"The Firestarter" is a science fiction novel written by Stephen King, published in 1980. The story follows a young girl named Charlie McGee, who possesses the psychic ability to start fires with her mind. This power, known as pyrokinesis, draws the attention of a secret government agency that seeks to control her abilities for their own purposes. As Charlie struggles to understand her powers and protect herself, she is on the run with her father, Andy McGee, who also has psychic abilities. The novel explores themes of government control, the consequences of power, and the bond between parent and child.