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U.P. Reader -- Volume #8: Bringing Upper Michigan Literature to the World

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Michigan's Upper Peninsula is blessed with a treasure trove of storytellers, poets, and historians, all seeking to capture a sense of Yooper Life from settler's days to the far-flung future. Since 2017, the U.P. Reader has offered a rich collection of their voices that embraces the U.P.'s natural beauty and way of life, along with a few surprises.

The sixty-plus short works in this 8th annual volume take readers on U.P. road and boat trips from the Keweenaw to the Soo and from St. Ignace to Escanaba. Every page is rich with descriptions of the characters and culture that make the Upper Peninsula worth living in and writing about. U.P. writers span genres from humor to history and from science fiction to poetry. This issue also includes imaginative fiction from the Dandelion Cottage Short Story Award winners, honoring the amazing young writers enrolled in all of the U.P.'s schools.

Featuring the words of John Adamcik, Nancy Besonen, Miina Chopp, Tom Conlan, Nina L. Craig, Art Curtis, Adam Dompierre, Julie Dickerson, Rosemary Gegare, J.L. Hagen, Mack Hassler, Richard Hill, Skye Isaacson, Kathleen Carlton Johnson, Leah Johnson, Larry Jorgensen, Rick Kent, Tamara Lauder, Ellen Lord, Raymond Luczak, Gregory M. Lusk, Beverly Matherne, Maria Vezzetti Matson, Becky Ross Michael, R.H. Miller, Hilton Moore, Mark Nelson, Eve Noble, Alex Noel, M. Kelly Peach, Jodi Perras, Isla Peterson, Jane Piirto, T. Kilgore Splake, Bill Sproule, David Swindell, Ninie Gaspariani Syarikin, Brandy Thomas, Edd Tury, Tyler R. Tichelaar, Analise VerBerkmoes, and Victor R. Volkman.

"Funny, wise, or speculative, the essays, memoirs, and poems found in the pages of these profusely illustrated annuals are windows to the history, soul, and spirit of both the exceptional land and people found in Michigan's remarkable U.P. If you seek some great writing about the northernmost of the state's two peninsulas look around for copies of the U.P. Reader. --Tom Powers, Michigan in Books

"U.P. Reader offers a wonderful mix of storytelling, poetry, and Yooper culture. Here's to many future volumes!" --Sonny Longtine, author of Murder in Michigan's Upper Peninsula

"As readers embark upon this storied landscape, they learn that the people of Michigan's Upper Peninsula offer a unique voice, a tribute to a timeless place too long silent." --Sue Harrison, international bestselling author of Mother Earth Father Sky

The U.P. Reader is sponsored by the Upper Peninsula Publishers and Authors Association (UPPAA) a non-profit corporation. A portion of proceeds from each copy sold will be donated to the UPPAA for its educational programming.

445 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 5, 2024

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Mikel B. Classen

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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
Profile Image for Carolyn Wilhelm.
Author 16 books47 followers
April 15, 2024
An entertaining variety show in a book!

Even polyfluoroalkyl substances make for an absorbing read when included in the eighth U. P. Reader. Yes! The writing pieces vary and are labeled fiction, nonfiction, or poetry. I did have to go back and check if an amazing story was fiction or not.

The historical fiction and article writing spans decades and would be selections for senior group discussions. The heyday of trains is contrasted with their situation after automobiles became accessible. Did you know girls were not permitted to ski jump several decades ago? Several stories mentioned the fewer rights of women not so long ago. Walking to and from school, home for lunch, then back to school also meant no recess. Discussions about who was a better singer, Pat Boone or Elvis Presley? Find out why it was such a debate in one story. Vietnam, the draft, births, deaths, relatives, college decisions, and life in general also make for engrossing reading. The Young Authors section has impressive writing and is equally fascinating.
Profile Image for Sue Harrison.
Author 31 books291 followers
July 4, 2024
A wonderful showcase of poetry, fiction, and non-fiction from more than 50 writers who were and are inspired by their love of Michigan's remote Upper Peninsula. As an addition to the joy, this anthology includes six stories by U.P. high school and junior high students--winners of the 7th Annual Dandelion Cottage Contest. Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews

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