The Promise [Paperback]

Jackie French Koller (Author), Jacqueline Rogers (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up

It’s Jamie and Matt’s first Christmas since Ma’s death, and Matt is doing his best to keep her traditions. He chides Pa into decorating the tree and reminds him of Ma’s story of the animals’ Christmas miracle — their power to speak at midnight. Then Matt and his beloved Labrador retriever, Sara, set out to hang suet balls for the birds, just as Ma would have done.

Suddenly a hungry bear surprises them, mauling Sara. On top of that, snow has started falling hard and Matt is lost in the woods. But it is Christmas Eve near midnight — just the right time for a miracle. The Promise is a riveting story about the power to heal and about having faith — even when it leads where you don’t want to follow.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Since Ma died, Matt and his little brother and their Pa have tried to make the best of things, but Christmastime is especially difficult. Suddenly things look bleak indeed: when Matt puts out a holiday treat for the birds, a bear chases him deep into the woods and mauls Sara, his Labrador retriever. Will they lose her now too? For the most part this novel shines with simplicity and grace, but the account of the Christmas Eve miracle that saves the day (the dog telling Matt how to get help and promising not to die in the meantime) may be hard for some readers to swallow. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 8-12. (Oct.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-5-It's Christmas Eve, the first since Ma died, and Matt, his little brother, Jamie, and their father are trying to keep their spirits up; they've decorated their cabin and given special treats to the farm animals. As Matt goes out with his dog, Sara, to leave suet balls in the trees for the birds, a bear looms up and chases them into the woods, where it wounds brave Sara and drives Matt up into a tree. The boy finally realizes that it's the suet balls that the animal is after and throws them as far away as possible. Now Matt is lost, Sara is near death, and a snowstorm has hit; in the Christmas miracle, Sara speaks to the boy briefly at midnight, directing him home. The time period and setting are unspecified but this story appears to take place sometime in the late 1800s or early 1900s. Matt narrates the tale in an easygoing, slightly folksy style that will appeal to kids. His adventure with the bear is scary and thrilling, and the references to Matt's deceased mother are moving. The short length, fast pace, and simple language make this a fine bridge for new chapter-book readers, at Christmas or anytime.-E.M.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: Yearling (October 9, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440416582
• ISBN-13: 978-0440416586
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,863,618 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!, March 17, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Promise (Library Binding)

I read The Promise as a chapter book to my children (ages 3 to 7 yrs) at bedtime, around Christmas this year. I have never seen my children more anxious to get to bed than that week or two that it took to finsih the story. I was as interested as they were to find out how Sara, Jamie and Matt would make out on this Enchanted Christmas Eve. Great Story!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A GREAT KIDS BOOK!, November 30, 2005

By 

ANNABELLESTAR "My Favorite Books!" (IDAHO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Promise (Paperback)

I read THE PROMISE and loved it. It's a great Christmas story for kids. I know they will love it too!

4.0 out of 5 stars A sad and inspiring story about the bond between humans and their pets, May 25, 2007

By 

Charles Ashbacher (Marion, Iowa United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Promise (Paperback)

This story is set in what we would call pioneer days. The family lives in a log cabin, farms using horses and travels using wagons. The mother has recently died and it is Christmas Eve. The surviving family members try to be cheerful and the children do all the things that their mother would have wanted. While giving the animals their Christmas presents, one of the children is chased by a bear. Their dog Sara defends the child and is badly hurt by the bear. However, in a series of "miracles" the child manages to find their way back for help and Sara recovers.
This is a book that children will find both sad and inspiring. It really is less about miracles than about the bond between humans and their beloved pets. I recommend it for children in the age range third grade.