Abbie Thirstein (Firecracker), forced to move from her grandparents’ farm to Norman, Oklahoma, because her father is now working for the US Navy, finds her quick temper constantly gets her into trouble.. Abbie hates the town and fears 7th grade at a new school. She encounters an unknown enemy and nearly dies in a flood, but learns how to survive in spite of the troubles of World War II (1944) society.