Swear to Howdy

by Wendelin Van Draanen

A funny friendship turns serious in this haunting book about secrets, lies, and what it means to be a true friend.
 
Joey Banks is a walking adventure. He’s funny, daring, mischievous—and frequently in trouble. Or he would be if anyone found out about half the stuff he’s done. Luckily, Rusty Cooper knows how to keep a secret. Joey is the best friend Rusty’s ever had, and he’s not going to mess with that. But then comes a secret that is at once too terrible to tell and too terrible to keep. A secret so big it threatens to eat them alive. What would a true friend do now?
 
Wendelin Van Draanen has written a richly layered book that offers a thought-provoking look at the boundaries of friendship and what it really means to be true.
 
“Triumph and tragedy mix in a compelling country tale of boys being boys.” — Kirkus Reviews
 
“A poignant, thought-provoking novel that will strike a chord with young readers hooked by the boyish antics of the early chapters, later to be emotionally drawn to the honest portrayal of characters struggling with the consequences that follow every action.” — Midwest Book Review

Genres: Young Adult, Realistic Fiction, Middle Grade, Fiction, Friendship, Humor, Childrens

144 pages, Paperback

First published October 14, 2003

About the author

Wendelin Van Draanen has written more than thirty novels for young readers and teens. She is the author of the 18-book Edgar-winning Sammy Keyes series, and wrote Flipped which was named a Top 100 Children’s Novel for the 21st Century by SLJ, and became a Warner Brothers feature film with Rob Reiner directing. Her novel The Running Dream was awarded ALA’s Schneider Family Award for its portrayal of the disability experience.

Van Draanen's latest book, Hope in the Mail, is part memoir, part writing guided, designed to encourage aspiring writers to pursue their dream.

Van Draanen is also the author of two short chapter-book series. The Gecko & Sticky books, are fun read-alouds, perfect for reluctant readers, and the Shredderman books—featuring a boy who deals with a bully—received the Christopher Award for “affirming the highest values of the human spirit” and became a Nickelodeon made-for-TV movie.

Van Draanen was a classroom teacher for fifteen years. She and her husband reside in California and have two sons.

Reviews

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joey Banks has something that needs to be kept secret; a secret that will change his family forever if anyone finds out. It was just a prank, but that prank had serious consequences. Best friend Rusty Cooper "swears to howdy" that he will keep the secret about what they did. But should you keep your promise to your best friend that you wouldn't tell anyone what happened, even though it's not something that should be kept secret and really needs to be known? What if telling the secret causes you to lose your friend because he says you broke the promise you made and betrayed him? Do you do it anyway because it's the right thing to do, and hope that someday he will understand? Hope that someday he will forgive you? I wish I'd still had my own classroom when I read this story because this is the kind of book I really wanted to read aloud to students and have a truthful conversation about. When is okay to break a promise? If your gut tells you it's wrong to keep a secret, is telling someone the secret the right thing to do, even if your friend tells you it's not?

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

From time to time my brother, a seventh-grade language arts teacher, passes books on to me. His choices are usually good, but SWEAR TO HOWDY is a little masterpiece. Van Draanen spins a charming story about two young boys, Joey and Rusty, and their small-town adventures chasing huge frogs, shooting cans, and tormenting their older sisters are pure TOM SAWYER. You can almost taste the long summer days. But about two thirds of the way through this breezy tale the book takes an incredible 90-degree turn--and takes on all the seriousness HUCKLEBERRY FINN while (no spoilers) presenting an ethical conundrum that this reader never saw coming. The climax of SWEAR TO HOWDY is unforgettable, and above and beyond everything else it makes a case for what true friendship really is. I'm hoping my brother keeps sending the good stuff my way. (And I also hope he's getting his students to read HUCKLEBERRY FINN!)

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

My class really enjoyed this story for read-aloud. Their attention was captured from the first chapter! It really tied into our "Celebrate life" week at school. While the ending is very sad and gets "real" fast, it is still a funny, entertaining, and worthy read for any class.

[Sandy Stiles · Rating 5 out of 5]

A rollicking read that packed a surprising wallop. I will be recommending this one for sure to teachers and students!

