger." I think they are making it into a movie, which I would love to see. I would definitely re-read this one.
October 22, 2009
i was reading reviews on this book and i was almost turned away, I'm so glad i didnt though. so yeah ok there are a lot of bad words in here but come on i hear them all the time on the t.v., in the streets, even my sister, 10, hears the b-word from her peers, at school! I'm not saying its OK in fact parents need to monitor that a LOT more. but this book calls for using bad language it makes the story all the more believable. let face it when we fight we say thing that are mean and hurtful. the last scene with Gwen and the mom is something i've seen happen, it was scary. and trust me they were not using nice language. i wouldn't recommend it to my sister not now but in like six year for sure. it made me cry, it made me laugh, made me gat mad at the guy in the band(not Leo, the one from the concert) for being an a**. I'll never forget this story, i hope they don't cancel production, and i hope book 2 comes out soon. :-)
April 27, 2013
This is a young adult novel that really got to me. For starters, I'd like to say that I love time period that this story is set in. The vintage back drop-- Leo's rock band, Gwen's bad girl act,wild late-night concerts-- really makes me want to be a part of the '80s. Furthermore, I found Ellie to be a very endearing character simply because she is more of a loner and is in that awkward teenage stage. I admire her confidence because she pursues Leo, even though she is a few years his junior (to put it lightly). Her bravery in standing up to her mother and making the painstakingly difficult choice to not give into the peer pressure around her restored in me a gram of pride in humanity. The first time I read this novel, I bawled my eyes out at the beauty of Ellie's independence and the pain she has to suffer. The second time I read this novel, I found it just as riveting and inspiring. I recommend this novel to all young adults.
February 25, 2009
I bought this book thinking it was going to be great. It was alright in the beginning. But I found it very odd. And it wasn't that great. It was an easy read but the ending wasn't all that great either, and you sit there thinking i read all of this for what?
To put it simply there are better books to read.
To put it simply there are better books to read.
July 1, 2008
I really loved the heroine's voice in this book. I loved her ability to laugh even though her life was a mess. All of the 80's references helped me identify with her even more. This is a must read.
July 20, 2024
A tender coming of age story.
Ellie is dealing with being new at school, due to moving with her family again. Her mom is a semi-alcoholic and “taking a break” from parenting. Her dad moved out and it’s become too much trouble to stay in touch as her mom gets abusive when they return. Her older sister Gwen is acting out and gettin trouble. Ellie keeps trying to find her way, to find someone who sees her for who she is. Leo is an older boy living across the street and hoping to make it as a musician. Ellie develops a crush on Leo and he befriends her. Events come to a head one night and Ellie must decide if she can rescue herself or continue to live with her mom and risk being crushed beneath her thumb,
Set in the 80s, this was a touching story that should have a wide appeal to teens. It’s well written and the story is uplifting.
Ellie is dealing with being new at school, due to moving with her family again. Her mom is a semi-alcoholic and “taking a break” from parenting. Her dad moved out and it’s become too much trouble to stay in touch as her mom gets abusive when they return. Her older sister Gwen is acting out and gettin trouble. Ellie keeps trying to find her way, to find someone who sees her for who she is. Leo is an older boy living across the street and hoping to make it as a musician. Ellie develops a crush on Leo and he befriends her. Events come to a head one night and Ellie must decide if she can rescue herself or continue to live with her mom and risk being crushed beneath her thumb,
Set in the 80s, this was a touching story that should have a wide appeal to teens. It’s well written and the story is uplifting.
February 26, 2019
Heartbreak washed over me on a multitude of levels. The first being why isn't this rated higher? My guess is, it's the same reason I loved it; it's not clean. No, not in terms of sex, but rather the situations and language are not serenading you with superfluous sayings, nor is the ending some sugar coated nonsense. Ellie gets to escape, but not through the love of some guy (even one as kind as Leo), but rather, self-love. I related to Ellie's struggles more than I care to remember and this book brought it all back, for better or worse. From the lack of food in the fridge, to being awed by the unconditional love at a friends' house/dinner table, I felt it all. I also, like Ellie, didn't stick around to make my parent love me; sometimes you have to put yourself first, and that's hard to write about in YA: it's ok to become estranged from those who hurt you (even family) if it means healing yourself. Reading this made me appreciate my life and how far I've come. God, I'm tearing up a bit just writing this review, I'm so sorry for the ramble, guys. Ellie's escapist escapades and eternal optimism among the fireflies soothed the brutality of this work (and boy is it ever brutal). But it serves a purpose. Without it, the story would lose its meaning. I love that Leo isn't wanting to be Ellie's reason for living; he wants her to live for herself. The lines that broke me were ones whose sentiments echoed those which flew from my own lips (substitute "Daddy" for "Mommy") all those years ago and I've never looked back: "You know what, Mommy? Maybe I'm not shit. And maybe nobody will ever love me. But anything is better than this."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 24, 2020
I was 13 when I first read this book and, for the 10 years since then, I have found myself re-reading it every other summer. I have officially read this book five times and I plan to read it again before my last semester of summer starts.
