Fireflies in December (2008) (edit title/settings)

Ridiculously Simplified Synopsis edit see section history

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Summary edit see section history

Characters edit see section history

• Jessilyn Lassiter: 13-years-old, feisty and determined. She tells the story of one terrifying summer when her family becomes a target of the Ku Klux Klan.
• Gemma Teague: 15-years-old and tragically orphaned. She is Jessilyn's best friend despite the fact that she's black and Jessilyn is white - an unacceptable relationship in Depression-era small-town Virginia.
• Luke Talley: 19-years-old and Jessilyn's first love even though he's out of her reach... for now!
• Harley and Sadie Lassiter: Jessilyn's parents who are shunned by friends and neighbors after taking Gemma in as their own.
• Miss Cleta: Jessilyn's elderly neighbor who encourages her with wise words and a spunky disposition.
• Walt Blevins: Local Klansman who makes it his mission to harrass Jessilyn.
• Miss Jessie: Nickname for Jessilyn
• Otis Tinker: The town's sheriff and a good friend of Harvey Lassiter.
• Buddy Pernell: A boy Jessilyn's age who constantly picks on her.
• Jessilyn Lassiter: Jessilyn lassiteer is a spunky person. Jessilyn is very dominant when it comes to the boys in her town.
• Gemma: gemma is very girly and frilly. she is very wise despite the fact she is like only 14.
• Mr. Dane: Add a description of this character.
• Duke: The Lassiter's pet dog.
• Ginny Lee: One of Jessilyn's few friends who's relationship is affected by her situation with Gemma.
• Mr. Stokes
• Cole
• Mr. Donley
• Harley Lassiter: Jessilyn's father; A hard working, family man who does sticks to what he believes even if that means going against the majority.
• Slater

Quotes edit see section history

• “'That light is bright enough to light up a little speck of the night sky so a man can see it a ways away. That's what God expects us to do. We're to be lights in the dark, cold days that are this world. Like fireflies in December.'”

  Harley Lassiter

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• 'That light is bright enough to light up a little speck of the night sky so a man can see it a ways away. That's what God expects us to do. We're to be lights in the dark, cold days that are this world. Like fireflies in December.'

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• Ain't no way to change the world for the better if you can't stand up for what's right when everyone else is wrong.'

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• But God taught me a lesson about angels that day. They don't always wear wings and carry harps. Sometimes they can just be people. People who open their hearts up to do things God tells them to do.

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• 'with the stubborn way human hearts can be, it's a miracle when we give kindnesses away with no benefit to ourselves.

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• the human heart is fragile and needs constant attention.

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• 'Jessilyn, ain't no man can't get someplace he never thought he'd get to. You let enough bad thoughts into your head, you can end up doin' all sorts of things you never thought possible. Otis let evil into his mind and it took over his heart. We best be on our guard and keep our minds on what's right and true so we don't become things we'll regret.'

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• It was the beginning of a time that taught me bad things can turn into good things, even though sometimes it takes a while for the good to come out.

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• I suppose that, too, is what life is like between people. Some good things, some bad things, a good bit of understanding ... And a lot of love.

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• 'Mr. Stokes, ain't nothin' bad ever changed to good without startin' a little commotion,' she replied. 'Long as we keep a good Christian attitude with people, a little commotion can change a lot of hearts.'

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• 'I don't know why God likes to make us so hot.' 'Maybe it's to remind us why we don't want to go to hell.'

  Highlighted by 118 Kindle customers

Setting & Locations edit see section history

• Calloway: The town that the Lassiter's live in / where the story takes place

Organizations edit see section history

• Ku Klux Klan: Add a description of this organization.

First Sentence edit see section history

Series & Lists edit see section history

Followed by Cottonwood Whispers.

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

1. Jennifer Erin Valent (Author)

First Edition edit see section history

Awards edit see section history

• Audie Award (2011: Inspirational Fiction)
• Christy Award (2010: First Novel, Winner)
• Christian Writers Guild's Operation First Novel contest (2007)

Classification edit see section history

• Library of Congress: Add the Library of Congress Classification.
• Dewey: 813.6

Notes for Parents edit see section history

Add a note to help parents select a book for a child.

Subjects edit see section history

• Books › Religion & Spirituality › Christianity › Literature & Fiction › Fiction
• Books › Literature & Fiction › Genre Fiction › Historical
• Books › Literature & Fiction › Women's Fiction › Domestic Life
• Books › Literature & Fiction › Contemporary