No Promises in the Wind

by Irene Hunt

Book Overview

From the Newbery Award-winning author of Across Five Aprils and Up a Road Slowly comes a tale of a brave young man's struggle to find his own strength during the Great Depression.

"A powerfully moving story."--Chicago Daily News

In 1932, American's dreams were simple: a job, food to eat, a place to sleep, and shoes without holes. But for millions of people these simple needs were nothing more than dreams...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0425182800
• ISBN13: 9780425182802
• Release Date: January 2002
• Publisher: Berkley Books
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.36 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.1" x 7.6"
• Age Range: 12 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 7 and higher

Customer Reviews

Look a little deeper. Don't be shallow.

No Promises in the Wind follows Josh (15) and Joey (10) Grondowski as they venture from their family in Chicago with their teenage friend Howie during the Great Depression. This realistic, and historical-fiction novel shows the turbulence of the 1930's - the starvation, unemployment, hopping trains. Devastation strikes as early as chapter two, keeping you intrigued. Some say this book is boring, but they're being shallow. This book was written exceptionally well, with an upper-reading level. This book has everything a teenage novel should have-a little action, a fifteen year-old boy who has a good character with some depth, a little romance, and an adventure. Judge it for yourself, if nothing else you'll learn a little about the Great Depression and "a boy with the solemn name of Josh Grondowski". AWW, Age 14

Great Through and through

This is a great book in which you learn the difficulty of life in the past and still enjoy a great book. When two brothers, Josh and Joey, are faced with hardships, such as death of a friend,and starvation, they are forced to fight not only for food but for survivial. They sink as low as to having to go door to door begging for food. When a kind trucker, Lonnie, helps them find a job the boys become close to the man. The book then changes atmosphere for a while but then becomes thick and heavy once again. I won't tell you the ending but it ends nicely. I read this book in seventh grade but I'm doing a review of it for eighth grade. It's a great book, don't believe those who contridict it and say that it lacks oriniality. This book is very copassionate and touching. GOOD readers who enjoy GOOD books will enjoy this masterpiece.

No Promises In The Wind, By: Irene Hunt

This was an excellent book written by Irene Hunt. It was truly entertaining and a real page turner. The characters are superb and the plot is dynamic. This is the first book that I have read by Mrs. Hunt. It is about a boy named Joey and his brother who have decided to move out of their house and live on their own. The setting of this well written novel is in the depressing 1930's were food is scarce and jobs are minimum. Harry, who is Joey's friend decide to journey along with them.They embark on a hunt to try to survive by playing music which they are good at. Many suprising elements arise in the story as an result. The three find it hard to live, they are own the street begging for money and they are trying to survive.Luck turns when they find a job, and Joey meets a beautiful lady who is 30 and he is 15. Her name is Emily and she works as a clown at the circus, which is Joey's new job. All in all, the story turns out magnificent as the climax at the end of the story begins to unfold. Truly a magnificent and entertaining account of Irene Hunt's wonderful writing skill's...

superbly written

This book is not your typical teenage pulp trash. It is the beautifully written story of two boys and their fight to survive during the Great Depression. The story will make you think and stay with you forever. I ought to know. I first read it 20 years ago, and I continue to reread it with great pleasure.

No Promises in the Wind was terrific!

This book was exciting, sad, and romantic. It is about a boy struggling in the depression and facing death, love, povery, and survival. The ending was so good that my heart was ready to burst! I loved it! There should be a sequel. I reccomend this book and The Lottery Rose also by Irene Hunt.