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Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children’s Book Award (Vermont)
American Indian Youth Literature Award Honor Book
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?
1. In I Can Make This Promise, what animal is on Edie’s name tag on her first day of kindergarten? Elephant (p. 2)
2. In I Can Make This Promise, what food almost looks like an elephant ear? Fry bread (p. 7)
3. In I Can Make This Promise, how many fountain fireworks does Edie’s family buy for 4th of July? Two (p. 11)
4. Two parts: In I Can Make This Promise, what are two flowers in Edie’s mom’s garden? Peonies, dahlias (p. 25-26)
5. In I Can Make This Promise, what is the name of Edie’s art teacher? Mrs. Barnes (p. 27)
6. In I Can Make This Promise, what is the date of the first letter from Edith that Edie finds? December 14, 1973 (p. 38)
7. In I Can Make This Promise, who comes up with the name Bruno for the dog Edie sees at the Tulalip Reservation on the 4th of July? Serenity (p. 28)
8. In I Can Make This Promise, what is the name of Edie’s orthodontist? Dr. Ashworth (p. 59)
9. In I Can Make This Promise, what is the name of the Dr. Seuss book that Edie sees a mom reading to her daughter in the orthodontist’s office? Oh, The Places You’ll Go! (p. 69)
10. In I Can Make This Promise, what is the old nickname Edie has for Amelia? Millie (p. 80)
11. Two parts: In I Can Make This Promise, what are two things that fall out of the notebook with the thick black cover and swollen middle? Any two: newspaper clippings, flyers, napkins, movie tickets, bus passes (p. 83)
12. In I Can Make This Promise, what city were all of “other” Edith’s letters sent to? Indianola (p. 84)
13. In I Can Make This Promise, what is “other” Edith’s full name? Edith Anne Graham (p. 85)
14. In I Can Make This Promise, what is the first and last name of the woman who reject an Academy Award on behalf of Marlon Brando? Sacheen Littlefeather (p. 86)
15. In I Can Make This Promise, what is Edie eating at Uncle Phil’s BBQ when suddenly her teeth and braces bother her? Watermelon (p. 95)
16. In I Can Make This Promise, who is the first adult whom Edie talks to about Edith Graham? Uncle Phil (p. 100)
17. In I Can Make This Promise, what movie does Edith Graham have her first speaking role? When the West Was Theirs (p. 121)
18. In I Can Make This Promise, who joins Amelia, Amelia’s mom, and Edie to Pike Place? Libby (p. 124)
19. In I Can Make This Promise, what instrument is the man near Pike Place Market playing? Saxophone (p. 129)
20. In I Can Make This Promise, how many minutes of screen time does Amelia lose for being mean to Edie about the mac ‘n’ cheese at Pike Place? 5 minutes (p. 137)
21. In I Can Make This Promise, who was Edie’s first best friend? Amelia (p. 145)
22. In I Can Make This Promise, what grade was Uncle Phil in when he learned that Edie’s mom was being bullied? 8th grade (p. 179)
23. Two parts: In I Can Make This Promise, what are the names of the two characters who surprise Edie at the cabin on the waterfront? Serenity and Uncle Phil (p. 210)
24. In I Can Make This Promise, what word flashes on the screen of the cabin television? PLAY (p. 214)
25. Two parts: In I Can Make This Promise, what are two foods Edie can’t eat while she has braces? Any two: popcorn, caramel, nuts, chips, pretzels (p. 95), gum (p. 131)
Christine Day is a citizen of the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe. Her first novel, I Can Make This Promise, was a best book of the year from NPR, as well as a Charlotte Huck Award Honor Book, and an American Indian Youth Literature Award Honor Book. Her second novel, The Sea in Winter, was a Top 10 Indie Kids’ Next selection, a finalist for the Pacific Northwest Book Award, and an American Indian Youth Literature Award Honor Book. She also wrote She Persisted: Maria Tallchief, a biography in Chelsea Clinton’s book series about inspirational women. Her next book, We Still Belong, is coming to shelves in Summer 2023. Christine lives with her family in the rainy and resplendent Pacific Northwest.
Her work is represented by Suzie Townsend of New Leaf Literary & Media, Inc.