Joel and his best friend Tony have known each other since the age of 2. Joel is a little in awe of his daredevil friend, and when Tony wants to go swimming in the treacherous and forbidden Vermilion River, Joel is torn between disobeying his parents and incurring Tony's scorn. When Tony drowns, Joel is consumed with guilt, as well as terrified of telling his parents of his disobedience.
- Genre: Juvenile Fiction, Juvenile Nonfiction
- Subgenre: Social Issues / Death + Dying, General, Health + Daily Living / General, Social Issues / Values + Virtues, Social Issues / General, Social Issues / Friendship, Social Issues / Peer Pressure, Social Issues / Adolescence
- Age: 9-12 years
- Publisher: Yearling Books
- Pages: 90
- Format: paperback
- Release Date: March 1, 1989
- Date Published: March 1, 1989
- Author: Marion Dane Bauer