Fireflies symbolize how when a person is set free and when they are allowed to be who they are, that person is able to “shine” or reveal their true value and purpose. The novel opens with Melody on her porch deck watching her little sister chasing fireflies in the backyard to put them in a jar. When one bug lights on Melody’s hand, she has a chance to study its beautiful lines as “one tiny bloom of bright yellow-green light gleamed from its body” (2). When Mrs. V points out that the fireflies might much prefer being freed from the jar, the fireflies are released, and they dazzle the night. Similarly, later during one of the campfire nights, the campers rush about trying to capture fireflies in their hands. Noah Abercrombie, Melody’s friend, catches two and holds them in his cupped hands. Trinity reminds the campers that fireflies just want to be free to fly around and be fireflies and “make the night sky pretty. And hang out with other little fireflies” (116). At that, Noah opens his hands and lets the fireflies fly, “lifting themselves into the darkness. Free” (117).

Noah’s name for Melody is “Miss Firefly.