On My Honor
by Marion Dane Bauer
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.
Starved
Rock State Park
Illinois
Department of Natural Resources: Starved Rock State Park
AW
American Whitewater
Find out more about the
author... 
Marion
Dane Bauer: Writer and Teacher
Many authors enjoy hearing
from their readers. Please see the following emails:
Dear Ms. Bauer,
Hello! My fifth grade class is
enjoying On My Honor very much. They are reading and discussing
the book in literature circle groups. During our pre-reading
activities we made predictions regarding the cover of the book. The
students predicted that Joel is the boy on the front cover.
During one of our discussions a
perceptive group noticed something interesting regarding the cover of the
book. While students were looking to verify their predictions, the
group noticed two lines in the story which contradicted their
predictions. They were unsure after reading the two lines if the boy
on the cover was Joel or Tony.
Page 16: "He (Tony) was
swinging his (Tony's) pale blue shirt over his head like a lasso."
Page 30: "Doggone you,
Tony, if you mess with my (Joel) clothes ....." But he (Joel)
could see his (Joel's own) clothes, the pile of them, lying where he (Joel)
had left them, his (Joel's) red T-Shirt marking the spot.
We discussed this subject at length.
The students noted the fact that there are shoes in the lower left-hand
corner of the page (Tony's). They also thought that Joel had not been
in the water because his hair is combed and his clothes look dry.
It would mean so much to the students
to hear back from you! They love the book and are anxious to read more
of your stories.
All the Best,
Mr. Dauchert
Mr. Dauchert
What your perceptive students
have noticed is the work of a not-too-perceptive illustrator, or at least
an illustrator who didn't read as carefully as he should have. Yes,
that is supposed to be Joel on the cover. Yes, the shirts are the
wrong color.
Fondly,
Marion Dane Bauer
Created by Barbara
Swetits
Last updated 04/03/2008
