SKU: 48756861990

Thin Ice: Coming of Age in Grand Rapids

Sale price$32.12 Regular price$35.69
Save 10%

Pay in installments of $8.92 with ShopPay, AfterPay and Klarna

Shipping Estimate
USA
  • USA
  • CAN

Ships within 48 hours · Estimated delivery Aug 3 - Aug 8

Promo Codes Available:

For Your Every Summer RSVP, with Code: SUMMER15

Description

Thin Ice: Coming of Age in Grand RapidsDESCRIPTION This unique volume contains twenty eight fascinating life stories of people many of whom went on to become famous who grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The coming of age stories in Thin Ice relate a range of experiences both good and bad, including happy memories and heartwarming recollections but also personal traumas, intergenerational and racial conflicts, the strictures of religious belief and practice, the joys and sorrows of young

DESCRIPTION
This unique volume contains twenty-eight fascinating life stories of people -- many of whom went on to become famous -- who grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The coming-of-age stories in Thin Ice relate a range of experiences both good and bad, including happy memories and heartwarming recollections but also personal traumas, intergenerational and racial conflicts, the strictures of religious belief and practice, the joys and sorrows of young romance, and more. Above and beyond the stories of the more notable personalities -- Jim Harrison, Roger Wilkins, John Hockenberry, President Gerald Ford, Betty Ford, Al Green, Paul Schrader, William Brashler -- the book as a whole is chock-full of crisp, humorous, irreverent, and moving writing.

Reinder Van Til and Gordon Olson have excerpted half of the pieces from previous publications, while they directly solicited the other half from active writers specifically for this book. The earliest stories go back to the 1830s and 1850s, and the most recent are a cluster of contemporary pieces that describe coming of age in the Grand Rapids of the 1960s through the 1980s. Together they paint a multifaceted, impressionistic portrait of a century and a half in the fair city of Grand Rapids, Michigan.

All in all, Thin Ice is a nostalgic treasure for any Grand Rapidian and literary treasure for e v e r y one.

Contributors
Albert Baxter
Charles E. Belknap
A. J. Muste
Arnold Gingrich
David Cornel DeJong
Gerald R. Ford
Betty Ford
Edward V. Gillis
John Thompson
Roger Wilkins
Jim Harrison
Glen Peterson
Max Apple
John Otterbacher
Reinder Van Til
Al Green
Paul Schrader
Robert VanderMolen
William Brashler
Sheri Venema
Hank Meijer
Charles Honey
Tom Rademacher
Levi Rickert
John Hockenberry
Laura Kasischke
Kaye Longberg
Bich Minh Nguyen

Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
Published: 05/01/2006
ISBN: 9780802824783
Pages: 388
Weight: 1.25lbs
Size: 8.98h x 6.07w x 1.10d
Shipping Notes
  • Free Standard Shipping on $100+ Orders to the USA.
  • Except Preorder products are shipped in 48 hours.
  • Delivery to the USA:
  1. Standard Shipping : 3-10 business days
  • If time is of the essence, please consider selecting expedited delivery for faster service.
Exchange/Return Notes
  • We offer a 30-day return/exchange service after receiving.
  • Final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.
  • To process your return/exchange, please contact us at [email protected]
  • Please click here for more details>>> Return & Exchange Policy
SKU: 48756861990

Discover Niche Categories That Outsell

Top-Converting Item to Boost Your Average Order

4.7 ★★★★★
Based on 19 reviews
Sort
Highest Rating
Newest First
Oldest First
Product Reviews
A
Alexandria Knox
Lexington, US
★★★★★ 4
Solid Kids Sandals, Overpriced Like Most Kids Shoes 🌞
Size: 11 Little Kid, Color: Brown, Size: 11 Little Kid, Color: Brown
My son hasn’t worn these yet since it’s December in Indiana and sandals + snow obviously don’t mix. 😂 So this review is based on first impressions rather than long term wear. That said, these seem wider than a lot of typical kids’ sandals, which I REALLY appreciate since we tend to have wider feet in our family. #hobbitfeet The quality feels pretty decent overall. They’re described as lightweight, and while they’re not insanely lightweight, they do have enough weight to feel semi-sturdy and not flimsy or cheap. I like the style and color, and I think they’ll work well for my son once warmer weather hits. My main complaint is the price. At just under $24 at the time of this review, it feels a little high for kids’ sandals and for what these are. I really feel like $20 MAX would make more sense. Kids shoes are almost always priced like adult shoes, even though they clearly use less material, and that’s hard for me to understand and wrap my mind around. Overall, these seem solid for daily wear, I just wish the price was a bit more reasonable and affordable.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2025
J
Job
Lake Worth, US
★★★★★ 5
Great basic and timeless design
Size: 12 Little Kid, Color: Brown
These sandals are a great find! They’re super easy to get on and off thanks to the Velcro straps, which is a huge win for little ones learning to be more independent. The fit is adjustable and secure, so they stay in place well during all kinds of play. The cork-style footbed is comfortable and gives good support, and the overall design feels sturdy enough to handle everyday wear. They’re lightweight but still durable, and have held up really well so far. They also have a classic, versatile look that goes with just about everything, perfect for summer outfits. Overall, a reliable, comfortable sandal that’s great for active kids. Would definitely buy again!
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2026
N
Nicole
San Leandro, US
★★★★★ 5
Great option for boys or girls
Size: 13 Little Kid, Color: Black, Size: 13 Little Kid, Color: Black
This is really more of a unisex option for a sandal. I have sandals that look like this, and both of my children have worn this style. I ordered these for my daughter, with the plan to pass them down to my son if they're not too worn when she outgrows them. The style is very minimalistic, so it goes with lots of outfits. All the straps are easily adjustable, so you can get a good fit. I would say the length is true to size, but the width is maybe a bit wide. Nevertheless, the adjustable straps really help them fit well. They feel really sturdy and I appreciate that the sole has cushion to it. My daughter has worn these every day since I got them out of the closet and they're holding up well.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2026
K
Verified Purchase
Kylat
Los Angeles, US
★★★★★ 5
Fast shipping
Size: 5 Big Kid, Color: Black
Good sandals, the kid just didn't want them. Fast shipping and easy returns!
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2026
R
Verified Purchase
Ryan
Lake Worth, US
★★★★★ 5
Great shoes
Size: 6 Toddler, Color: Brown
Perfect for little ones
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2026

recommand products