Killing Miss Kitty and Other Sins

Our Stories: A Fiction Workshop for Young Authors (Follow-Up To: What's Your Story?)

Am I Blue?: Coming Out from the Silence

A Writer's Story: From Life to Fiction (Clarion Nonfiction)

Period 8

Flying Over Water

Rough Waters

Emily Windsnap and the Castle in the Mist

On My Honor is a young adult novel by Marion Dane Bauer that explores themes of responsibility, guilt, and coming of age. The story follows two boys, Joel and Tony, who decide to go on a bike ride to Starved Rock State Park despite Joel's father's instructions to stay at the local swimming hole. During the ride, Tony insists on swimming in the dangerous Vermillion River. Joel reluctantly agrees, but when Tony starts to struggle in the water, Joel is unable to save him. Tony drowns, and Joel is left to grapple with the consequences of their decision and the weight of his promise to his father. The novel deals with Joel's internal struggle as he must come to terms with the loss of his friend, the lie he tells to cover up the circumstances of Tony's death, and ultimately, his decision to face the truth and accept responsibility for his actions.

Discover Your Child's Next Read

Killing Miss Kitty and Other Sins

Marion Dane Bauer, 2007

Our Stories: A Fiction Workshop for Young Authors (Follow-Up To: What's Your Story?)

Marion Dane Bauer, 1996

Am I Blue?: Coming Out from the Silence

Lois Lowry, Marion Dane Bauer, Francesca Lia Block, 1995

A Writer's Story: From Life to Fiction (Clarion Nonfiction)

Marion Dane Bauer, 1995

Period 8

Chris Crutcher, 2013

Flying Over Water

Shannon Hitchcock, N.H. Senzai, 2020

Rough Waters

S.L. Rottman, 1997

Emily Windsnap and the Castle in the Mist

Liz Kessler, 2006