Customer Reviews

On My Honor

5 star:		(81)
4 star:		(41)
3 star:		(19)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(15)

 

 

This book is going to be read to my son's 5th grade class, so I thought I'd read it before I gave the ok for my son to sit in. It is quite an emotional read, but I think, for ages around 9 or 10 and up (pre-adolescent), it's absolutely appropriate! It deals with peer pressure, lying, and guilt among other things, and hopefully will make these indestructible-thinking kids realize that "it CAN happen to me" and not give in to the pressures that go along with these ages, especially among boys. You don't have to do something just because "I DARE YOU!".

Except for the use of the word he**, there was no inappropriate language and, no, the re was *NOT* a detailed account of the boy's drowning. I'm not quite sure where that came from. The "beat his friend to a bloody pulp if he was hiding somewhere", put into context, is a boy feeling nervous/scared/angry when he can't find his friend, suspects the worst and would be furious if he's (the friend) actually just hiding and trying to pull a prank. Given the fact these boys are 12, the words used are quite mild.

I'm sure this subject matter is uncomfortable for some kids (and, obviously adults as well). Unfortunately, peer pressure is a FACT OF LIFE that has to be dealt with. Overall, I'd recommend this book. Read it first before you read it (or allow your child to read it) and then decide.

On My Honor , by Marion Dane Bauer, is one of the best stories I have ever read! Even though it was sad, it was still perfect. It's a good story for people who like exciting stories. The characters in this story are Joel and Tony. They are living in a small town in Illinois. The story all starts when Joel's father allows Joel and Tony to go cycling, but not too far. Joel and Tony disobey Joel's father and go to the river. They were told never to go near the river, but they do. They start swimming to a sandbar. When Joel gets to the sandbar he realizes Tony has vanished. TONY WAS DEAD! How can Joel tell his parents what has happened? How can he tell everyone the terrible truth? It was a great story. It didn't have too many difficult vocabulary words. I am now in 6th grade and I found this book very easy to read. Over the past few months I have been reading GOOSBUMPS, but this story is different. It taught a valuable lesson: Never do something you were told not to. Your parents always tell you things to help you avoid trouble and danger.

Bauer, Marion Dane. (1986). On My Honor. Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing New York. This was what I would call a tremendous quick read because you could just go right with Joel, who is twelve and on a bicycle trip with his reckless best friend, Tony. You are just hooked as soon as the plot begins to thicken, when Tony stops at the river and suggests a swim and the boys argue you can just so relate, and then on a dare both boys try to swim to an island in the middle. Without disclosing too much of the actual details, this book is just magnetic, because the plot heightens to the point of tears. It is an emotionally strong story simply told all in one day's time. The realistic portrayal of a grieving boy's conscience evolves you to be sympathetic for the father and son. This plot escalates to anger, fear, and personal loss and would be a great read for any young person with emotion and heart.

I read this book in fifth or sixth grade and I can honestly say it's the most touching thing I have ever read. I sobbed when it was finished and every time I reread it I can't get to the end without crying at least a little.

Simply put, it deals with guilt and death in adolescence. This is something I will no doubt mention in my college entrance essays and I highly recommend it. It is short, an easy and good read, and something you will remember for the rest of your life.

Before I start this review let me say that I am the mother of two (11 and 9), and a grade school teacher.

This book covers a subject that is every parent's nightmare! (Your child fights for their life, and you are not able to help them.) All kids believe that they are immortal, and because of this, they are fearless. But we, parent's, know better. We try to protect them, and teach them right from wrong. We pray that they will make the right choices in life, but know that sometimes they won't.

It is this fearlessness, and the possibility that things just may go terribly wrong, that is discussed in this book. Not in a preachy parent style, but rather from the viewpoint of a scared and helpless child. As I read this (and by the way, I read it in one seating-not able to put it down--not able to catch my breath),I realized that this is a book that my children must read. Every child should read it!! But not without adult guidance. The book and it's subject matter call for discussion. Your child may need comforting after this book, but it also will wake them up to the fact that there are dangers out there, and they must be careful.

