Forgotten Oath
About the Book
Noah couldn't recall ever looking into the face of a Night Marcher, nor did he know the act was punishable by death. After all, he was only four years old when it happened. He also couldn't believe the family legend about his grandfather making a pact with a Night Marcher to save Noah's life. If Noah swore an oath to protect the life of the Night Marcher's descendant, the Night Marcher would let Noah live. Years later, during a sixth-grade service project at an abandoned cemetery, Noah found himself transported to Hilo in 1834, where he must prove the innocence of both himself and the Night Marcher's descendant, who stands accused of murder. Desperate to return to his own time, Noah tricks his guide into sending him back to the present, vowing never to return. But when Noah confides in his cousin, Blaise, he is branded a coward and accused of abandoning their grandfather. If the oath is not fulfilled, Noah will die the same day the descendant will hang, and his grandfather's spirit will never find peace. With time running out and the boundaries between the past and present blurring, will Noah risk everything to keep his promise?
Reader Reviews
"With its richly imagined world, Dorothea N. Buckingham has crafted a timeless tale of courage, redemption and the enduring power of promises kept."
Book Commentary
2024 Silver Moonbeam Award
Moonbeam Children's Book Awards
"It keeps the reader hooked and on the edge of your seat."
Komal Hashmi, Reviewer, NetGalley
"A delightful mix of historical, fantastical, and adventurous."
Independent Book Review
"This blend of thrilling narrative and thoughtful cultural representation makes for a consistently engaging and edifying read." -
Kirkus
About the Author
Dorothea N Buckingham
Dorothea N. Buckingham (better known to all as Dee) has called Hawaii home for over 30 years. Following her career as a librarian in the Hawaii State Library System and the University of Hawaii for some years, she was able to leave and pursue writing full-time. Her published titles include: “The Essential Guide to Sumo a complete guide to the Japanese sport” (Bess Press, Inc., 1994) which was very popular during the height of the American sumo wrestlers. “My Name is Loa”, (Sydney Press, third printing 2022), her first young adult novel, is still a consistent backlist book and was on the Kamehameha Schools’ reading list for over ten years. “Who Murdered Jane Stanford?: An Answer Imagined", (Sydney Press, 2022) is a historical novel about the mysterious death of Jane Leland Stanford in Hawaii in 1905. Dee has a deep fondness for both the young adult and historical fiction genres and has received numerous regional and national reviews for her young adult works. In fact, Staring Down The Dragon, (Sydney Press, 2003) was an American Library Association's “Best Book for Young Adults". Writing the story of Rell DeMello, a high school sophomore returning to school after nearly a year of cancer treatment, was a daunting challenge. However, she felt strongly that it could offer a meaningful portrayal of a teen dealing with a realistic crisis. “Delicious Tidbits – The Recipes and Stories of Sackets Harbor” (Sydney Press, 2007) is a historical, pictorial cookbook developed around the unique characters, organizations, events, and anecdotes surrounding the beautiful village of Sackets Harbor, New York.