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Promises
Set in the days before Bryce Canyon became a national park, timid twelve-year-old Hattie faces making new friends when her family moves to Tropic, Utah. Adventures in the nearby canyon help her learn that there is a difference between complaining and standing up for one's self.
212 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
1 person is currently reading
27 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Twede Frank
33 books98 followersAbout my writing: I don't like to write candy for the brain. But I do like to try to make my books not only fulfilling, but entertaining. Candy is nice, but a meal of meat, potatoes, and veges can leave you more satisfied. My books give the reader a good taste of history and/or science along with a dash of mystery folded into the story.
About me: I've always loved writing, but haven't gotten serious until the past seven years. When I'm not writing, I like to garden, sew, fix up old houses, or anything else creative. My favorite movies are ones about history.
About me: I've always loved writing, but haven't gotten serious until the past seven years. When I'm not writing, I like to garden, sew, fix up old houses, or anything else creative. My favorite movies are ones about history.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 30, 2012
I think the summary really gives you the whole run down of this story. "Promises is a heartwarming story of friendship...and adventure." That is exactly how I would sum up this story.
I spent quite a few of my early years, up until I was about 8 years old, living in Southern Utah very near Zion's Park. The setting of this book was around the area of Bryce Canyon. If you've never experienced the beauties of Southern Utah, you really should. The red rocks of the area are so beautiful to me. Even now, after decades of being away, when I happen to drive through that area, or see pictures even, I feel like I am coming home.
I also had a dry wash running right behind my house. My mother beat into my head the dangers of that wash because you never knew when it was going to fill with water from a rainstorm up in the mountains. This was another part of Hattie's story that I related to.
The scenery along with the daily life of the early pioneers to the southwest were interesting and so easy to picture in my mind. I really enjoyed following Hattie through her life. She had many experiences that tugged at my heartstrings. Watching her grow up and find her voice was very sweet.
What a great middle grade historical fiction book. I'm so glad I had the chance to read it. My thanks to Carolyn for thinking of me.
I spent quite a few of my early years, up until I was about 8 years old, living in Southern Utah very near Zion's Park. The setting of this book was around the area of Bryce Canyon. If you've never experienced the beauties of Southern Utah, you really should. The red rocks of the area are so beautiful to me. Even now, after decades of being away, when I happen to drive through that area, or see pictures even, I feel like I am coming home.
I also had a dry wash running right behind my house. My mother beat into my head the dangers of that wash because you never knew when it was going to fill with water from a rainstorm up in the mountains. This was another part of Hattie's story that I related to.
The scenery along with the daily life of the early pioneers to the southwest were interesting and so easy to picture in my mind. I really enjoyed following Hattie through her life. She had many experiences that tugged at my heartstrings. Watching her grow up and find her voice was very sweet.
What a great middle grade historical fiction book. I'm so glad I had the chance to read it. My thanks to Carolyn for thinking of me.
April 7, 2012
Even though this is a middle grade/ya novel, I was thoroughly entertained and involved in the storyline. The mystery of Hattie trying to find out about the girl who had previously lived in her house, and left some belongings, kept the story moving forward.I also was moved by the family dynamics in this novel. Hattie belongs to such a wonderful and supportive family. But not everyone she comes in contact with, has a family like this. So Hattie is constantly challenged with making choices, keeping promises and also staying true to who she is. Hattie is a fabulous character that kids and adults will like. She is very timid, and it is quite fulfilling to see how she grows and changes over the course of the novel.
As a parent, I am always on a constant journey to find books that are clean, no bad language, and also well written. I am so happy to tell you this is a wonderful book that fits the bill of what I'm always looking for. Promises is based on an LDS family and some religion is discussed, but nothing preachy. I love the fact that the characters pray when they need help. So I highly recommend Promises to you and your children. This is such a wonderful story, which reminds me a lot of the "Little House" series.
