Wednesday, November 13, 2019

This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger

In Depression era Minnesota, 12 yr old Odie O'Bannon runs away from the Lincoln Indian Training School, along with his brother Albert, their friend Mose, and newly orphaned Emmy.  They set out in a canoe down the Gilead river, heading for the Mississippi and St. Louis, hoping to find a place to call home.

Along the way, they meet many memorable people -- the "pig-scarer" farmer, a traveling revival show, residents of a Hooverville, and others.  All this time, they are being chased by the superintendent of the Lincoln School.  Odie eventually makes it so St. Louis, only to find out that his "Home" there wasn't what he hoped for.  But all of the Vagabonds do find home in time.

This is a beautifully written book with a wonderful story.  I highly, highly recommend it!

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