This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger

THIS TENDER LAND by William Kent Krueger (author of Ordinary Grace and Cork O’Connor mysteries) is a new work of historical fiction that received a starred review from Library Journal and was a LibraryReads selection for September.  In an author’s note Krueger says, “I’ve poured the best of myself into this story … [as a key character says] ‘open yourself to every possibility, for there is nothing your heart can imagine that is not so.’”  Set in Minnesota in the summer of 1932, Krueger’s novel deals with themes of social justice, survival, and belonging. THIS TENDER LAND tells the story of four orphans, “impish” Odie (the narrator) and his older brother, mechanically minded Albert, plus their very strong Sioux friend Mose/Amdacha and little Emmy whom they all try to protect. Together, the four take a canoe on the Gilead River towards the Mississippi in the hopes of eventually finding family in Saint Louis. Along the way, they encounter cruelty and kindness, sickness and hunger, as well as joy through friendship and music. Booklist also recommends THIS TENDER LAND, saying “teens will enjoy this historical crossover novel of adventure, and identify with its young protagonist.” My only concern is the length – 464 pages is too long for a required read and only the more motivated students will select it as an independent choice. Those who do will find that the characters are appealing and their travels and adventures certainly pull readers through the story. Adults and book groups, particularly those who liked Where the Crawdads Sing, should definitely consider this heartland tale, too. Highly recommended.

The Lager Queen of Minnesota by J. Ryan Stradal

THE LAGER QUEEN OF MINNESOTA is the latest novel by J. Ryan Stradal (Kitchens of the Great Midwest).  This one, too, is full of descriptions to tempt your palate and stimulate your appetite. The focus, though, is not food; it is on beer – lager, ale, IPA, Gose, stout, porter and so on.  There is enough detail about the many varieties that some readers might even benefit from this quick guide on the types of beer from Time magazine. Stradal also refers to some history and trends (e.g., light beers, micro-breweries, waves of consolidation and acquisitions) in the industry since the 1970s. But his biggest emphasis is on the diverging lives of two sisters, Edith and Helen.  Edith is the older, hard-working, and someone who “looked at money like a motorcycle driver looks at asphalt. The more of it you see, the farther you can go, but a single mistake with it can finish you.” Helen’s one passion in life is to brew beer and she causes a decades long rift by using the sale of the family farm to fund her brewery launch.  While certainly a relatively quick and entertaining read, THE LAGER QUEEN OF MINNESOTA could also be used by our Junior Theme researchers and tied to economic themes (e.g., transitions for Midwest companies like Old Style, Schlitz, Hamm’s and Stroh’s; or difficulties of being an entrepreneur – especially a female one; or even the sense of identity which one’s work provides).  Alternatively, students could use this title as a springboard to look at family relationships like sibling rivalry or intergenerational responsibilities due to the large role played by Diana (Edith’s granddaughter) in this story. THE LAGER QUEEN OF MINNESOTA is a LibraryReads selection for July and it received starred reviews from both Booklist and Kirkus. Enjoy!