Junior Jedi Knights: Promises

• ISBN 1572970979 ; Published by Boulevard in April of 1996 , a paperback edition consisting of 114 pages.
• ISBN 0-425-16955-3 ; Released by Berkley Jam during April of 1996 , a paperback edition encompassing 128 pages.

Anakin Solo, now at the age of eleven, is on his way to the Jedi academy! The Force resonates strongly within him—he can perceive it. Consequently, his uncle Luke believes it is the opportune moment for Anakin to commence his training…

Prior to her enrollment at the academy, Tahiri, Anakin's companion, resided with a peculiar and hazardous tribe. She possesses no knowledge of her biological parents—or the circumstances that led her to live amongst the deceitful Tusken Raiders. Tahiri was aware that the day would arrive when she would uncover everything regarding her origins…and that day has indeed arrived!

However, Tahiri must first demonstrate her worthiness. This necessitates the completion of a perilous mission that will evaluate her capabilities as both a warrior and a Jedi Knight. With Anakin by her side, she will be compelled to harness the Force in an unprecedented manner.

Should Tahiri succeed, she will gain insight into the lives—and deaths—of her parents. Conversely, should she fail, both she and Anakin may be forced to pay the ultimate price…

Before her training at the Jedi Praxeum began, Tahiri Veila had previously lived amongst the perilous Tusken Raiders located in the Tatooine deserts. This young Human has no memories of her biological parents or the reasons she came to live with the Sand people. Nevertheless, she always knew that the day would come where she would learn the truth about her past. Finally, that day has arrived.

Tahiri, now nine years old, faces a crucial decision. Before beginning her training at the Jedi Praxeum, Sliven, her adoptive father and leader of the Tusken tribe that raised her, insisted that Tahiri eventually return to Tatooine to decide whether to resume her life as a Tusken Raider or to continue her Jedi Knight training. Anakin, Tahiri, and Tionne Solusar journey to Tatooine. Upon their arrival, Tahiri is reunited with Sliven, who reveals the details of her history.

Tahiri's parents, Cassa and Tryst Veila, had rescued a wounded Sliven and aided in his recovery. Sliven developed a strong bond with Tahiri's parents, but they were inadvertently killed by Sliven's tribe while they were searching for him. Sliven decided to raise Tahiri as a form of atonement. Vexa, a member of Sliven's tribe, opposed his decision and made a deal with him. Tahiri would be permitted to join the tribe if, at the age of nine, she underwent a trial. If she succeeded, Sliven would remain the leader of the tribe. If she failed, Sliven would be killed, and Vexa would take his place.

Anakin and Tahiri both agree to undertake the trial. They are left in the Dune Sea and instructed to return to the tribe's camp within a week. The pair begins their journey. Their initial challenge arises when they need to escape from a Sarlacc. Subsequently, they encounter a group of Jawas. Anakin successfully repairs their Sandcrawler, and in return, they provide them with food, water, and transport them to the edge of the Jundland Wastes.

Within the Jundland Wastes, Tahiri and Anakin encounter a Krayt dragon. The Krayt dragon launches an attack and abducts Anakin. Tahiri pursues it back to its cave, where she and Anakin manage to escape by employing the Force to drop boulders onto the Krayt dragon's tail, trapping it. With limited food and water remaining, Tahiri and Anakin reach out through the Force to Tahiri's bantha, Bangor. Bangor rescues the two children and carries them back to the Tusken Raiders' camp within the allotted one-week timeframe. Tahiri resolves to continue her path toward becoming a Jedi Knight and departs from Tatooine with a thumbprint pendant from Sliven as a memento.

Upon returning to Yavin IV, Anakin and Tahiri head back to the Palace of the Woolamander to address the Golden Globe. Despite the attempts of Exar Kun's malevolent followers to thwart them with deceitful words, the two children bravely press onward. By using the Force in conjunction with Tahiri, Anakin manages to enter the Golden Globe and rescue the trapped souls of the Massassi children inside. The spirits of the children safely vanish and return to their people. Anakin and Tahiri depart from the temple and reunite with Jedi Master Luke Skywalker and Jedi Master Ikrit, who was finally able to inform Luke about the significant feat the two children had accomplished.