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Fireflies in December

By: Jennifer Erin Valent
Narrated by: Kate Forbes
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Publisher's summary

This award-winning, coming-of-age gem by Jennifer Erin Valent recounts one farm family's struggle against racial bigotry in Depression-era Virginia.

When Jessilyn's parents begin raising her best friend as their own daughter, this kindness toward a dark-skinned orphan triggers threats and violence. While teetering on the brink of womanhood, Jessilyn must learn to be a shining light in a dark world.

©2008 Jennifer Erin Valent (P)2009 Recorded Books, LLC
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Critic reviews

"Winner of the Christian Writers Guild's 2007 Operation First Novel contest, Valent has created a darkly evocative historical novel that boldly explores the divisive effects of unreasoning hatred, greed, and fear on a community already struggling with the economic and racial tensions caused by the Depression and exacerbated by the Ku Klux Klan." ( Booklist)

What listeners say about Fireflies in December

Average customer ratings
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I loved this story.

This book kept my interest and attention and I finished it quickly. I look forward to the next two books in the series.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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The contrast between good and evil.

The story that exposed the hearts of both sides is a good example to follow.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Her mothers love of Jesus.

For younger readers in my opinion. I don’t understand how people can hate others because their skin is a different color.

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  • Overall
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The bravery of those standing up in the early days for the blacks journey for equality

I appreciated the descriptions of those days of discrimination by the author as well as the wonderfully developed characters of that trying time in history.

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  • Overall
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Heartwarming

Beautiful sentiment and beautifully written and narrated. Although Jessie does get herself in a lot of trouble - she is very likeable. Highly recommended.

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  • Overall
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Great read

this was a really easy book to listen to. The narrators voice was easy on the ears.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Surprisingly interesting

Where does Fireflies in December rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Probably in the second 20%. There were a few I really loved and this would be right behind those. Definitely would recommend

What did you like best about this story?

The perseverance of the family

Have you listened to any of Kate Forbes’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

this was my first - she was excellent!

If you could take any character from Fireflies in December out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Probably Otis - just wasn't as well developed

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2 people found this helpful

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Beautifully Written

I had the privilege of reading this book many years ago before it was published. I was given a copy of the book on typed pages from a friend of the author. I absolutely fell in love with the book then and fell in love with it again. There are some books that stay with you forever and this is one of them. I would love to see an adaptation for the screen someday. I recommend this book and hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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I'll Never Look @ Fireflies The Same

What did you love best about Fireflies in December?

It's truthfulness. That's also what I hated about it!

What other book might you compare Fireflies in December to and why?

The Help perhaps because of the racial story line.

Have you listened to any of Kate Forbes’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, I haven't.

If you could take any character from Fireflies in December out to dinner, who would it be and why?

I can't remember her name but the woman who took the two girls into town for lunch. Why, because she is brave.

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☀️

One of my favorites. I have read this three times over the years. So sweet.

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