Hennepin County Library Shared Plymouth READS 2021

Press release from the Hennepin County Library:

February 8, 2021

Plymouth READS has announced its 2021 book selection: “This Tender Land” by William Kent Krueger.

With the feel of a modern classic, “This Tender Land” is an action-packed, engaging tale, and a welcome salve for our times.

In the midst of the Great Depression, the Lincoln Indian Training School, in Southwest Minnesota, is a pitiless place where American Indian children, forcibly separated from their parents, are sent to be assimilated. It is also home to harmonica-playing Odie O’Banion, a lively orphan boy whose exploits constantly earn him the superintendent’s wrath.

After a particularly harrowing incident, Odie and his brother Albert are forced to flee for their lives along with their best friend Mose, a mute young Native American. They also take with them a brokenhearted little girl named Emmy, who has visions of the future. Together, they steal away in a canoe, heading for the mighty Mississippi in search of a place to call home.

Read the 2021 Plymouth READS book selection, “This Tender Land” by William Kent Krueger, then meet the author for the grand finale of this year's events. There will be time for questions at the author event.

In its 12th year, Plymouth READS seeks to spark conversation, build community and foster learning and discovery in Plymouth by rallying readers around a single book.

Copies of “This Tender Land” are available at the Plymouth Library, 15700 36th Ave N.

Online events

Related events take place throughout March and April, exploring the themes of the book and bringing community members together. All events take place online.

Linda LeGarde Grover on Native American Boarding Schools

LeGarde Grover, Professor of American Indian Studies at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, and a member of the Bois Forte Band of Ojibwe, will give a presentation on her research into Native American Boarding Schools, and the interplay with her novels and stories. Thursday, March 4, 7 p.m. Register today.

Campfire Play and Sing-A-Long Video Premiere

World premiere of a music video based on songs from This Tender Land. Enjoy, and play along, on harmonica or instrument of your choice, to the musical stylings of the Plymouth READS Ramblers, as they present traditional songs featured in this year's book selection “This Tender Land.” Tuesday, March 16, 7 p.m. Register today.

A limited supply of harmonicas and user instructions will be available at Plymouth Library. Download instructions: Harmonica basics and songs.

Author William Kent Krueger

Read the 2021 Plymouth READS book selection, “This Tender Land” by William Kent Krueger, then meet the author online for the grand finale of this year's events. Time for Q&A. Thursday, April 15, 7 p.m. Register today.

This press release was produced by the Hennepin County Library. The views expressed here are the author’s own.