This book hit me in such a peculiar way and NO book since then has had the same effect. Many have come close, of course, but none have left me feeling so heard and understood that I need to revisit them again and again. Ellie is a "lost girl," something I found myself becoming more and more each passing year until I finally reached my twenties. This book captures that "lost girl" feeling PERFECTLY. It also deals with a lot of family drama and, with myself being a child of divorce, I could relate to Ellie's struggle. It was perfect reading for me then just as I still feel drawn to it now. I have always related to Ellie so perfectly and completely, something I have yet to find in another protagonist (especially in today's YA). I felt as though it was both of us sitting outside on that front stoop, watching fireflies light up the night and it was both of us that hopped on a bus and left our old lives behind.
I recommend this book to every person I meet, young and old. Every reader finds that one book that shapes their entire life experience, and this was mine.
This book hit me in such a peculiar way and NO book since then has had the same effect. Many have come close, of course, but none have left me feeling so heard and understood that I need to revisit them again and again. Ellie is a "lost girl," something I found myself becoming more and more each passing year until I finally reached my twenties. This book captures that "lost girl" feeling PERFECTLY. It also deals with a lot of family drama and, with myself being a child of divorce, I could relate to Ellie's struggle. It was perfect reading for me then just as I still feel drawn to it now. I have always related to Ellie so perfectly and completely, something I have yet to find in another protagonist (especially in today's YA). I felt as though it was both of us sitting outside on that front stoop, watching fireflies light up the night and it was both of us that hopped on a bus and left our old lives behind.
I recommend this book to every person I meet, young and old. Every reader finds that one book that shapes their entire life experience, and this was mine.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 2, 2015
"The Possibility of Fireflies" tells the heart-wrenching story of 14-year-old Ellie and her struggles with her emotionally abusive and neglectful mother. Ellie and her older sister, Gwen are essentially taking care of themselves after their dad leaves and their mom begins going out every night drinking. Gwen is also starting to party and use drugs as a way to escape the horrors of home. Ellie has no one to turn to until she meets her 20-year-old neighbor, Leo. Leo may just be the person to help save Ellie. Ellie's voice is realistic and she has a way of describing things in almost a comical way, while still showing the gravity of the situation. This book would be great for more mature female adolescent readers. Apparently there are rumors that this book could be turned into a movie.
June 20, 2017
While not the best writing in the world, it was really good writing for a debut novel and had an AMAZING plot line and really great characters who went through real-life situations. While I WISH WITH ALL MY HEART it was longer, it's only just over 200 pages. Still, Paul does an amazing job making you cry with this book and it goes deep into being an abused child - one of the best fiction works I've read that included child abuse that was in a contemporary novel. Overall, could've used a little bit more editing, but was still amAZING in terms of characters and plot.
Read it three times since I got it a month and a half ago.
Read it three times since I got it a month and a half ago.
August 23, 2011
I met Dominique Paul at a local event and she was really dynamic, super friendly and down to earth. She even gave me and my sister her own copy of Fireflies that she read from during her talk and signed it for us when they sold out of her books.
Fan-girl crush aside, this was a good read. Ellie is the type of character that you feel instantly drawn and connected to. It's easy to relate to her and her story. I also thought it was fun seeing local places mentioned and knowing just what she means about Maryland and MoCo.
Fan-girl crush aside, this was a good read. Ellie is the type of character that you feel instantly drawn and connected to. It's easy to relate to her and her story. I also thought it was fun seeing local places mentioned and knowing just what she means about Maryland and MoCo.
November 8, 2008
This book is about a 9th grade girl who has a very troubled home life. The book focuses on how she finally learns to deal with her troubles. The book made me sad for the girl, but I enjoyed reading her story and following her through her experiences. It was a quick read. . .I finished it in about 3 days.
April 27, 2008
I love YA novels; can't wait to see the movie version. A fourteen year old female narrator tells the story of how her and her older sister navigate their teenage years with their hard-partying, promiscuous, abusive mother. Set in the 80s, which makes it a super-cool book.
July 11, 2008
Easy read, fun 80's memories mixed throughout (like what they wear and stuff). Kept me interested and that means good. lol And of course, an evil mom. But all moms are evil when you're 14, right? ;)
November 8, 2011
I thought this book was a really good book because there was a lot of what will happen or why did this happen. The only thing I didn't like about this book it doesn't talk more about what happened at the end.
October 29, 2007
SOUNDS SOOOOOOOOOO GOOD!!! I can't wait to read it!
February 6, 2008
Well-written, balanced perspective of a neglected childhood, with some hope at the end.
September 20, 2008
this is my favorite book ever!!
November 13, 2008
this book is very interesting. i would reconomend it to any girl. it is more of a girl book. a girl has lots of problems she cant figure out why everyones life is better than hers.
February 3, 2009
this book is so amazing . i love the end of it so much !
November 25, 2009
tells you to go out to get what u want.
January 17, 2010
This is the book that got me into reading.
Its such a great book.
Its such a great book.
March 23, 2010
this is my favorite book that's out there because it's so real and not some huge made up story. Things like this happen in real life and this shows exactly my feelings if i were in ellie's position
September 5, 2010
This one was really good. A great finding yourself novel.
November 5, 2010
I love it and wished so much that he went with her.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews