Tom Powers / Michigan in Books Review of U.P. Reader #4

Review by Tom Powers, Michigan in Books

U. P. Reader, 4th Volume
Mikel B.Classen, editor

U.P. Reader Volume #4 released April 2020

This fourth annual showcase of the best short works by U. P. writers once again entertains, enlightens, and most importantly raises the awareness of the literary talent to be found north of Big Mac. The 45 pieces included here include U.P. history, poetry, short stories, reportage, humor, biographical essays, a U.P. notable booklist, and section of award-winning essays by young people.

I was delighted to see Larry Buege has once again climbed aboard his literary hobby horse and describes a homeowner’s confrontation with an infestation of the Amorous Spotted Slug (A.S.S.). Larry has been writing about A.S.S. in earlier U. P. Readers in a noble but fruitless effort to make these gastropod mollusks Michigan’s state slug. I would also like to encourage Buege to write about the whale sightings in Lake Superior and take up the equally important cause of naming a Michigan state whale.

There is a transcript of a talk by Karen Dionne, author of the “Marsh King’s Daughter,” in which she recounts her journey from being a moderately successful author of two environmental thrillers to the wildly popular author of the above book. Her talk also gives tips to would-be novelists and what she learned about writing that led to being a bestselling author. The Whiteout by Rich Hill tells the dramatic story of his friend Allen who went ice fishing on the great lake and couldn’t find his way to shore when a whiteout struck and died.

A most unexpected and fascinating piece by Deborah K. Frontiera tells the story of the formation of U. P. sandstone, most of which is told from the stone’s point of view. Over the course of a million years and tons of pressure, the deposited sand became sandstone. In the 1800s it was mined and shipped to Calumet where the stone was used to build St. Anne’s church. The sandstone has seen the church sold and turned into an antique shop. A few years later the building was bought with donations and with a state grant was beautifully restored and became the Keweenaw Heritage Center. Other works describe shipwrecks and heroic rescues, a tribute to a father, the descent of a mother into dementia, and the story of a U.P. deer camp.

There is a lot to enjoy in this fine collection of short works by a surprising abundance of very good writers found north of the Straits of Mackinac.

U.P. Reader: Bringing Upper Michigan Literature to the World, 4th Volume, Mikel B Classen editor. Upper Peninsula Publishers and Authors Association, 2020, $16.95 pb.

Read Michigan In Books blog

Welcome to our combined storefront! This catalog serves all of our diverse imprints including:

