A Dangerous Promise

Orphan Train Adventures #5

by Joan Lowery Nixon

It's 1861, and although Mike Kelly is far younger than the legal age of 16, he and his best friend Todd secretly join up with the Second Kansas Infantry and become army drummer boys. Mike's dreams of glory end when he's wounded at the bloody Battle of Wilson's Creek and must begin a dangerous adventure behind enemy lines.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Middle Grade, Civil War, Young Adult, Childrens, Historical

161 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 1994

About the author

Author of more than one hundred books, Joan Lowery Nixon is the only writer to have won four Edgar Allan Poe Awards for Juvenile Mysteries (and been nominated several other times) from the Mystery Writers of America. Creating contemporary teenage characters who have both a personal problem and a mystery to solve, Nixon captured the attention of legions of teenage readers since the publication of her first YA novel more than twenty years ago. In addition to mystery/suspense novels, she wrote nonfiction and fiction for children and middle graders, as well as several short stories. Nixon was the first person to write novels for teens about the orphan trains of the nineteenth century. She followed those with historical novels about Ellis Island and, more recently for younger readers, Colonial Williamsburg. Joan Lowery Nixon died on June 28, 2003—a great loss for all of us.

Reviews

[Elsa K · Rating 4 out of 5]

I maybe liked this one the least so far? I got kinda annoyed at Mike's rash behaviors. It was more intense than the other books as it takes place during the civil war. But it was
still good.

[Elise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mike has joined the army as a drummer boy, and this follows his story. Mike has matured a lot, but he still has a ways to go.

Easy read, clean book.

[Sam Parry · Rating 3 out of 5]

In A Dangerous Promise the protagonist is a 12 year old boy who runs away to join the Union army. The plot of this book is very exiting with many close calls. Mike Kelly and his friend Todd are drummers in the Union army. Their first battle is at the Battle of Bull Run. Todd dies in Battle and Mike has to fullfill a promise to Todd. Mike has to return Todd's watch to his sister. An evil Confederate soilder steals the watch and Mike is forced to make a difficult adventure to reclaim the very sought after watch. This book takes place in the American South in 1863. This book gives you a great prespective on how life was like for the average soilder during the Civil War. I found part of this book very unrealistic. Mike Kelly escapes many close calls during his journey. This kind of luck is unheard of in real life. I would reccomend this book to anyone who wants to be educated about the civil war, and especially about the life of kids in the Civil War. It may bore you at parts and make you frustrated, but this book has many bright spots in it that most people will find very enjoyable.

[Gabriel · Rating 4 out of 5]

For years I forgot what this book was called. Thanks to the power of Google and Goodreads I have found it after at least nine years of searching. Just thinking of this book brings back other times, other times of sitting down on the floor of the children's section of the library, legs crossed and mind immersed in the pages that shaped me into the person I am today.

A Dangerous Promise was the first book to introduce me to the utter brutality and senselessness of war, and I highly recommended it.

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast paced, intricate look at life as a Civil War soldier. Mike Kelly, almost 13, runs away with his friend Todd in order to become a drummer boy. Throughout the book, Mike grows from a naive boy to a seasoned soldier as he tries to keep his promise to his fallen friend.
It is still a good read focusing on the horrors of war both on and off the battlefield.

[McKaela Magaldi]

The book, "A Dangerous Promise", is a realistic fiction written by Joan Lowery Nixson. This book is book 5 out of 7 in the Orpahne train adventures. The main character's name is Mike. After Mike was sent to a new family because his widow mother couldn't care for all of her children anymore. Mike's new family treated him horribly, and he was then sent to a new family. His new father was a General. Since the War started, Mike's general father was sent off to War in Virginia, and that encourage MIke to join the War. Mike wanted to be a drummer in the Union Army, and so did his friend Tod. They both joined running away from their family, even though they were not old enough, the Army was in deep need, so they were able to join. Mike thought War was fun. He was excited to go into war, and couldn't be more patient, but when they were sent to War, Mike lives the most horror he has ever seen. He loses almost all his friends, and he learns that War was not fun, it was not a game, it was a nightmare. Mike ends up being injured as well. What will happen to Mike, and What the dangerous promise in the book? Read to find out.
If you like any book from the series, for example, you enjoyed reading, "Caught in the Act" by Joan Lowery Nixson (book 2), you might like, "A Dangerous Promise".

