Summary

In Chapter 5, “Unearthed, February-May 1991,” Jess is called “Phoenix Girl” (65) by her fellow students. When Jess ignores them, they tell her that she is conceited. After a girl taunts Jess, Jess hits her with her book bag. The next day, the students are more aggressive with their name-calling, saying ”, “cunt from hell” and “Jess Winters spreads” (68). Jess meets with the principal and Ms. G, one of Jess’s teachers. Ms. G offers to let Jess have lunch in Ms. G’s classroom.

Jess and Maud mark Jess’s seventeenth birthday, and Maud tries to encourage Jess by saying that her troubles at school will not last. Jess writes a poem in her journal. Jess tries to focus in school and meets Dani Newell through Ms. G., and the two girls become friends. Jess gets a part-time job at Overton Orchards, a pecan orchard owned...