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?

A Life-Changing Discovery: Edie and her friends find a mysterious box in the attic, filled with letters from a woman who shares her name—and her face. Deep Family Secrets: For twelve years, Edie believed her adopted mother knew nothing about her Native family. Now, she questions if she can trust her parents to tell her the whole truth. A Journey of Identity: A heartfelt story of a young girl piecing together her past to understand who she truly is and where her family comes from. Complicated Friendships: As Edie navigates her family’s hidden history, her friendships are tested, forcing her to figure out who she can really count on.