The Jellyfish Season [Library Binding]

Mary Downing Hahn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1985

When economic reasons cause two families to merge into a crowded household on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, more personal problems exacerbate the tense living conditions.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The Sara Summer and Hahn's other books are admired as meaty, well-told stories about adolescents facing problems. Her latest is another such, narrated by 12-year-old Kathleen Foster. With her mother and three younger sisters, Kathleen has to move from home to Baltimore to stay with relatives on Chesapeake Bay, while Mr. Foster stays behind to look for work. Kathleen and her fierce sister Patsy, 10, get into trouble, mostly because their cousin Fay, an aspiring sexpot, resents the Foster children as guests in her home. Hanging more heavily on Kathleen's mind are the implications of her parents' separation. She worries about her mother when she overhears discussions between her aunt and Mrs. Foster. The story's events are many and engrossing, but it slips at the confrontation when Kathleen expresses her thoughts to her mother in words too adult for belief. The novel is, nonetheless, a memorable portrayal of ills caused by unemployment.
Copyright 1985 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Always interested in writing, Mary Downing Hahn became a children's author only after experimenting with a wide variety of careers, from junior high school art teacher to college instructor to children's librarian. Today she is the author of more than twenty books that have appeared on countless state awards lists. Her stories run the gamut from historical fiction such as the popular Gordy trilogy, to ghost stories such as Wait Till Helen Comes and Look for Me by Moonlight. Her most recent work, Anna All Year Round, is a gentle and heartwarming story based on her own mother's diaries. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Library Binding: 182 pages
• Publisher: Clarion Books (September 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0899193447
• ISBN-13: 978-0899193441
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,507,982 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Mary Downing Hahn, a former children's librarian, is the award-winning author of many popular ghost stories, including Deep and Dark and Dangerous and The Old Willis Place. An avid reader, traveler, and all-around arts lover, Ms. Hahn lives in Columbia, Maryland, with her two cats, Oscar and Rufus.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I love this book and author!, May 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Jellyfish Season (Avon Camelot Books) (Paperback)

When I first read this book at the age of eleven, I loved it because it was so easy to follow. Now I am fifteen , and I can't count how many times I've read it. It is still one of my favorite books. After reading this one, I was able to find all of the authors books, and read them all. I now own all but the two most recent ones. I n fact this book changed my life in a way. I used to absolutely despise reading, and now it is one of my favorite things. It's true, "There is no Frigate like a Book"! Thank you Mary Downig Hahn, and continue to write wonderful books!!!!!!!!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars True to the time of life, and the location, June 25, 2004

By 

Dawn (College Park, MD United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Jellyfish Season (Avon Camelot Books) (Paperback)

This was one of my favorite books in my young adulthood. Soon after I had moved away from my bayfront house in the town in the book (yes, it's a real town!) I discovered this book on the library shelves. I was amazed that the author was able to capture the essence of North Beach so well. She also does a very good job with the relationships of the girls...I remember that age and the so called "friends" I made. For me it will always be a reminder of my childhood. Highly recommended from someone who has been there :)

And to correct a previous review from someone...This did not take place in New England...Baltimore and North Beach are both in Maryland.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Memory, December 1, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Jellyfish Season (Avon Camelot Books) (Paperback)

I first read this when I was ten years old, and I searched for years for something like it. I related to it, and thrived on this book as a child. After many years, I still think of this book with warm memories and recommend it for any child growing up, dealing with confusing feelings. It helped me and made me feel not so alone.