A theme that never fails to move or inspire is
courage in the face of adversity. The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon is about Trisha
McFarland, a nine-year-old girl, who sets off on a six-mile hike along the Appalachian Trail with her older brother, Pete, and her recently divorced mother. Exasperated by the never-ending squabbles between her mother and brother, she strays off the trail and then, in an attempt to catch up through a short cut, she becomes lost in the wilds: a labyrinth of
unseen danger and terror. As darkness approaches, her only defense is her clever imagination, and the
courage and conviction to overcome her escalating fears. She tunes her Walkman to Boston Red Sox baseball games for some comfort, and follows the performances of her idol, relief pitcher Tom Gordon. As her radio’s reception begins to wane, Trisha imagines that Tom Gordon is with her – shielding and guarding her against an unseen, but real, enemy, who has left behind traces of wrecked trees and butchered animals in the woods. Through sheer grit, faith and wisdom beyond her age, she overcomes her fears, sustaining herself in the woods for several days. Ultimately, she is also able to confront the creature stalking her across the wilds, the unseen enemy, with great nerve and fearlessness, before she is rescued. Stephen King weaves an intriguing tale of Trisha’s adventure in the woods, all alone, with only her ingenuity for company. The book literally puts the reader in Trisha’s mind, giving an insight into the nine-year-old’s feelings, thoughts and her resolve to outlive her unseen adversary. A thrilling and gripping thriller, sure to enthrall its readers!