December Stillness (Avon Flare Book) (Paperback)

by Mary Downing Hahn (Author) "WHEN I LEFT Mr. Poland' classroom, I saw Julie waiting for me by my locker, but she was too busy fussing with her hair to..." (more)
Key Phrases: great attorney, reference room, army jacket, Mad Dog, Uncle Ralph, Owen Mills (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
A 15-year-old's desire to help a homeless Vietnam vet teaches her about the devastating impact of the war. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
Grade 6-9 There are two climactic scenes in Hahn's new novel: one in which a homeless man is killed in a traffic accident after being barred from the library; and a powerful, moving, and convincing chapter set at the Vietnam War Memorial, in which the protagonist's father finally comes to grips with his war experiences. Yet there is no clear focus to the novel, and no direction to any of the myriad other issues that Hahn tackles: adolescent angst, individuality and conformity, the homeless, Vietnam veterans, library policies on vagrants, and more. None get the treatment that they deserve, and the story suffers as it meanders. An underachieving, show-off type high-school freshman who is trying to carve a niche for herself among her friends and her family, Kelly is concerned for a homeless, possibly deranged man whose troubles are a result of his experiences in Vietnam. This teen, who does well in an honors English class but almost fails other academic subjects and finds refuge in the children's section of the library, who abhors the shallowness of her friends' interests but acts smart alecky to gain their approval, comes across as being more inconsistent than three dimensional. The moments of great writing here serve only to underscore those too-abundant plot elements that do not work. David Gale, ``School Library Journal''
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Paperback: 181 pages
• Publisher: Avon Flare; Stated First Printing edition (September 1, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0380707640
• ISBN-13: 978-0380707645
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #155,024 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars December Stillness, January 21, 2000

By	Gina (Streetsboro, USA) - See all my reviews

I really enjoy reading Mary Downing Hahn's books. This book gives a good introduction for teen readers to understand just a little bit from different points of view from war veterans. But I'll admit the book did move a little slower than her other books. But other than that, it was another good read with a surprising ending and touching chapters that made you keep reading.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE BEST BOOK!!!!!!!!, November 1, 1998

By A Customer

The book, December Stillness is one of the best out of my two favorite books that I have ever read. I mmust tell you that reading is definetly not my favorite thing to do at all, but when I read a book and like it, That means that it is really really good! I think this book is best for teens, and young adult readers but should be read by all. It is a sad, touching book that can capture many peoples hearts and should not be ignored! You should read it. TRUST ME!! ITS THE BEST!!!!!!!!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars December Stillness, December 11, 2005

By	Mizzy Hoopie "Missy" (Southern Cali) - See all my reviews

I thought this book was a wonderful story of a girl-Kelly-who, through some investigating of a vietnam vetran, found that there are reasons that people are having trouble groing on with their lives after the war. It had a good plot to it, and, though predictable in a way, kept you interested in what would happend. Also, it was a very emotional book, because when Kelley finally begins to understand why Mr. Weems-the vietnam vetran of their town- is the way he is, she begins to understand her dad and find why he is the way he is. She did not know how effecting the war was on men who went. I thought it was a wonderful book, and though i've read it i would read it again any time.