I CAN MAKE THIS PROMISE
In her debut middle grade novel—inspired by her family’s history—Christine Day tells the story of a girl who uncovers her family’s secrets—and 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 doesn’t have any answers.
Until the day when she and her friends discover a box hidden in the attic—a 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?
An American Indian Youth Literature Award Honor Book!
A Charlotte Huck Award for Outstanding Fiction for Children Honor Book!
One of NPR’s Favorite Books of 2019!
A School Library Journal, Kirkus Reviews, and Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2019!
A Publishers Weekly Flying Start selection!
A contender for the 2020 Global Read Aloud!
"An incomparably vital story rendered with the tenderness of soft brushstrokes, Christine Day’s debut is a powerful portrait of a twelve-year-old girl trying to unravel the mystery of her family’s past. 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 spirit—she certainly stole mine."
—Hayley Chewins, author of The Turnaway Girls
“Day’s 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 one’s 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
★ “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
★ “Beyond the mystery, important themes resonate throughout, including cultural identity and what makes a friendship worth keeping. Day’s affecting novel also considers historical truths about how Native Americans have been treated throughout U.S. history, particularly underlining family separations.” —Publishers Weekly
★ "Readers will be drawn into Edie’s emotions as she copes with overprotective parents and honesty in relationships. Keep an eye out for Day, as her writing is powerful. Highly recommended.” —School Library Journal
“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 rich story that is both powerfully genuine in its conflicts and delightfully imaginative in its resolutions.” —Booklist
“A beautifully written and moving novel that highlights the importance of family, friendship, and maintaining a connection to one’s culture. A must-read!” —The Children’s Book Review
“Day paints a compelling portrait of a girl who is keenly aware she is different from her classmates, curious about her Native American roots and frustrated by her parents' refusal to talk to her about it...Day finds the perfect hopeful note to wrap up her story.” —Buffalo News
“Edie’s ignoring of the literal fireworks in favor of the emotional variety is such a vivid and beautiful image. And that image, of staring at the truth despite the distractions that life offers at every turn, repeats throughout the book. It’s also a perfect metaphor for childhood: we often can’t see the truth we most need, even when it’s right in front of us, until we’re ready to see it. With each revelation of the truth, we get a little bit closer to an answer for the eternal question of who we are.” —The Seattle Review of Books