The Promise

This story is set in what we would call pioneer days. The family lives in a log cabin, farms using horses and travels using wagons. The mother has recently died and it is Christmas Eve. The surviving family members try to be cheerful and the children do all the things that their mother would have wanted. While giving the animals their Christmas presents, one of the children is chased by a bear. Their dog Sara defends the child and is badly hurt by the bear. However, in a series of "miracles" the child manages to find their way back for help and Sara recovers. This is a book that children will find both sad and inspiring. It really is less about miracles than about the bond between humans and their beloved pets. I recommend it for children in the age range third grade.

I read THE PROMISE and loved it. It's a great Christmas story for kids. I know they will love it too!

A short and simply-written book for young readers. A young girl, her father and brother are experiencing their first Christmas without their mother/wife who has recently died. The family dog, Sara, helps the young girl cope, but the dog is attacked by a bear and it looks as though the dog is not going to make it. Yet, the young girl hopes for a Christmas miracle.

I read The Promise as a chapter book to my children (ages 3 to 7 yrs) at bedtime, around Christmas this year. I have never seen my children more anxious to get to bed than that week or two that it took to finsih the story. I was as interested as they were to find out how Sara, Jamie and Matt would make out on this Enchanted Christmas Eve. Great Story!