As a parent, I am always on a constant journey to find books that are clean, no bad language, and also well written. I am so happy to tell you this is a wonderful book that fits the bill of what I'm always looking for. Promises is based on an LDS family and some religion is discussed, but nothing preachy. I love the fact that the characters pray when they need help. So I highly recommend Promises to you and your children. This is such a wonderful story, which reminds me a lot of the "Little House" series.
February 28, 2012
Hattie is barely twelve when her pa’s “business adventures” disrupt her family and move them to the new town of Tropic, nestled in the shadows of old Ebenezer Bryce’s Canyon. Her pa views the town as opportunity. Hattie is hopelessly shy and views it with apprehension; she dreads the task of making new friends. More than anything else, Hattie wants to be like her father—not afraid of meeting new people, talking to strangers, and standing up for herself. So it is with trepidation that she accepts her pa’s challenge and promises to make new friends.
Hattie forms more promises as she struggles to make friends, finding companionship in places she wouldn’t have expected and learning that there is a difference between complaining and standing up for oneself.
Promises is a heartwarming story of friendship with a touch of mystery and adventure set in the days before Bryce Canyon became a national park. Drawn from the memoirs of early Utah settlers, it is a realistic glimpse into the past and a delightful story for readers ages eight to eighty.
Hattie forms more promises as she struggles to make friends, finding companionship in places she wouldn’t have expected and learning that there is a difference between complaining and standing up for oneself.
Promises is a heartwarming story of friendship with a touch of mystery and adventure set in the days before Bryce Canyon became a national park. Drawn from the memoirs of early Utah settlers, it is a realistic glimpse into the past and a delightful story for readers ages eight to eighty.
March 30, 2012
From the back cover: Promises is a heart warming story of friendship with a touch of mystery and adventure set in the days before Bryce Canyon became a national park. Drawn from the memoirs of Hattie Adair Jolley and her children, it is a realistic glimpse into the past and a delightful story for readers ages eight to eighty.
What I thought: It took me a short shifting of gears to get into the middle grade language and style, but I found myself enjoying this delightful story. Author Carolyn Frank includes the necessary elements key to a girl of twelve: fitting in with friends, the first flutterings of a crush, internal secret hopes, and more. She includes the flavor of the times and setting in a story that comes full circle as we see Hattie grow into a young woman. There’s also a lesson or two that can be learned. I believe the book is most appropriate for girls 10-14. Eight is a little too young unless they read above their grade level or the story is read to them. Four stars for this age group.
What I thought: It took me a short shifting of gears to get into the middle grade language and style, but I found myself enjoying this delightful story. Author Carolyn Frank includes the necessary elements key to a girl of twelve: fitting in with friends, the first flutterings of a crush, internal secret hopes, and more. She includes the flavor of the times and setting in a story that comes full circle as we see Hattie grow into a young woman. There’s also a lesson or two that can be learned. I believe the book is most appropriate for girls 10-14. Eight is a little too young unless they read above their grade level or the story is read to them. Four stars for this age group.
March 31, 2012
I loved this book. I believe many of my students will enjoy it as well. I could really identify with Hattie. I was just like her. I wanted to speak up for myself, yet was shy enough and let myself be bullied and walked on for most of my life. I still don’t like conflict. I loved the fact that promises meant so much to Hattie. Her promises were driven by a desire to solve a mystery based on items she found in the house they moved into. I definitely understood how Hattie felt when they moved from their home to their new place. That was exactly how I felt when we moved to Florida when I was fourteen. It was almost as if Carolyn followed me around as I grew up and had a microscope that showed her all of my thoughts and feelings. This book reminded me in many ways of the “Little House on the Prairie Series”, which was always one of my favorites. I will have no problem recommending this book to my friends.
March 27, 2012
This is a really cute sweet story about a year (mostly) in the life of a Utah pioneer girl living in a small town on the edge of Bryce Canyon. Based on the stories of the author's ancestors, I think. I really enjoyed it!
May 20, 2012
Review to come soon!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews