Promise

by Judy Young

Eleven-year-old Kaden has managed to stay under the radar for most of his life. With the exception of Kubla, a pet crow, Kaden doesn't have any friends his own age and he's okay with that. After all, friends can ask inconvenient questions. Questions like Why do you live with your grandmother and where is your father? Questions Kaden doesn't want to answer. Apart from school and a few trips to town, Kaden and Gram keep to themselves, living a simple life at their cabins outside the small community of Promise. But now Kaden's life is getting a lot more complicated. He's starting middle school, which brings its own set of problems for a boy who doesn't fit in. And then he learns that his father, a man he has never known, is getting out of prison and moving to Promise. After years of being the outsider at school, Kaden is given a chance to come out of his shell when Yo-Yo, a new boy, moves to the area and offers friendship. But can Kaden trust him? Will Yo-Yo be a real friend after he learns about Kaden's father? The true meaning of friendship, love, responsibility, and loyalty is explored in this novel for middle-grade readers.

351 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2015

About the author

Judy Young is the author of 30 children's fiction, nonfiction and poetry books. Her books range for all ages of childrens, from board books, picture books as well as middle grade novels. Her books include the Digger and Daisy early reader series and The Wild World of Buck Bray middle grade novel series.
Judy's books have received numerous awards and accolades, including the Mom's Choice Gold Award for "R is for Rhyme, A Poetry Alphabet" and LaVar Burton's reading of "A Pet for Miss Wright" for Reading Rainbow Video.
When not writing, Judy is usually outdoors—hiking, camping, fishing, and snowshoeing in the mountains of Idaho where she resides with her husband and three dogs.
Judy offers exciting virtual author visits for elementary and middle schools. For more info, visit her website.

Reviews

[Jane Bennington · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd go 3.25 maybe 3.5. A decent YA story, suitable for middle schoolers. Some parents might object for the simple fact that a child is put in a position to correctly doubt and eventually disbelieve a parent. The black bird on the cover is actually a cool addition to the story. Not a complete waist of time, but not one that will go on my list to highly recommend to others. Written by a friend of a friend so I was invested in finishing it.

[Kaiya]

I'm not sure what to say here. I was prepared to call this book sweet and a bit slow moving, but that ending...

[Rhonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Promise

A man is only as good as his word and Kaden is growing up to learn that the hard way. This is a good book for children and adults alike. I read this with my fourth grader. We all need reminders that life is not always how it seems from the outside and to treat everyone with kindness. It’s great to see community step in and help raise this boy with his Gram.

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this after borrowing it from the library and ended up finding a copy to buy from a bookstore. It was an unexpected treasure. The characters were excellently developed and I even loved the crow. Highly recommend it.

[Catmom 4 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure how to rate this one. It's cute in a way but also has a good lesson about people. The ending is a bit sad and also makes you wonder if there will be a sequel.
I am an adult and believe this to be more aimed at Jr.High/High School level.

[Penny Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book

I really enjoyed this book. I would buy it as I borrowed it from my library. A must read forme.

[Kchesnik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good character-driven book for ages 9-15. Kaden's father who got out of jail who doesn't keep his promises. Yo-Yo is his friend and helps him to stand up for himself.

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read on “epic”
Enjoying this US based online library. A great store about integrity and trust. Hope a few of my students read it too

[Mace Reads · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this book was okay at times but really, it was pretty boring and had not a lot of changes. I feel like kids in 4th or 5th grade may like this read, but it wasn't for me.

[Diossela Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eleven-year-old Kaden, a sixth grader in the small town of Promise, knows very little about his father. He lives in a cabin with his strict grandmother who rules the roost with an iron fist but much love. Kaden's life has been rather lonely since one of the school bullies, Luke, constantly belittles him and reminds everyone that Kaden's father is in prison for stealing. Kaden has always taken refuge in spending time in a high tower that overlooks the area. There, he and Kubla, a crow that he befriended, enjoy hanging out. When Yo-Yo Strokowski, joins the class, he and Kaden become friends, and Yo-Yo shows him some ways to thwart Luke's bullying. Meanwhile, Kaden is conflicted about his feelings toward his father who has been paroled. At first reluctant to trust the man, eventually he warms to him only to realize that he has a temper and to discover that his father may not have changed his ways at all. As youngsters will do, he even tries to teach his dad how to get Kubla to come loser, but the crow learns not to come close after the man gets angry. The author does a great job of describing Kaden's confusion after he realizes how his father is paying for everything at the amusement park. My heart broke for Kaden when he learns the truth about his father and when he loses what matters most to him. But the author makes it clear that there are still plenty of folks who care about Kaden, and yes, he has plenty of promise to turn out okay. As much as we might want to think that others can change, that isn't always the case. I'm assuming that the grandmother's dislike for technology or modern ways relates in some way to her son's slip from the straight and narrow path, but I'm not entirely sure. It might have been good to explore that aspect of the book a little bit more.

[Sally Kruger]

Kaden doesn't remember much about his dad. When the man went to prison years ago, Kaden ended up living with Gram. Although a bit different, life with Gram has been good. Now Kaden is starting sixth grade and hoping to find a new friend, but the return of his father might change everything.

Living out in the woods in a series of five small cabins gives Kaden a lot of freedom. Gram keeps tabs on him and so does their neighbor Emmett, but Kaden spends most of his time hanging out at the top of an old fire tower with his pet crow Kubla.

The new music teacher's son, Yo-Yo, turns out to be just the crazy friend Kaden needs to convince him that not all kids are annoying bullies. Gram even thinks Yo-Yo is ok, and she's pretty hard to please.

When Kaden's dad shows up at the cabins, he brings with him secrets that threaten to tear apart the life Kaden has always known. He wants to trust the man and hopes that he has been rehabilitated, but the suspicious activity and hostile attitude that surround the ex-con make Kaden extremely uncomfortable.

PROMISE by author Judy Young is at times heartwarming and also heart-wrenching. Kaden learns that families are not easy and dealing with disappointments requires a strong individual. Thank you to Sleeping Bear Press for providing a copy of this book for review.

[elissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good for a first novel. Love the 4 main characters, as well as the crow on the cover (great name for the crow--Kubla). The "bad guys" are kind of caricatured, but Young makes up for it with her nuanced and lovable "good guys". I don't love the ending, and consider it unnecessary, but I can live with it. Good for late elementary/early middle schoolers who like "problem"-type novels. Main kid characters are 6th graders, but the main character's dad has been in jail, and life hasn't been easy for Kaden, although his Gram has raised him well.

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet Kaden doesn't have much in his life, except for his best friend, a crow. He desperately wants a relationship with his father, even though his Gram (who has been raising him) warns him that this may not be the best idea.

When his father era out of prison, Kaden had to learn some life lessons on his own about forgiveness, a person's ability to change, and trust.

A good story, a bit slow moving at times, but solid and unique.

[David Hilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recommended to me by a book-devouring 6th grader student (so rare!), Promise is the story of Caden, a boy who lives way out of town with his protective grandmother. He hangs out in a fire tower with his best friend, a crow named Kubla. Caden's father has been in prison for years, but he's out now and the two might get to know each other. Believable, saccharin-free, Young's book moves quickly. Recommended.

[Molly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although a new writer, the coming of age story that is portrayed seems less than realistic. That it all happens in less than a month is somewhat contrived. Having said that, her portrayal of the relationship between the 11 y/o and the crow is novel and enjoyable.

[Maria Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartwarming story about a boy faced with a tough choice when his father returns from prison on parole.