Author: Marion Dane Bauer

Publisher: Hodder and Stoughton Children's Books 1987

Pages: 93

Description:

On my honor," Joel says to his father when he promises not to go anywhere except the park.

So, when his best friend Tony drowns while they are both swimming in a treacherous river that they had promised never to go near, Joel is devastated and terrified at having to tell both sets of parents the terrible consequences of their disobedience.

A devastating but beautiful meditation on guilt and redemption, this simply told story will linger in readers' minds long after they have turned the final heart-breaking page.