I Can Make This Promise

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Description

In her debut middle grade novelinspired by her familys historyChristine Day tells the story of a girl who uncovers her familys secretsand finds her own Native American identity.

All her life, Edie has known that her mom was adopted by a white couple. So, no matter how curious she might be about her Native American heritage, Edie is sure her family doesnt have any answers.

Until the day when she and her friends discover a box hidden in the attica box full of letters signed Love, Edith, and photos of a woman who looks just like her.

Suddenly, Edie has a flurry of new questions about this woman who shares her name. Could she belong to the Native family that Edie never knew about But if her mom and dad have kept this secret from her all her life, how can she trust them to tell her the truth now

Reviews

The novel is enlightening and a must-read for anyone interested in issues surrounding identity and adoption. Debut author Day (Upper Skagit) handles family separation in Native America with insight and grace. Kirkus Reviews(starred review) Beyond the mystery, important themes resonate throughout, including cultural identity and what makes a friendship worth keeping. Days affecting novel also considers historical truths about how Native Americanshave been treated throughout U.S. history, particularly underlining family separations. Publishers Weekly (starred review) I Can Make This Promise manages to be both deeply sad and brightly hopeful, and Edie Green will steal readers hearts with her empathy and curious spiritshe certainly stole mine. Hayley Chewins, author ofThe Turnaway Girls Days novel brings an accessible, much-needed perspective about the very real consequences of Indigenous children being taken from their families and Native Nations. The absence of ones tribal community, loss of culture and lack of connection to relatives have ripple effects for generations. Traci Sorell (Cherokee Nation), award-winning author of We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga A truly enticing, beautifully written story that delivers a historical reveal at just the right time. Betsy Bird, A Fuse #8 Production (SLJ blog) “A glorious novel about friendship, emerging identity, family secrets, and lost culture, Days debut, while targeted at 8 to 12-year-olds at grade levels 3 to 7, will resonate with readers of all ages. BookTrib

Author Bio

Christine Day (Upper Skagit) grew up in Seattle, nestled between the sea, the mountains, and the pages of her favorite books. Her debut novel, I Can Make This Promise, was a best book of the year from Kirkus, School Library Journal, NPR, and the Chicago Public Library, as well as a Charlotte Huck Award Honor Book. She holds a Master's degree from the University of Washington, where she created a thesis on Coast Salish weaving traditions. Christine lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband.