INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER! “If you liked Where the Crawdads Sing, you’ll love This Tender Land...This story is as big-hearted as they come.” —Parade A magnificent novel about four orphans on a life-changing odyssey during the Great Depression, from the bestselling author of Ordinary Grace. 1932, Minnesota—the Lincoln School is a pitiless place where hundreds of Native American children, forcibly separated from their parents, are sent to be educated. It is also home to an orphan named Odie O’Banion, a lively boy whose exploits earn him the superintendent’s wrath. Forced to flee, he and his brother Albert, their best friend Mose, and a brokenhearted little girl named Emmy steal away in a canoe, heading for the mighty Mississippi and a place to call their own. Over the course of one unforgettable summer, these four orphans will journey into the unknown and cross paths with others who are adrift, from struggling farmers and traveling faith healers to displaced families and lost souls of all kinds. With the feel of a modern classic, This Tender Land is an enthralling, big-hearted epic that shows how the magnificent American landscape connects us all, haunts our dreams, and makes us whole.
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About the author
William Kent Krueger
Author
William Kent Krueger is an American novelist and crime writer, best known for his series of novels featuring Cork O'Connor, which are set mainly in Minnesota. In 2005 and 2006, he won back-to-back Anthony Awards for best novel. In 2014, his stand-alone book Ordinary Grace won the Edgar Award for Best Novel of 2013. In 2019, This Tender Land was on the New York Times bestseller list for nearly six months.
This Tender Land
by William Kent Krueger
Books Like This Tender Land
If you're looking for books similar to This Tender Land, here are some recommendations based on themes, tone, and narrative style.
All the Light We Cannot See
Anthony Doerr
A beautifully written novel set during World War II, following two young protagonists whose lives intersect. Explores themes of survival, human connection, and hope during challenging times. Like This Tender Land, it offers a deeply emotional journey of young people navigating a complex world.
The Nickel Boys
Colson Whitehead
A powerful novel based on a real reform school in Florida, exploring racism and institutional abuse. Follows young boys navigating a brutal system, similar to the Lincoln School in This Tender Land. The story reveals the resilience of the human spirit in the face of systemic oppression.
Homegoing
Yaa Gyasi
An epic novel tracing the descendants of two sisters from Ghana to America. Explores themes of family, heritage, and the lasting impact of historical trauma. While different in setting, it shares a similar depth of character development and exploration of personal journeys.
Ordinary Grace
William Kent Krueger
Another powerful novel by the same author, set in Minnesota during the 1960s. Explores themes of loss, innocence, and redemption through the eyes of a young boy. The story delves into family dynamics, community, and the profound impact of unexpected events. Like This Tender Land, it offers a deeply emotional narrative about childhood, trauma, and personal growth.
Where the Crawdads Sing
Delia Owens
A lyrical coming-of-age story set in the marshlands of North Carolina. Follows Kya Clark, an isolated young woman who grows up alone in the wilderness after being abandoned by her family. The novel explores themes of survival, resilience, and connection to nature, similar to the journey of the orphans in This Tender Land. Kya's struggle for belonging and her deep connection to her landscape mirror the emotional odyssey of Odie and his companions.
The Great Alone
Kristin Hannah
A story of survival and resilience set in the harsh Alaskan wilderness. Follows a family's struggle with mental illness and the challenges of isolation. Like This Tender Land, it explores themes of family, survival, and the transformative power of landscape and human connection.
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Mark Twain
A classic American novel about a young boy's journey down the Mississippi River, challenging societal norms and seeking freedom. Huck and Jim's adventure parallels the orphans' quest for independence and self-discovery. The novel explores themes of friendship, survival, and moral awakening against the backdrop of a richly described American landscape.
Peace Like a River
Leif Enger
A miraculous journey of a family across the American landscape, blending elements of adventure and spiritual exploration. Narrated by a young boy, the story follows a family's quest for justice and redemption. Like This Tender Land, it combines a coming-of-age narrative with a profound exploration of faith and human connection.
Esperanza Rising
Pam Muñoz Ryan
A powerful story of a young girl's resilience during the Great Depression, similar to the time period of This Tender Land. Esperanza is forced to leave her privileged life in Mexico and work as a migrant laborer in California. The novel explores themes of survival, hope, and personal transformation in the face of adversity.
The Orphan Train
Christina Baker Kline
A historical novel about orphans transported from the East Coast to the Midwest for adoption. Explores themes of displacement, identity, and survival. Similar to This Tender Land, it delves into the experiences of children navigating a challenging and often unforgiving world.
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
Sherman Alexie
A powerful novel about a Native American teenager navigating between two worlds. Similar to the themes in This Tender Land, it explores identity, survival, and the challenges faced by Native American children. The protagonist's journey of self-discovery and resilience resonates with the orphans' experiences.
The River
Peter Heller
An adventure novel about two friends on a canoe trip in northern Canada that turns into a fight for survival. Shares themes of journey, friendship, and confronting nature's challenges. The narrative explores human resilience and connection in a way reminiscent of This Tender Land.
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