On My Honor

by Marion Dane Bauer Narrated by Johnny Heller

Overview

The sun beats down on 7th-graders Joel and his best friend as they pedal up and down the hills outside of town. Before leaving home, Joel had solemnly promised his father-on his honor-they would only go to the state park. He didn't explain they were planning a daring climb on the sheer river bluffs there. But on the way, when the boys reach the bridge over the raging Vermillion River, they change their minds. They will cool off in the water instead of pedaling so many miles. After all, isn't swimming safer than rock climbing? Critically-acclaimed author Marion Dane Bauer creates a compelling story of choices and their consequences. On My Honor is not only a soul-stirring novel, but an exciting adventure book as well. With his compassionate performance, narrator Johnny Heller provides the perfect voice for Joel as he struggles with his conscience.

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

This is a devastating but beautifully written story of a boy's all-consuming guilt over the role he plays in the death of his best friend. Joel and Tony have been together since they were babies. Although Tony's crazy jokes and wildness sometimes make Joel feel as if he were much older, and even make Joel angry, no one is as exciting as Tony. But when Tony suggests they climb the bluffs at Starved Rock, Joel is frightened, knowing how dangerous the bluffs are. He's also afraid of Tony's sharp tongue, though, so he asks his father for permission to ride his bike to Starved Rock, certain that his father will say no. When his father says yes, Joel finds himself riding Tony's old, beat-up bikewhile Tony coasts along on Joel's 10-speedout to the state park. Halfway there the boys cross the Vermillion River, and Tony, who earlier had refused to go swimming at the pool with Joel, decides to swim in the river instead. Angry at Tony's lack of sensethe river is both dangerous and dirty Joel dares Tony to race out to a distant sandbar with him. Then the unthinkable occurs: Joel reaches the sandbar; Tony disappears. The realization slams into Joel with its hideous finality. Tony is dead, and it is all his fault. Joel's efforts to cope with his staggering sense of guilt are handled with stark reality, so that the reader shares his sense of the enormity of life's unfairness. Yet within Joel's first perception of the total uncertainties of life, there is also the steadfastness of his father's love. While there is death, there is also love, and Bauer's honest and gripping novel joins the ranks of such as Katherine Paterson's Bridge to Terabithia in its handling of these issues. (9-12)

School Library Journal

Gr 4-6 Twelve-year-old Joel has unwillingly agreed to bike out to the state park with his daredevil friend Tony. ``On his honor,'' he promises his father to be careful, knowing that Tony wants them to climb the dangerous park bluffs. When they arrive, however, Tony abruptly changes his mind and heads for the river. With his promise jangling in his mind, Joel follows Tony in for a swim. Tony drowns in the dirty, turbulent water, leaving Joel to face his guilty conscience, and his father, alone. In this short but solid novel, Bauer effectively portrays the dilemma of pre-adolescents, old enough to want to meet their own challenges without adult interference, young enough to want grownup protection and reassurance. Joel understands only too well the moral dilemma he faces, but he is so bound by peer pressure that wrong choices and tragedy are almost inevitable. Bauer's association of Joel's guilt with the smell of the polluted river on his skin is particularly noteworthy. Its miasma almost rises off the pages. Descriptions are vivid, characterization and dialogue natural, and the style taut but unforced. A powerful, moving book. Barbara Hutcheson, Greater Victoria Public Library, Canada

From the Publisher

"A powerful, soul-stirring novel told simply and well." — Booklist

Product Details

BN ID:	2940171024710
Publisher:	Recorded Books, LLC
Publication date:	12/15/2008
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	8 - 11 Years

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