Catching Fireflies

The Sweet Magnolias, Book 9

By: Sherryl Woods

Narrated by: Stina Nielsen

Length: 10 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

When bullying threatens to destroy a teen’s life, painful memories resurface for dedicated high-school teacher Laura Reed and pediatrician J. C. Fullerton. With the support of the Sweet Magnolias, they bring the town together to ensure that a promising student’s future isn’t ruined — and to establish once and for all that bullying has no place in Serenity, South Carolina.

Both J.C.’s and Laura’s passion for the cause is deeply personal, and their growing feelings for each other are just as strong. But with so many secret hurts to overcome, can these two vulnerable lovers find the strength to believe in happily ever after?

©2012 Sherryl Woods (P)2021 Dreamscape Media, LLC

Thought Provoking

This was the best book I read from Sherryl Woods. The bullying story brought tears to my eyes. It brought back memories of my daughter being bullied because she is autistic.
It also brought out (though not truly expanded upon) adult bullying. It talks about how bullying not only affects the person being bullied, but how many others are affected. It also discusses the emotional impact that is felt by the victims. I wonder how many teen suicides are the result of bullying that is never addressed.

Stuns Nielsen is an amazing narrator!

Best performance

Best performance. I’ve read these books before and this performer is exactly how I always heard each character.

How. They. Show bulky is not right. And it’s the parents & teacher need to find ways to see it

Loved how it was written and with the romance of it and how really our generation of kids the days are going. Thats some parents and teacher’s adults are in denial or don’t see it for what internet done to our world’s

Taking another look at bullying

I find it interesting that this was written over 10 years ago but still brings home the same points now if not more so. During these past 3 decades of mass school shootings, bullying m, isolation there seems society is still pushing for 1st amended vs privacy which gets filtered down to our children. With over worked parents, not able to monitor all social media let alone devices like phones, laptops, game consoles etc, there is no wonder it’s easier than ever to cyberbully others.

I think the main point in this book for me was how Laura kept trying to hold off everyone from making this trial as a witch hunt for one child, who yes was doing horrible things to remember they are still a child. You cannot take up for only the victim but try to understand why the bully is tending to pick on others. That doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be punished. However it was refreshing to see some on take a look outside the box.

I grew up in a small town similar to this. Everyone new everyone’s business. With less than 5k people there was only 2 high schools in the county. While I was never one to be bullied my brother was. This effected him deeply. Most know the higher the IQ the likeliness one does not associate or understand social cues properly. Some say they’re just carefree while others think they have a problem with them. Just remember not everything is about you.

This is a good book to help remind our younger generations of consequences, having compassion for their fellow man and taking a step back to try and the bigger picture.

I also have to commend the speech at the rally. I can’t remember her name but even I felt in trouble after it lol.

Enjoy!

Great author

Love thins author!! She’s a great storyteller!! Am planning on reading the whole Sweet Magnolia series

Great listen!

I’ve enjoyed the entire series but found this particularly interesting due to the bullying theme.