Throwback Thursday: On My Honor by Marion Dane Bauer

On My Honor, Marion Dane Bauer's Newbery Honor book, was published in 1986. With the lexile measure of 750L, this little book packs a punch. The ninety page story details one day in the life of Joel and Tony.

Joel gets permission from his dad to go on a bike ride with his friend Tony to a State Park, but Joel didn't want to go because Tony wants to climb some cliffs. Joel wanted his dad to tell him no, that they were too young, but when his dad says, "Yes," Joel is too embarrassed to back down and stay home. On the way there, they stop at the river and an impetuous Tony jumps in daring Joel to swim in the dirty water. Joel gets in the water and ends up daring Tony to swim to the sandbar in the middle, but when Joel reaches the sandbar, Tony, who can barely swim, is nowhere to be found.

Joel can't face what has happened. This story is intense, will make you cry, and could open up a great dialogue with your students and children about choices, shock, and blame.

Read to a child today even if that child is you. 

NICU Book Project

If you'd like to contribute to our book drive for NICU babies, here is how you can help.

1. You can order books for your own children from an online Usborne book party and the proceeds will go to purchase books for the NICU. I've received over $350.00 in free books for the NICU from people buying books for their own families through my web link. Usborne is really good to their hostesses, and they have great board books for babies. Click on the link: Usborne book sale to benefit NICU The books you order will be shipped directly to your home. You can then give them to your children, grandchildren, nieces, or nephews. The free books from the hostess benefits go to the NICU.

2. We have set up a baby registry at Amazon.com with many books listed for the NICU babies. Some of these books only cost 2.50. Many of these are classics that all children should have. Click on this link if you'd like to help provide books for the NICU: Catherine Crosby Building Lifelong Readers Book Registry. If you order books for us, they will be shipped directly to me, and I will package and send them to the NICU. English and Spanish books are both needed as some of our babies' first language is Spanish. It is important for these little ones to be proficient in their first language.