December Stillness (Recorded Books Presents) by Mary Downing Hahn

December Stillness (Recorded Books Presents) Reviews

• 
  jess

  I apologize in advance for this rant but...
  This book was actually the book with the most annoying main character of all time. I have never wanted to chuck a book at a wall this much ever. I had to read this for school so I had to push through this book and it was terrible. This book had great potential. It had a serious tone to it- the trauma that soldiers go through during war. It’s not something to kid about. Throughout the book the main character pressures her dad to talk about the war even though it’s very clear that he’s uncomfortable and wants to broach the subject much more gently. But she doesn’t care, she wants answers and it’s so annoying and rude. Also, aside from that, throughout the book she’s bashing people for liking the suburbs. Like what did the suburbs ever do to you!!! She thinks she’s so above other people like “how can you people like the suburbs nothing ever happens you’re all so lame” like stoppppp. At one point she like yells at her mom and I’m like could you not!!!??? This main character was so annoying that it took away from the overall message about what the war did to young soldiers. I couldn’t really think about how meaningful the message was when the narrator made me want to scream.
  
  Ok I’m done my rant. Srry if I’m a bit harsh 🤷🏼‍♀️
• 
  Rlis82

  This book irritated me. Hahn essentially rehashed the premise from "Daphne's Book" which told the story of a sensitive and insecure girl who tries to befriend a female classmate living in poverty while completing a school assignment. In "December Stillness" we get all that and so much more that renders the novel a hopeless mess.
  
  Kelly McAllister is a typical eighth-grader. She doesn't like school, her friendships are complicated, and she has a very distant relationship with her father. This much was believable if not tiring. She's on the verge of failing a social studies class unless she gets an A on her final paper for which she decides to write about homelessness. To give her paper just the right punch, she tries to interview a homeless man who hangs around the public library to stay warm when the weather is cold. The homeless man, Mr. Weems, tells Kelly he just wants to be left alone. From there, Hahn devotes more than 100 pages to Kelly's multiple attempts to try speaking to Mr. Weems all the while learning from the library's staff that he was a Vietnam vet (just like Kelly's father), may have been a heroin user, and may even be living with PTSD. The latter two may only be hearsay, but Vietnam ultimately removes the story (and Kelly) so far from the theme of homelessness that I can't help but wonder if Hahn herself was lost in her own messy little book. I can only assume so for Kelly ultimately divides her time between stalking (yes, stalking) a man who wants nothing to do with her and arguing with her father who prefers not to speak of his own days in Vietnam. The book's brevity is a small comfort, but leaves too many questions such as if Kelly wanted to write about homelessness, why doesn't she interview a person who wants to speak to her; why doesn't Kelly just write about Vietnam instead of pestering Mr. Weems; or (more importantly) how did Kelly manage to crank out so much as a paragraph for her paper when her actions in the book wouldn't qualify as research.
  
  I must hand it to Hahn that her prose is readable and Kelly is as believable as any naive and idealistic young adult would be, but the story itself has no real direction.
• 
  Pam

  This is another book that isn't a 3, but not quite a 4. Through much of the book, I had to fight the sigh of resignation that comes from reading the typical teen book where the protagonist is mad at the world, spends much of the book feeling sorry for herself, and rationalizing why it's OK to shrug off school. The end of the book found me with tears running down my face.
  
  December Stillness is another book where the author uses fiction to address the societal ills of the world. In this case the protagonist deals with immature, giggly friends, a distant father, an artist mother who has sold out her talent to the greeting card world, and who is personally frustrated with the futility of her life.
  
  In the process of finding a topic for a research paper, our 9th grade protagonist chooses to focus on the life of a homeless Viet Nam vet. She comes up against the normal stereotypes and reactions towards the homeless and in the process of trying to get to know the vet learns about post traumatic stress disorder. She learns many life lessons, but I loved the lesson she learns about her father the most.
  
