The story, set in 1932, is told through the eyes of Odie, a twelve-year-old orphan. He and his older brother, Albert, are the only two white boys attending a residential school for Native Americans in Minnesota (Lincoln Indian Training School). Training at this school was a euphemism for unreasonable labor expectations. The school was set up to destroy the morale and lives of natives and all the students experience multiple forms of abuse. Odie and Albert commit a crime at the school and rather than face more abuse, they escape in a canoe. Another teenager, a Sioux Indian, whose tongue has been literally cut out escapes with them as well as a young girl who was recently orphaned when her mother died in a tornado.
The four vagabonds are headed from the Gilead to the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers with the hope of reaching St. Louis, where a relative lives. The story is very engaging and focuses on the relationship of the four children and the people they meet along the rivers—their escapades are adventurous and dangerous yet sentimental and touching as the characters are developed. Their encounters are based on circumstances and issues of the USA in 1932: The Depression, Christian tent revivals, Hooverville shantytowns, Prohibition and the prevalence of guns in rural America.
Odie’s personal development is central to the story and his understandings are broadened each time the group faces danger. Although the boys’ vulnerability is great while traveling, they are also continually worried about being recognized as the kidnappers of Emmy, the girl who is traveling with them. Of course, Odie’s name is short for Odysseus. His symbolic long journey leads to his wondering about the meaning of life, the existence of God, the treatment of Native Americans, and other social inequities. He is coming of age and struggling with his belief system with lots of soul-searching about family, friendship, and especially forgiveness. There is lots of symbolism in the story since the rivers that the children are navigating are symbolic of the journey of life and growth throughout time. The Sioux who has no tongue allows the author to show without preaching how Natives have been silenced. The youngsters learn much about how the land along the riverbanks is being used and abused. The story is rich and easy to read. The ending is not very predictable, but very satisfying.
