As they rallied around Abby's birth in the cotton field, the townsfolk of Ponca City, Oklahoma, continue to rally for the girl who was marked to be special for them throughout her life. The strong ties of this community help Abby survive a tornado, a physical assault and the revenge of a deranged neighbor. Abby continues the circle of care and support when she learns her grandmother's gifts of medicine and in turn adds her strength to the community. (14 years and older)

Abyssinia Jackson was born in 1951 in an Oklahoma cotton field, next to a bonfire, and is marked by the fire in the form of a birthmark. After a tornado strikes, Abyssinia is assaulted by a neighbor. While the local women do their best to heal her emotional scars, Abyssinia cannot bring herself to use her beautiful singing voice again. Once her family is united, she decides to become a healer. This National Book Award-winning novel of one young woman's experience is an affirming celebration of the human spirit and the power of a community.