[Alejandro Saavedra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Swear to Howdy by,Wendilin Van Draanen is a very well told novel about to friends that let practical jokes just go a little too far. Every time they do something that nobody is supposed to know about they, “Swear to Howdy” to not tell a soul and when a prank goes just a little too far they end up with something lingering on their conscience. I think that Wendilin Van Draanen does a GREAT job at making the reader want to read more. I personally liked the fact that Russell, In search of a friend, he begins spending time with the neighbor boy his age, Joey. They become best friends and are always in search of the next mischievous activity. Joey his neighbor is somewhat of a bad influence on Russell. There is a scene when Joey they get themselves stuck a sticky situation and they make a pact to never tell anyone and then Joey has to decide whether to break the pact and lose his best friend, or let his best friend harm himself. It shows the meaning of true friendship and loyalty to ones friends. The book is put to show how grateful we should be to have the lives we have and why. I can somewhat relate to this book because I to have gotten in trouble for pulling “pranks” on some people. I think that others can also relate to this as well, because there’s always that friend that gets you into some kind of trouble. Overall I give Swear to Howdy by Wendiulin Van Draanen 5 stars.

[smalls · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joey Banks is a walking adventure. He’s funny, daring, mischievous—and frequently in trouble. Or he would be if anyone found out about half the stuff he’s done. But Rusty Cooper knows how to keep a secret. And Joey’s the best friend he’s ever had. But then comes a secret that is at once too terrible to tell and too terrible to keep. A secret so big it threatens to eat them alive. What would a true friend do now?

This was a good book. Lots of laughs, but definately some serious stuff and concequences.

[Janjohn · Rating 5 out of 5]

So far I've read sixty-four novels this 2011, and, for the first time this year, tears spilled from my eyes after reading. Wendelin Van Draanen's Swear to Howdy did make me cry!



I SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER LIKE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

XD

[Austin Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting book from the start to the very end. You start to see the boys develop almost a brotherhood of how they trust each other more and more throughout the book; and Russel shows great character whenever he doesn't tell the stunts that he and Rusty have pulled off to the siblings or parents of either boy. This is a great story that redefines what a true friend is. What is a true friend to you?

[Claydel Jacquilane Patron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Swear to Howdy is an absolute gem not just for children, but for everyone. As this is the second book of Wendelin Van Draanen's that I have read, once again she shows that the simple little things matter. A book for friends and for the family too. Awesome for light reading.

[Literary Strawberry · Rating 4 out of 5]

First read: June, 2014

Second read: August, 2015

[Storie · Rating 4 out of 5]

*****Spoiler Alert*****
The book ,”Swear to Howdy” has many events taken place. Both good and bad. The author Wendelin Van Draanen is a very talented author. The story really was about the power of friendship and how your friends will always be there for you. Wendelin shows the readers how the friendship between Joey and Russell is very important to the story. If anything happens they are there for each other even if they know it’s wrong. Wendelin sends a message to her readers by showing that there is going to always be a friend. Also, for you to appreciate the people important to you.
The story is filled with excitement and the curiosity never stops. In the beginning Russell Cooper moves to the new neighborhood and automatically becomes friends with Joey Banks. Everyday they would go to their spot at the pond. When one day Joey was bitten by a fish on his privates. They punched knuckles, mixed blood, and swore to howdy they wouldn't tell a soul. Later on in the story we find out Joey’s father is very tough on Joey. In the fall Joey got a gun for his birthday. There were squirrels that his father wanted to get rid of so his father told him to shoot them. Well when they saw something in the bushes they shot it and it turns out to be the family cat. There always has to be situations in a story and sadly this problem wasn't something that could be avoided. When the two boys decided to do a prank on Joey’s sister for Halloween it goes terribly wrong. The boys caused her to wreck and she died. This changed the whole story.
This is one of my favorites books so far! Every part of the story made me won’t to read more. I loved the part when the boys put bugs in all the peoples drinks at the baseball park. In the story the two boys would always go to their spot at the pond. I really enjoyed reading those parts of the story because everyone was so happy. I also really related to those parts of the story. In the summer me and my friends go to the river and have a great time. The boys in the story also do just that. Of course towards the end Joey’s sister passed away but that just showed how your friends will always be there for you. I really enjoyed reading the book.
The story, “ swear to howdy” was such a fun story to read. I really enjoyed learning about what goes on in the lives of the Cooper and Banks family. I really didn’t dislike anything in the story. I would give the book a ⅘. This is a great book for coming of age kids. I highly suggest reading the book. Can’t wait to read it again!!!
https://blogs.nasa.gov/earthexpeditio...

