50 pages • 1 hour read
Marion Dane BauerOn My Honor
Fiction | Novella | Middle Grade | Published in 1986A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In Marion Dane Bauer's novel On My Honor, Joel Bates is an obedient boy who embarks on a bike ride with his reckless friend Tony Zabrinsky to Starved Rock State Park. Disobeying his father's warnings, they divert to the dangerous Vermillion River. Tony proposes a swim, leading to a tragic accident that forces Joel to confront the heavy burden of guilt and the true meaning of honor. Topics involving grief and death are present in this book.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
On My Honor by Marion Dane Bauer receives praise for its gripping narrative and emotional depth, effectively engaging younger readers. However, some critics note the story's somber themes may be too intense for its target audience. The book's realistic portrayal of friendship and moral dilemmas is commendable, despite mixed opinions on its age-appropriateness.
Who Should Read On My Honor?
A reader who would enjoy On My Honor by Marion Dane Bauer is a middle-grade reader aged 9-12 who appreciates emotionally rich narratives about friendship and responsibility. Fans of Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson or Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo will find this book compelling.
RecommendedReading Age
8-12yearsLexile Level
750L