Kat's Promise
by Bonnie Shimko
Published by Harcourt Children's Books
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Reviewed by Elysabeth Eldering
What does a twelve year-old girl do when all her immediate family is gone?
There is nothing left in the town where Kat has grown up now that her mother has died. After the funeral, Paulina, her mother's sister, comes to whisk her away to the town where both girls grew up. Kat takes an immediate disliking to her aunt, who insists that she be called Mother and that Kat will be her daughter now, and does everything she can think of to stay away from the house and her aunt as much as possible.
The aunt's housekeeper befriends Kat, which is a blessing since she feels so out of place in her Aunt Paulina's presence. After telling her aunt that she will never call her "Mother," the war is on. Which will give in first?
When Kat starts school she makes an immediate connection with the girl who sort of just tries to be inconspicuous, but in doing so, really stands out. They are almost inseparable through thick and thin.
Kat has made a promise to herself, and will not break her promise. As we follow Kat through this tragic coming-of-age story, we find out all kinds of secrets about her mother, her aunt and the neighbors as well as the families involved.
This was an overall well-written story. I liked how we see this young, almost adult, girl comes full circle within the life-altering moments. From the tragedy of losing her mother to the first love, we see Kat grow up pretty much as normal as possible.
Armchair Interviews says: A well-written coming-of-age story that includes love and loss.