On My Honor: A Newbery Honor Award Winner

This is a very good book about the consequences of peer pressure, and reckless behavior. Unlike what another reviewer has said, there is no 'detailed description' of the boy's drowning. And, any child old enough to read this book is old enough to have heard or read the word, 'hell'. That being said, this is a book for middle schoolers and up. A child has to have some experience with peer pressure, and the desire to prove oneself to one's friends, to appreciate this story.

On My Honor was a story about two friends, Joel and Tony. Joel must come out of the dark and tell the truth about the incident at the river. It is something he will live with for the rest of his life. I enjoyed this book because the author caught my attention right away. I was intrigued with the conflict between the two main characters. There were so many conflicts running through this story that I was at the edge of my seat. I also felt very close to the characters. The author developed the characters so well that I felt like I knew Tony and Joel. They could have been my friends. The author wrote in a style in which I felt the same emotions as the characters. Wow! I remembered a time when I lied to my parents when I was a young child. I remember being distraught over the lie until I finally told the truth. I understood how Joel agonized over telling the truth. This was a great book which teaches a strong lesson. It is important not to deviate from one's "honor".

Bauer, Marion Dane. (1986). On My Honor. Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing New York. This was what I would call a tremendous quick read because you could just go right with Joel, who is twelve and on a bicycle trip with his reckless best friend, Tony. You are just hooked as soon as the plot begins to thicken, when Tony stops at the river and suggests a swim and the boys argue you can just so relate, and then on a dare both boys try to swim to an island in the middle. Without disclosing too much of the actual details, this book is just magnetic, because the plot heightens to the point of tears. It is an emotionally strong story simply told all in one day's time. The realistic portrayal of a grieving boy's conscience evolves you to be sympathetic for the father and son. This plot escalates to anger, fear, and personal loss and would be a great read for any young person with emotion and heart.

Before I start this review let me say that I am the mother of two (11 and 9), and a grade school teacher. This book covers a subject that is every parent's nightmare! (Your child fights for their life, and you are not able to help them.) All kids believe that they are immortal, and because of this, they are fearless. But we, parent's, know better. We try to protect them, and teach them right from wrong. We pray that they will make the right choices in life, but know that sometimes they won't. It is this fearlessness, and the possibility that things just may go terribly wrong, that is discussed in this book. Not in a preachy parent style, but rather from the viewpoint of a scared and helpless child. As I read this (and by the way, I read it in one seating-not able to put it down--not able to catch my breath),I realized that this is a book that my children must read. Every child should read it!! But not without adult guidance. The book and it's subject matter call for discussion. Your child may need comforting after this book, but it also will wake them up to the fact that there are dangers out there, and they must be careful. Decisions made in the blink of an eye can change an entire lifetime, or in this case, end a life.PLEASE, read this one and then discuss it!!!!!