Content Warning: This section of the guide discusses racism and death as a result of substance abuse.

In What the Fireflies Knew, KB experiences a gradual (but incomplete) coming of age over the course of the novel because of circumstances beyond her control and because of her growing ability to understand those circumstances. When the novel begins, KB is a child who understands her identity as one rooted in family and traumatic experiences like finding her father dead of an overdose and being without a house in the aftermath. She responds to these experiences by assuming adult responsibilities despite her young age.

Because KB is adultified, she believes at the beginning of the novel that it is within her power to address being without a home and to heal rifts among family members. KB also believes that she has to hold her fear and sadness inside. She initially learns this lesson by watching how her mother responds to adversity. When her mother informs KB that KB and Nia will be staying behind with Granddaddy, KB initially refuses to cry, thinking, “If Momma can fake a smile when she wants to cry, so can I” (16).