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honest truth time: I had never heard of this book before this morning. I had a teacher come in to ask me about it because a kid had taken an AR test on it and she was a bit confused about the content. I picked it up and read it in a couple of class periods, in between other classes coming in and working on processing books. I REALLY enjoyed it, but I can definitely see why someone might be a bit confused by the AR questions that go along with the book if you had no idea what it was about.

Rusty is the new kid in town and he can't believe his luck when he becomes friends with boy next door. Joey is everything a boy could want in a friend: he likes to go to the river, he's always up for fun, and he is more than willing to keep some things a secret (like when someone loses their shorts in the river). But these secrets start to pile up and Rusty has to figure out what it actually means to be a friend to someone and at what point it's worth it to break a promise and go against your friend's wishes.

NOTE: this book is deceiving because it is short (126 pages) and it has a low reading level. There is depth here, so be aware! Appropriate for grades 6-9.

[Yue · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first couple of episodes were just OK, I thought the target was Middle Grade children since it is about a young boy, Rusty, a newcomer in a rural town, befriending another boy, Joey. It is mostly about them being naughty (but they are good boys), playing outside, fighting with their older sisters and making blood pacts whenever they were sharing a secret (mostly Joey's).

Then it starts to get more serious bit by bit. Joey has a gun. Joey's father is a violent drunk guy, specially with Joey. Squirrels and fishes are being killed. A bad joke turns into the death of someone, which leads to Joey and Rusty being depressed. Which leads to Joey almost committing suicide.

It still manages to have a sweet ending, which was very moving. It is basically a book about friendship, and how to always be there for each other. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a realistic fiction, and very recommended for children and adults alike.

[Charly Troff (JustaReadingMama) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a hard book for me to rate. It's very well written but for most of the book, it wasn't really my kind of story. There was more of what I consider crass humor and I didn't love all the jokes the boys would play. I also didn't light Joe for most of the book. But then that ending. It hurts hard and made up for a lot of the earlier book for me.

Overall, not my favorite by Wendelin Van Draanen, but still a solid read.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read with a student in school. About two boys who have to keep making pacts because they pull pranks. Really fun book for about 80% and then one prank goes very badly. I couldn't believe how the book turned around at the end. Realistic fiction, felt like it was set in the 50s or so. Good but sad.

[Noemi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books a person can read. And honestly, one of the saddest too. This book made me bawl my eyes out, but the ending was so heartwarming and beautiful. I'm so glad for what book has taught me. I was in love with every page. I would recommend this book to every person. It will make you cry and laugh at the same time.

[Joy Slykhuis · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent, wonderful little book about Rusty and Joey, the summer before grade 7, and their adventures with keeping goldfish alive, plinking cans, killing ground squirrels, and trying to keep Joey from getting whipped by his father. When his sister is killed in a car accident, caused by Rusty and Joey, Joey's family self-destructs. Outstanding!

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

A friend reads this book to her middle school classes and I had not yet had the pleasure. There is some tough subject matter, and it is so well presented. This is a quick, younger middle school read.

[Sylvia · Rating 2 out of 5]

A book geared for children and adolescents about domestic violence & abuse. It has some raunchy kid humor that young boys love but then it hit some pretty serious subjects. What comes through is a picture of true friendship. My grandsons loved it.
"I swear to howdy, if you tell a soul . . ."

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book shows how easy a simple seemingly simple act can turn into a life-changing situation.

[Brenda Kahn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Decided to reread this old favorite and found it to be as powerful this time around as the first. It was also my 100th book of summer vacation. It's back to school tomorrow!

[Momruns5 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good story for middle grade readers and adults alike about being a friend and when to cross a line of trust to be a true friend.

[711Max · Rating 4 out of 5]

very entertaining to read. very quick

[Kevin Comfort · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great humor in this book! Loved reading it for a second time. No regrets.

[Mark · Rating 2 out of 5]

Strange. Not bad, just... strange!
(The feeling I got from it)

[Richard L. Haas III · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a good book, but man, does that ending hit you hard. Primarily I liked it more than Van Draanen's other book, "Flipped," but they are two very different types of books.

[Marcella Jacobs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book for reluctant readers. Perfect quick read for middle school. Hilarious yet poignant pertaining themes of loyalty, honesty, and innocence.

[Davyon Ingram · Rating 4 out of 5]

I THINK THAT BOOK WAS A VERY GOOD BOOK AND I WOULD RECOMMEMEND SOME PEOPLE THAT I KNOW TO READ IT...

[Trevor Weinberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

i love this book its so good

[Jaime Delgado · Rating 5 out of 5]

i liked this book a lot.