  December Stillness starts out superficial, but ends with an emotional tug that made the story worth the read.
• 
  Chloe :)

  This story was sad, but tastefully written. As someone who didnt know much about the Vietnam War, I found it every enlightening.
  My only complaint is that Kelly seemed very whiny and self-serving. Even when trying to help Mr. Weems, she never considered what was in his best interest.
• 
  Shayla

  Even though Mary Downing Hahn’s ghost stories are my favorite middle grade nostalgic reads, her more serious books like Following My Own Footsteps are great too. However, this one really doesn’t translate well 40 years later (though does any story from 1988?) I think the things kids experience now days are a lot harsher so Kelly just comes off as kind of a whiny brat instead of the more compassionate social crusader she would have in the 80’s. Now it is normal that middle school/high school kids are concerned about the homeless or veterans with PTSD and Kelly’s efforts seem a little self serving, though it does show some character growth. Also, I think it’s just harder to understand the social and political climate that Vietnam vets had to go through coming home because I didn’t grow up in that era and veterans from Iraq or Afghanistan didn’t get the same treatment. I think there is still some good talking points about war and how Kelly feels really dismissed by her dad because she’s not what he wants that could be good. I did cry at the end a couple times because I had really become attached to some of the characters, but over all I don’t really see kids connecting with this one anymore.
• 
  Danielle

  There's a lot I like about this story, written in the 80s, and about a fourteen-year-old surrounded by adult vets returned from Vietnam. I appreciate the protagonist's worry about bigger issues, her impatience with a mom who paints dragons when there's real stuff going on in the world, and the true gulf between her and her father. I like that she speaks up to him about becoming a corporate lawyer when he used to be an idealist.
  
  I do not like the way she repeatedly gets in the face of someone who tells her over and over to leave him alone. I understand that these chain events needed to happen for the plot development, but I just wanted to shake her sometimes.
• 
  Stephanie A.

  Ahhhh, blissful 80s nostalgia. *wraps self up in time capsule cocoon* When being "current & relevant" meant addressing Vietnam war vets and/or their untreated PTSD.
• 
  Leih

  "December Stillness," is written by a librarian Mary Downing Hahn. Hahn does a good job narrating a teenage girl named Kelly McAllister or "Mad Dog Kelly," coined by her long-time
  male friend Keith, goes through what teenagers go through -angst, identity formation, confusion, rebellion. Parents do not have fun once their kids reach teenage years; it becomes more challenging.
  
  The female character Kelly comes across a homeless man who visits the library on a daily basis. She becomes curious about him after she decides to write a paper on war veterans. The homeless man carries a large garbage bag for his belongings and sits at the library and just reads. She talks to him as a dare challenged by one of her friends. She makes a scene and the librarian warns her. Despite her friend's warnings of Mr. Weems' weird disposition, she approaches him again at the library. She provokes him next time and Mr. Weems, the homeless man throws something at her. She does not see that Mr. Weems is dangerous. She is a teenager. Next time she visits the library she finds out from the librarian that people in the community reported complaints of Mr. Weems and he is no longer allowed to stay at the library. She feels guilty. There is a small scene in the book where she finally talks to Mr. Weems in a conversation at the park. This is the highlight of the book. All the book has been leading up to this moment. There is not much said. There is not much connection between Kelly and Mr. Weems; Mr. Weems is a Vietnam war veteran who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD. While Kelly is different from typical girls or her friend
  Julie who likes to shop and dress up, she is not that crazy or odd.
  
  Hahn does a good job depicting some of the feelings teenage girls may experience - their distant relationship with their father as they are no longer small and cute, individuality vs. conformity to what is popular and acceptable, witnessing her parents' relationship with each other, not knowing how to relate to their parents. Her mother is an artist who illustrate holiday cards and she is disappointed at her mother for not pursuing her dreams. Kelly tells herself she "shall never ever give up," a good tenacious attitude for someone who has not found herself yet. Her father only cares about money which she cannot relate to. Her mother assures her that her father was once a hipster who could not care for stocks and making money. Life does that to us. We change because our lives change.
  