[Ruthe Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the historical juvenile fiction series “The Orphan Train Adventures,” the six Kelly siblings are sent out west to be adopted by families who can give them a better life than their widowed mother could in New York City. The oldest brother, Mike, has a good heart, though also full of spunk that occasionally gets him in trouble. In this 5th book, he runs off and joins the Union Army as a drummer, even though he isn’t even 13 years old. The reader will learn that the Civil War was hard on all involved. Among Mike’s qualities is a loyal determination to keep his promises and do the right thing, even though it may mean extreme peril, especially during the Civil War. I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book gives you more of Mike's story with just tidbits about the others. Like the book before it in this series, this one was just okay for me as an adult (I don't remember my favorites as a kid!). I felt like it glossed over a lot of things about war while also dealing with a couple situations that felt a little heavy for the age range.

The "dangerous promise" felt a little contrived, and some endings tied up too neatly. But I'm a critical adult now -- I'm sure I thought none of these things as a child! Still a solid series.

[Melanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

My least favorite in the series so far. I didn't need a whole book about his not-very-believable adventures in the Civil War, though there was enough suspense in the latter half to keep me somewhat interested.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kids would have given this a 5. It kept them curious as to what would happen next. However, it was not one that they wanted read at bedtime. There were some graphic war scenes that I think disturbed my littlest for sure. But it was real to life!

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Those Kelly children are exceptionally brave, resourceful and hard working, not to mention delightful!

[Kyla Reynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember reading this series as a kid, and still remember the impact it had on me. A fun re-read and walk down memory lane.

[Jessica Hampton · Rating 4 out of 5]

pretty good

[Beth Kaminske · Rating 4 out of 5]

This may have been by favorite book in this series. I like the series and would recommend it to all 10- 13 year olds

[Candace · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Dangerous Promise by Joan Lowery Nixon, continues the story of Michael Kelly. Michael was a member of the Orphan Train sent west from New York City with his 3 sisters and 2 brothers by their mother.

Mike was first adopted by some terrible people, but eventually he left that place and was taken in by Captain Joshua Taylor and his wife, Louisa. Mike lives in Ft Leavenworth, KS and when the Union Army needs soldiers, Mike decides (along with his good friend, Todd), that he's going to enlist. Trouble is, Mike is only 12. So, he runs away - and lo and behold, the Union Army takes him on as a drummer boy. Mike is a part of the Battle of Wilson's Creek (I know, what are the odds that I read a book about the Civil War with the battle having happened less than 20 miles from my front door?!). He gets wounded in the fight and the rest of the story is about him making his journey back to his family in Kansas. The story is called A Dangerous Promise because of a promise Mike makes to his friend Todd, a promise Mike will go to great lengths to keep.

It was a good story. I've read several of the Orphan Train Series before, but not this one. It was interesting to see another side of Mike's life. I'd definitely recommend this series to children.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

War's never fun, and the boy in this book learns that the hard way, during the very harsh American civil war. At the beginning, he's thinking "adventure" and how he can help. He learns soon enough how wrong he is, and ages beyond his years to deal with it all. Many lessons in the book can also apply to today. The book left me wanting more at the end, which slightly surprised me, given the morose (war) material.

[Duane · Rating 3 out of 5]

The saga continues for Mike who is a past Orphan Train child. Mike wants to join the Union Army as a drummer and soon finds that all those dreams of fighting aren't anything like the reality of battle. Mike learns the glamour of battle isn't anything like the honesty of it. A great read for Civil War buffs.

[Xenia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book in the series seemed to go much faster but I felt like it missed out on some details that should have been explained more. So much so that I had to search to see if I had read them out of order. But like the rest the author is so good at explaining the difficulties of daily life in this time period..... Politics, religion, society, classes.

[Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series, but I especially liked this book because at the time I read it, I was on a Civil War kick. The story does have some heart wrenching scenes, but considering the setting, it would come across as rather fake if it didn't.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

you have to read it to find out

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was a little lacking in plot. I did like the civil War history in it though. Not my favorite one of the series.

[Jacque · Rating 4 out of 5]

We enjoyed this book and were so glad that momma Kelly was reunited with here children again-even if we were undecided on where we wanted the children to live! MD gave it 5 stars. CN 4, MK 3 stars.

[Kate Matson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an exciting book that urges you onward with every page. It has happy endings, but also has sad endings. Either way, I was fully content with what happened.

[Summer · Rating 3 out of 5]

good

[Lexi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one is pretty good. Mike has decided to join the army as a drummer and he ensures different hardships throughout his experience.
I am glad we got to hear more of Mike's story.