Peace Like a River

Occasionally, we come upon a book in our extensive library that demands to be read aloud. One such piece is Peace Like a River, Leif Enger's debut. His very vivid book tells the tale of Reuben Land, an 11-year-old with asthma, and his unconventional family's trek across the Dakotas' frigid Badlands to find his missing elder brother. Davy, aware that the odds are stacked against him, has left after being accused of killing two locals who harassed their family. However, Reuben flees with his father, Jeremiah, who is so deeply religious that he has been known to work miracles, and Reuben's little sister, Swede, close following.

Enthralling and vibrant, Peace Like a River is both a love story, a tragedy, and an unrelenting investigation into the spirituality and magic that exist in both the here and now and the world that awaits us beyond death. We see a wonderful celebration of family, religion, and spirit in Enger's outstanding first work—something we haven't seen in a very long time—as well as the beginning of a timeless piece of writing.