  I first read this book as a teenager, most likely fifteen or sixteen years old and I can relate to the main female character Kelly. If I as a teenager was able to connect and relate to Kelly McAllister, than the author did a good job voicing a young teenager. I would have liked to have seen Kelly develop more of a relationship with Keith, the guy who calls her "Mad Dog McAllister," because she bit him when they were young. Kelly seemed to have feelings for Keith but the author does not explore their relationship. Keith may have not seen Kelly that way, he calls her "Mad Dog," not a compliment.
  
  The book focuses more on Kelly's interest in Mr. Weems, and her inner thoughts. There is not much action that happens. Even when Kelly did mean well, bad consequences result from Kelly's provocation. She is not experienced and trained in dealing with someone who has a serious problem. The ending is appropriate and it gives light to repercussions of the war. Not every soldier died at war, but their life's energy, their thirst and joy for life died at the war front. Mr. Weems is one of the soldiers that survived the war, but his being changed.
• 
  Tegan

  Discovered among my library’s shelves. Quick read. Recommended for Gen-X readers for sure.
  
  The book, published in 1990, probably won’t resonate well with kids of the modern era with the references to 80’s/90’s trends (like going to the mall). However, there are definitely aspects that could be translated into our world today. Basic plot: Kids of privilege who have no clue about the real world trying to make sense of it all in the only way they know how. The main character, Kelly, is an awkward high school freshman who thinks she has adults all figured out. She attempts to befriend a local homeless veteran in the most cringeworthy manner. Her persistence causes ripple effects that end up affecting the lives of many people in her community- most without her knowledge.
  
  I think we could probably all see ourselves in the characters in this book -especially when we remember our own self-absorbed journeys through adolescence. Maybe this book could be helpful for teens today trying to understand veterans of the modern era returning from Iraq/Afghanistan/other conflicts who are experiencing similar struggles with PTSD.
  
  Spoiler 🚨 Alert: Veterans, Be prepared to sob throughout the final chapter as the Main Character gains a better understanding of the guilt Vietnam War Veterans faced coming home when 58,156 of their American comrades did not.
  
  
• 
  Melissa

  Mostly exposition until the grisly climax and satisfying denouement, December Stillness may be my least favorite book by MDH. THe interesting thing for me, having grown up in Elkridge, MD, was the realization that she had set the book in a factionalized version of her hometown of Columbia, a planned community. I almost spent more time being nostalgic for places I knew and recognized from my childhood even though she changed about 50% of the names. Even down to the description of the anchor stores in the mall, the accuracy was just so uncanny. Perhaps a fresh perspective would have read the story more objectively.
• 
  Miriam

  Yeah, there’s some frustration with the main character, but isn’t that what art is supposed to do: provoke feelings? Not to mention the main character is supposed to be a hormonal teen who knows nothing about life but thinks they know it all. I was much like her when I was that age, so maybe that’s why I didn’t feel like “chucking” the book or whatever other people are rambling about.
  The frustration the character evokes is part of what makes Hahn such a great author. If you want to be bored to death, go read the dictionary.
• 
  Fadra Nally

  I read this book with my 13 year old son for school and we both thought it was pretty bad. It’s definitely dated (written in 1988) and hasn’t aged well. But the characters are just the most stereotypical people ever and they’re inconsistent at that. It’s clear the book was written for a MESSAGE but I’m still not clear what that was. As two dimensional as you can get.
• 
  Kayla

  Boring story line. Had to read for school.
• 
  hapit na madugta

  A reread! Never fails to break my heart.
• 
  Lily Armstrong

  This is one of the only books that I have cried for. I will never forget this book and how much Kelly tried to help Mr. Weems.
• 
  Cara

  Read in middle school. A very good book!
• 
  Sarah

  Left me speechless. Another great one from Mary Downing Hahn.
• 
  Rachelle

  One sad read but still good
• 
  liya

  absolutely beautifully written it was easy to read but so interesting. it doesn’t seem like a book i’d read for a school club but it was amazing. i read it in under 2hrs and i loved it.
• 
  zlata ౨ৎ⋆ ˚｡⋆

