On My Honor

On My Honor

• Genre: Fiction; middle grade realistic; coming of age
• Originally Published: 1986
• Reading Level/Interest: Lexile 750L; grades 5-8
• Structure/Length: 12 chapters; approximately 96 pages; approximately 2 hours, 2 minutes on audio
• Protagonist/Central Conflict: Joel and Tony are two young friends who venture into the dangerous Starved Rock State Park without their parents’ permission. Tragedy strikes during their adventure, leading to a series of events that forces Joel to grapple with guilt, loss, and the meaning of honor. This coming-of-age story explores friendship, responsibility, and the consequences of one’s actions.
• Potential Sensitivity Issues: Death by drowning; loss; mentions physical punishment by parents

Marion Dane Bauer, Author

• Bio: Born 1938; respected American author of children’s and young adult literature; has written numerous books that are known for emotional depth and ability to resonate with young readers
• Other Works: Shelter From the Wind (1976); Touch the Moon (1987); A Taste of Smoke (1993); A Question of Trust (1994); An Early Winter (1999); Sunshine (2021)
• Awards: Newbery Honor (1987)

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Guide:

• The Complexity of Friendship
• Honor and Deception
• Questions on Life and Death

STUDY OBJECTIVES: In accomplishing the components of this Teaching Guide, students will:

• Develop an understanding of the literary and thematic contexts regarding the role of friendship and honesty in Bauer’s novels, which impacts Joel’s main dilemma in the narrative.
• Analyze paired texts and other brief resources to make connections via the text’s themes of The Complexity of Friendship, Honor and Deception, and Questions on Life and Death.
• Draft and present a creative alternate ending to the novel that demonstrates an understanding of the characterization, setting, plot, and central themes, based on text details.
• Analyze and evaluate plot and character details to draw conclusions in structured essay responses regarding the ways in which nature is depicted, the role of lying, the ambiguity of the story’s ending, and other topics.