Lily's Promise

by Kathryn Erskine (Author)

Lily's Promise
Reading Level: 4th − 5th Grade

From National Book Award-winning author Kathryn Erskine comes a heartfelt, poignant novel that tackles grief, change, and the struggle to let your voice be heard. 

Shy, eleven-year-old Lily made her dad an important promise before he passed away--that she would "Strive for Five" and speak her mind at least five times. But speaking up one time, let alone five, is easier said than done. It'll be even harder now that Lily must attend public school for the first time. Fortunately, she meets curling-obsessed Hobart and quiet Dunya at the beginning of sixth grade. Their kindness gives Lily hope that life without Dad might just be bearable.

But when Lily and her friends are bullied by Ryan and his mean clique, she quickly discovers the true meaning of friendship and speaking out. Despite the anxiety she feels, Lily knows she needs to stand up for herself and others. And she'll use the tools her dad gave her to not only keep her final promise but bring her whole school together. 

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Publishers Weekly

In alternating chapters, Erskine (The Incredible Magic of Being) follows the third-person telling of a sixth grade new kid and the meta first-person commentary of Libro--the book itself. When intellectually curious, formerly homeschooled Lily, cued as white, starts at a new school following her father's death, the shy girl attempts to honor a promise she made to him: to move out of her comfort zone. As Lily adjusts to life with her immigration lawyer mother and labradoodle Skippy, she also navigates the transition to school, bullies, and lunchtime cliques, gradually collecting friends: outspoken white neighbor and curling enthusiast Hobart ("Awkward is my middle name") and contemplative, multilingual Dunya, who's from Iraq. Erskine effectively captures Lily's struggles to find her voice, escalating her conflict with entitled bully Ryan, in opposition to whom the friends start a kindness letter-writing campaign, stand up for each other and others, and launch a slate of candidates for student council. The inclusion of Libro's meta voice can sometimes interrupt the action, but it effectively provides humor while offering insight into storytelling. A touching novel that will leave readers cheering for Lily's quiet victories. Ages 8-12. (May)

Copyright 2021 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

School Library Journal

Gr 3-7—After an idyllic childhood of homeschooling, Lily must start public school as a sixth grader after the death of her beloved father. Lily is grieving and overwhelmed by the noise, pace, and bullies of public school. But she quickly finds a friend in the exuberant Hobart, and in time they expand their friendship circle to include other classmates, such as such as Dunya, a recent immigrant. Lily and her friends learn compassion and confidence through their growing bond. This book introduces many mature themes in child-appropriate ways. Erskine explores significant topics, such as the treatment of immigrants in the United Sates, as well as lighter ones, such as how litter is harmful for dogs. These tidbits generally fit with the characters' voice and development as well as the story line, but sometimes feel a bit forced. Narrative chapters alternate with meta-observations by the book itself. The character of the book comments on the children and plot, referring to the author as "the Imaginer" and weighing in on literary themes. Lily is cued as white. VERDICT The story structure may be confusing to less experienced readers, but curious kids who love books will enjoy joining this welcoming group of friends as they learn about the world we share.—Amelia Jenkins, Juneau P.L., AK

Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

Erskine aptly conveys Lily's inner struggle between her reserved demeanor and her desire to stand up to bullying. The metafiction appearance between chapters of 'Libro, ' the voice of the physical book, adds humor and draws attention to the literary craft. Even the quietest readers will cheer.
Kirkus Reviews
Kathryn Erskine

Keith Henry Brown began his artistic career in comics, went on to pursue painting, and later became creative director for Jazz at Lincoln Center. He has had a lifelong love of music, particularly jazz, and has illustrated many album covers for prominent jazz musicians. He is the father of two sons, and their relationships inspired much of his writing and art for My Dad Is a DJ. Keith lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Kathryn Erskine is the National Book Award-winning author of Mockingbird along with several other novels for children and teens. Her first picture book, Mama Africa! How Miriam Makeba Spread Hope with Her Song, illustrated by Charly Palmer, received three starred reviews and won the Coretta Scott King-John Steptoe Award for New Talent in Illustration as well as the Africana Book Award.

Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9780063058163
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Quill Tree Books
Publication date
November 15, 2022
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV039050 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Emotions & Feelings
JUV039030 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Death & Dying
JUV039140 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance
JUV039230 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Bullying
JUV039020 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Adolescence
Library of Congress categories
Self-esteem
Promises

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