  3.5 stars
• 
  Alexis

  I've got some antagonistic feelings about this one.
• 
  Charleigh Cole

  This book omg it was so irritating the writing is fine but the MC is insufferable I hate her so much.
• 
  Dee Dee G

  I almost quit halfway through, because the main character and her dad are annoying.
• 
  Krystle Anne

  I originally read this book while in the 7th grade. In fact, the entire class read the book as a whole and discussed it aloud. I was immediately drawn to the main character, Kelly McAllister, a young girl who (at the time) stood out to me as brave and unique. While she often felt misunderstood and as though she didn't quite fit in anywhere, she was also a free spirit. She was forever getting into trouble for causing mischief in one way or another and she had a strange sense of humor that most just did not understand.
  
  As a young adult, the details of the book eventually faded away, including the name. But I remembered loving the book, even still. What little bit I did recall was minute...a young teenage girl, a library, an army jacket with a peace sign painted on the back, a homeless veteran who was tragically killed, and a visit to the Vietnam War Memorial. For years, I searched for the book - even asking fellow classmates and friends if they, by chance, could recall the name. Sadly, no one could.
  
  A few years into my search, I finally came across it while on goodreads and I immediately knew that it was my book! I quickly marked it "5 stars" and added it to my favorites list. Needless to say, while I was skimming through my book lists a week or so ago, I decided to pick it back up and read it again.
  
  It's been nearly 25 years and surprisingly, my opinion hasn't changed at much.... This was, and still is, one of my all time favorite books! As I started to read through the first few chapters, I slowly began to remember small bits of the details that I had once forgotten. Yes, the main character was a bit naive - and even a bit self absorbed in the beginning. But isn't that to be expected (for the most part) from any 14 year old girl? She was often impulsive, and at times, very inconsiderate of others and how they felt.
  
  As the story develops, we watch as Kelly goes from almost bullying Mr. Weems just for attention and laughs to wanting to befriend him and help him. She truly becomes invested in making a difference in his life.... In a very short time, Kelly starts to grow, both emotionally and intellectually.
  
  In the end, she was still an impulsive 14 year old girl - one who makes mistakes and still has a lot of growing up to do, as any other teenager would. But she also sees the world in a slightly different light. She begins to understand that there is more to life than just laughing and cracking jokes, and for the first time in a long while, she almost feels understood by those around her.
  
  All in all, this was a very well written book. The story will draw you in and keep you on your toes from beginning to end. I'm glad I chose to read it again, and this time around I still believe it deserves a solid 5 star rating!
• 
  Eden Silverfox

  14-year-old Kelly feels out of place everywhere nowadays. She doesn't fit in with her friends, she and her father don't get along. And she really wishes her mother would use her talent on real art instead of greeting card designs.
  
  Kelly is changing, trying to find her place, find her own path in life and make a real difference. That's why when she decides to interview a local homeless Vietnam vet for school, it becomes more than just getting a good grade to her. Kelly wants to be his friend, to help him. No matter what she does, she can't seem to gain his trust. What had happened to him?
  
  I wasn't sure if I'd enjoy this book, but it ended up being very touching and even made me tear up a few times.
  
  I felt Kelly was a very believable main character. Some may say she is just a typical teenager. I've even had that people say that to me when relating my own teenage experiences. I feel that is dismissive, though. Yes, how she feels and her experiences may be similar to yours or what other teens are going through, but I don't feel saying typical is right. Similar or not, everyone's experiences are unique to them.
  
  That being said, I did like Kelly. She wasn't perfect and made mistakes, but I felt I could relate to her. I remember feeling lost and that I didn't belong.
  
  I'd say the only thing that bothered me was the view of other characters. How they viewed the homeless, or more specific, the local homeless vet. I know this was written in the 80s, but this view held by some of the characters, I feel really relates to even our time. Some people still hold a negative view of those who are homeless. They look down on them, think they are lazy and they just aren't trying.
  
  Kelly's relationship with her father isn't the best. She's growing and changing, finding her path in life. He wants a different path for her. Both don't understand each other. I really liked to see how their relationship changed at the end.
  
  I thought this was a really good book and I'd recommend giving it a read if you get the chance.