Here’s one last book from the Canyon Readers’ selections from last year.
Enger, Leif, Peace Like a RiverJeremiah Land, a school janitor who harks back to the biblical Jeremiah in his absolute faith and trust in the Lord, is the midwestern father of three children. After provocation, his 16-year-old son, Davy, shoots two intruders. Reuben (Rube), the 11-year-old and narrator, a la Huck Finn, who also suffers from asthma, sees the unfolding of the events of this story through amazingly mature eyes. His father, who claims no great powers, obviously is responsible for "miracles." Precocious little sister, Swede, who writes western poetry, is the fourth of this strong, if unusual family. The family "inherits" an Airstream trailer and hits off to search for brother Davy who has escaped from jail. Their propitious meeting and extended stay with Roxanna turns out to feel like home. The strength and integrity of Jeremiah dominates this novel. He is torn between his love for Davy and his sense of right and wrong. A great first novel from the author.
