The Secret of the Painted House

Celebrating North Carolina: 50 States to Celebrate (Green Light Readers Level 3)

The Stuff of Stars

Flying Over Water

Emily Windsnap and the Land of the Midnight Sun

Turtle's Penguin Day

The Neptune Project

A Super Scary Narwhalloween

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

The Secret of the Painted House

Marion Dane Bauer, Leonid Gore, 2007

Celebrating North Carolina: 50 States to Celebrate (Green Light Readers Level 3)

Marion Dane Bauer, C.B. Canga, 2014

The Stuff of Stars

Marion Dane Bauer, Ekua Holmes, 2018

Flying Over Water

Shannon Hitchcock, N.H. Senzai, 2020

Emily Windsnap and the Land of the Midnight Sun

Liz Kessler, Natacha Ledwidge, 2012

Turtle's Penguin Day

Valeri Gorbachev, 2008

The Neptune Project

Polly Holyoke, 2013

A Super Scary Narwhalloween

Ben Clanton, 2023