On My Honor

On My Honor

Written and Illustrated by: Marion Dane Bauer
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Grades: 3-5
Awards: Newbery Honor 

This book follows two boys, Joel and Tony. Both boys grew up with each other from when they are babies, but their personalities are different from each other. Joel likes to play everything safe, but Tony loves adventure and is on the fun side. One summer day, Joel was able to convince his father that him and Tony will visit the state park a few miles away and will be completely safe coming back. Tony tells Joel that they should visit and climb Starved Rock, which is a large and dangerous cliff that everyone says to stay away from. Halfway on their trip to Starved Rock, the boys stop at Vermillion River, a forbidden and risky river. Joel was tired of being made fun of by Tony, so he convinced Tony to a swimming race to the sandbar. Once Joel reaches to the sandbar, he looks back and he could not find Tony anywhere. Joel tried his best looking for Tony in the river even with a help of strangers, but Joel finally realized that Tony has drowned and died in the river. Joel arrived back home and did not tell anyone immediately of what happened to Tony, instead he lied to his parents that he didn't go all the way to Starved Rock because he was feeling sick, so he came back home and leaving Tony alone to go to the cliffs. Joel had to do his newspaper route around the neighborhood, but while he was throwing newspaper to the houses, all he could think about is Tony's death and the consequences he would have to face. That night, the police have arrived to Tony's house to announce that they found his clothes and bike near the river. Joel and his father went to their house and Joel finally admitted the truth of what happened when they went to the river and how Tony drowned. All night, Joel argued with his dad that it was his fault that Tony died and that it should have been him that drowned. Joel's father reassured him that it is the choices that you make can determine your fate.

This book was really good to read and it was a bit emotional to read. I believe this book is needed in every classroom libraries. This book is best fit for third to fifth graders. This book would be good for book club, where the students can discuss with what has happened in the book. The students can also write a short essay about what decisions you make can lead to consequences.