This Tender Land A Novel

In the summer of 1932, during the depths of the Great Depression, twelve-year-old Odie O'Banion and his older brother, Albert, find themselves trapped at the Lincoln Indian Training School in Minnesota, a place that offers little in the way of kindness. After a sudden, terrible crime forces them to flee, Odie, Albert, their mute Sioux friend Mose, and a heartbroken young girl named Emmy embark on a desperate journey down the Gilead River in a stolen canoe.

Their odyssey takes them through the heart of the American Midwest, where they encounter a diverse array of drifters, struggling farmers, and traveling faith healers, all grappling with the harsh realities of a nation in turmoil. As these four orphans navigate unpredictable currents and unforeseen dangers, they search not only for a place to call home, but also for a deeper understanding of family, belonging, and the enduring power of hope in a world that often seems to offer none.