Decisions made in the blink of an eye can change an entire lifetime, or in this case, end a life.

PLEASE, read this one and then discuss it!!!!!

This is a very good book about the consequences of peer pressure, and reckless behavior. Unlike what another reviewer has said, there is no 'detailed description' of the boy's drowning. And, any child old enough to read this book is old enough to have heard or read the word, 'hell'. That being said, this is a book for middle schoolers and up. A child has to have some experience with peer pressure, and the desire to prove oneself to one's friends, to appreciate this story.

This short novel details a very traumatic day in the life of our main character, Joel. Joel has just finished the sixth grade and is spending his summer with his best friend and across the street neighbor, Tony. All of the summaries and reviews tell the main conflict which is the death of his good friend. The reader wonders when it will happen as they get to know each boy better as the story begins. With a character such as Tony, there are many instances where you are sure the awful act will occur. Joel's dealing with Tony's death is very detailed throughout the remainder of the story. While he doesn't respond in exactly the way adults would have wanted him to, his response if very believable and applicable to his age. Tony's death has a huge impact on Joel and feelings of responsibility are overwhelming yet not altogether realized until near the end of the story. The way Joel continues to smell the scent of the river on himself is evidence to the deeply rooted guilt he is feeling. Joel's parents are excellent role models that don't waltz in with a simple solution or easy answers but simply reassure him hat this will be a tough thing for those involved but that they'll be there for Joel. The father even takes some blame since he is the one that allowed the boys to take their day trip. This is a wonderful book to read to a class or to recommend to any child.

On My Honor was a story about two friends, Joel and Tony. Joel must come out of the dark and tell the truth about the incident at the river. It is something he will live with for the rest of his life. I enjoyed this book because the author caught my attention right away. I was intrigued with the conflict between the two main characters. There were so many conflicts running through this story that I was at the edge of my seat. I also felt very close to the characters. The author developed the characters so well that I felt like I knew Tony and Joel. They could have been my friends. The author wrote in a style in which I felt the same emotions as the characters. Wow! I remembered a time when I lied to my parents when I was a young child. I remember being distraught over the lie until I finally told the truth. I understood how Joel agonized over telling the truth. This was a great book which teaches a strong lesson. It is important not to deviate from one's "honor".

On My Honor

Compared to other books On my Honor is one of the best. On my Honor is a fabulous book written by Marion Dane Bauer. Toney and Joel are relatable the main characters because of how realistic and interesting they are. Every time they went to the Vermillion River which is where the book was mostly at, it made me have a tingle all the way from my long hair on my head to my little toes.

It all started when Tony and Joel were begging with plead to their parents if they could got to the park. Joel was first he thought a moment of what his dad would say and decided to ask. "Dad!! Dad!!" He called, his father replied with a exasperate sigh with a yes after it. They asked if they could go to the park and his dad talked a while to Joel and finally he said he could go. Next it was Tony. He father said yes too!

They were on there way up to the park and they got really hot so the decided to go for a swim. At the time they were mad at each other and Joel said "I bet I can bet you out to that sandbar!" And so they raced! They started off and they were nose to nose. Joel gained great speed and got to the sandbar first. He yelled it out so Tony could hear, and when he turned to see where he was, and he about fell over because Tony had vanished! He found a guy driving long and Joel and the boy had looked a while and gave up!

Well if you want to head more of the spine chilling mind tingling book then you will have to read this awesome book!!!

By Bailey

Did you ever tell your best friend to do something and it turned out to be something terrible. Well if you don't want to be the only one then read the book ON MY HONOR and you will not be the only one I promise you. In the book ON MY HONOR Joel tells his friend to do something and when Joel's friend Tom does it something really, really bad happens to Tom its all Joel's fault because Joel told Tom to do it and Joel knew it was dangerous. So if that happen to you, I think ON MY HONOR will be a good book for you it was for me.