Contrary to what one may assume about the inhabitants of West Michigan, Grand Rapidians are not a homogenous mass of folk bearing names straight from the Old Country.

Though some who have populated this side of the state may share a similar background, others come from different traditions just as rich. In the autobiographical stories found in Thin Ice: Coming of Age in Grand Rapids, editors Reinder Van Til and Gordon Olson seek to introduce the readers to the variety and similarity of young people no matter what ethnicity, social background, gender, or time period.

Olson became the Grand Rapids historian when the position was created during the bicentennial celebration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1976.

"The city commissioner felt like our history was too important to be left for celebratory events," Olson said.

The position of city historian was created and Olson filled the spot, staying there for more than 25 years.

Years later, Olson and his longtime friend Reinder Van Til were discussing possible book ideas. Both men are published authors and Van Til is an editor at Eerdman's Publishing Co.

"We discovered we both had a similar idea that it'd be cool to pull together things from different sources from people who had grown up in Grand Rapids," says Olson.

Half of the memoirs in Thin Ice were excerpted from previous publications.

"The more we talked, the more we thought they'd all fit together."

For the other half of the book, the pair solicited vignettes from contemporary writers.

Thin Ice begins with a young Potawatomi man in the 1830s who attended a mission school and discovered that he did not fully belong in the white society or with his own people.

The book also contains stories as recent as the 1960s and the 1980s including pieces by President Gerald Ford and the First Lady. For the event, contributing writers will read from their stories and community members will read excerpts from writers since deceased. Local writers John Otterbacher, Glen Peterson, Robert Vander Molen, Hank Meijer, Charles Honey, Tom Rademacher, Levi Rickert and Kay Longberg will be featured.

"[The stories] are on the one hand poignant and on the other hand very good reminisces; the book is of very different parts," Olson said.

Olson hopes Thin Ice will encourage people to think about experiences in their own lives.

"A really interesting thing to look at is in what ways the experiences of young people changed and what things are universal ... young people are going to go through the same kind of experience over time."

It is from this idea of the common experience of young people coming of age that produced the title for the compilation.

"It's not the easiest time in a person's life. Sometimes you're on thin ice and you know it and other times you don't know until later when you look back [you] were moving through treacherous or potentially dangerous times."

Other Literary Events

An Evening with Anna-Lisa Cox
Grand Rapids Public Library, Main Branch, grpl.org, (616) 988-5400
Aug. 23, 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Free!

While a senior at Hope College, Anna-Lisa Cox became fascinated with the town of Covert, Michigan. Covert was a town that decided to embrace equality long before the rest of the country did. To avoid problems, the community had to keep secrets from the rest of the area. Cox's senior thesis on this town led her to more research and to write her Michigan Notable Book award winner, A Stronger Kinship. Cox, now a Harvard Fellow, will read excerpts from her book and will discuss her publishing and research experience. There will be an opportunity for book signing after her discussion.

Book Discussion
Kent District Library, Wyoming Branch, kdl.org, (616) 784-2007
Aug. 17, 6:30–8 p.m., Free!

KDL's Wyoming branch will be holding an informal book discussion. This month's choice, Elegance of the Hedgehog, is by French author Muriel Barbery. This philosophical romp explores the lives of two very different people. Paloma, a 12-year-old girl, and concierge Madame Michel both live (and work) in the same apartment building. Both of them are hiding something from the world, but the new tenant, Monsieur Ozu, begins to break down their walls and makes them see their similarities.

Byron Days Used Book Sale
KDL Byron Township branch, kdl.org, (616) 784-2007
Aug. 2-7

It's time to make some space for new books. Kent District Library's Byron Township branch is holding its annual book sale. Books and movies for the whole family will be on sale, all for a great price.

Writers Support Group
Barnes & Noble, Battle Creek, barnesandnoble.com, (269) 979-8060
Aug. 26, 6:30 p.m., Free!

Brainstorm plot ideas, get feedback for problem areas, or just get inspired at this self-run writers group. Writers of all ages and levels are welcome and are encouraged to bring in copies of their work for feedback. Come swap tips for breaking writer's block, and enjoy an evening with other local writers.