Eliza is a beautiful disabled girl Thomas meets one day, who seems to understand him. She is older than Thomas, but is thrilled when Thomas sends her a letter that says she is the most beautiful girl in the world. Because Thomas was kind to Eliza, in spite of her disabilities (a missing leg and missing fingers on one hand), she becomes his close friend. She also joins the women in their read aloud club, and at the end of the book, Jesus tells the angels, who are all "hopelessly in love with him," that Thomas is only interested in in the girl with the leather leg.