Death is a part of life. But Lydi never imagined it would follow her family across the plains from Chicago to the rolling hills of Iowa. Discover the hope and grit of a family as they cope with the loss of more than a father.This book reads like a pre-war biography written through the eyes and ears of a ten-year-old farm girl. Feel the soft, green grass between your feet. Smell the fresh-cut hay warming in the sun. Experience the life of an immigrant family around their farm, at school, and with their neighbors. Discover the delight-and anguish-of a family struggling to build a new home. Learn what it meant to work hard, to trust, and-in the end-to persevere. In a world of suffering and cynicism, Promises to Keep is a stream of fresh water."No matter how difficult things may be, we will not give up." ABOUT THE AUTHORThe author grew up on a farm near De Smet, South Dakota, and has lived in North Dakota and Iowa. For the last 28 years she has worked in school or public libraries as a children's librarian. DeAnn enjoys gardening, orcharding and quilting. She lives on an acreage near Logan, Iowa with her cat, Elsa, 785,479 honey bees and 18 chickens, including Little Black Banty.