Chappie's Tale [PB]
Chappie's Tale [PB]
Chappie's Tale [PB]
The Real Story of Our Funny Ferret
$18.95
The Coca-Cola Trail [PB]
The Coca-Cola Trail [PB]
The Coca-Cola Trail [PB]
People and Places in the History of Coca-Cola
$26.95
Lumberjack [PB]  -- RESALE ONLY
Lumberjack [PB] -- RESALE ONLY
Lumberjack [PB] -- RESALE ONLY
Inside an Era in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan - 70th Anniversary Edition
$21.95
Make It Go in the Snow [HC] -- RESALE ONLY
Make It Go in the Snow [HC] -- RESALE ONLY
Make It Go in the Snow [HC] -- RESALE ONLY
People and Ideas in the History of Snowmobile
$37.95
Make It Go in the Snow [HC]
Make It Go in the Snow [HC]
Make It Go in the Snow [HC]
People and Ideas in the History of Snowmobile
$37.95
Make It Go in the Snow [PB] -- RESALE ONLY
Make It Go in the Snow [PB] -- RESALE ONLY
Make It Go in the Snow [PB] -- RESALE ONLY
People and Ideas in the History of Snowmobile
$21.95
Make It Go in the Snow [PB]
Make It Go in the Snow [PB]
Make It Go in the Snow [PB]
People and Ideas in the History of Snowmobile
$21.95
Old Victoria [PB]
Old Victoria [PB]
Old Victoria [PB]
A Copper Mining Ghost Town in Ontonagon County Michigan
$14.95
On Sale
Off the Hook Too! [PB}
Off the Hook Too! [PB}
Off the Hook Too! [PB}
Off-Beat Reporter's Tales from Michigan's Upper Peninsula (U.P.)
was $21.95
Save $2.00
$19.95
Yooper Poetry [HC]
Yooper Poetry [HC]
Yooper Poetry [HC]
On Experiencing Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
$29.95
U.P.
Relative Sanity [HC]
Relative Sanity [HC]
Relative Sanity [HC]
Poems
was $28.95
Save $2.00
$26.95
NEW!
U.P. Reader -- Volume #8 [HC]
U.P. Reader -- Volume #8 [HC]
U.P. Reader -- Volume #8 [HC]
: Bringing Upper Michigan Literature to the World
$34.95
NEW!
U.P. Reader -- Volume #8 [PB]
U.P. Reader -- Volume #8 [PB]
U.P. Reader -- Volume #8 [PB]
: Bringing Upper Michigan Literature to the World
$19.95
Lumberjack
Lumberjack
Lumberjack
Inside an Era in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan - 70th Anniversary Edition
$21.95
On Sale
The Last Huck [PB]
The Last Huck [PB]
The Last Huck [PB]
A Novel
was $21.95
Save $2.00
$19.95
The Main Line Mutt [HC]
The Main Line Mutt [HC]
The Main Line Mutt [HC]
Maggie Dog Learns Her True Worth
$28.95
Narcisso-Fascism
Narcisso-Fascism
Narcisso-Fascism
The Psychopathology of Right-Wing Extremism
$25.95
The SideRoad Kids - Book 2
The SideRoad Kids - Book 2
The SideRoad Kids - Book 2
A Summer of Discovery
$19.95
Roadkill Justice
Roadkill Justice
Roadkill Justice
Featuring Yooper Woodswoman Nettie Bramble
$19.95
Luck or Miracle
Luck or Miracle
Luck or Miracle
A World War II POW's Survival Story
$19.95
The Alexandria Code
The Alexandria Code
The Alexandria Code
An Isabella Carter Adventure
$21.95
Please Explain Divorce to Me!
Please Explain Divorce to Me!
Please Explain Divorce to Me!
Because My Parents Are Breaking Up
$17.95
The Main Line Mutt [PB]
The Main Line Mutt [PB]
The Main Line Mutt [PB]
Maggie Dog Learns Her True Worth
$16.95
The Healing Power of Running
The Healing Power of Running
The Healing Power of Running
A Guide to Healing the Body, Mind, and Spirit
$15.95
Katana Gets a Family
Katana Gets a Family
Katana Gets a Family
Lessons of a Labradoodle
$15.95
Yooper Poetry [PB]
Yooper Poetry [PB]
Yooper Poetry [PB]
On Experiencing Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
$19.95
On Sale
Off the Hook [PB}
Off the Hook [PB}
Off the Hook [PB}
Off-Beat Reporter's Tales from Michigan's Upper Peninsula (U.P.)
was $21.95
Save $2.00
$19.95
The SideRoad Columnist [PB]
The SideRoad Columnist [PB]
The SideRoad Columnist [PB]
Observations from an Upper Michigan Author
$0.00
The Perfect Gift
The Perfect Gift
The Perfect Gift
Color My World Perfect
$17.95
Points North [PB] -- RESALE ONLY
Points North [PB] -- RESALE ONLY
Points North [PB] -- RESALE ONLY
Discover Hidden Campgrounds, Natural Wonders, and Waterways of the Upper Peninsula
$27.95
Yooper Ale Trails [Hardcover] -- RESALE ONLY
Yooper Ale Trails [Hardcover] -- RESALE ONLY
Yooper Ale Trails [Hardcover] -- RESALE ONLY
Craft Breweries and Brewpubs of Michigan's Upper Peninsula
$39.95
Yooper Ale Trails [HC]
Yooper Ale Trails [HC]
Yooper Ale Trails [HC]
Craft Breweries and Brewpubs of Michigan's Upper Peninsula
$39.95
Yooper Ale Trails [Paperback]  -- RESALE ONLY
Yooper Ale Trails [Paperback] -- RESALE ONLY
Yooper Ale Trails [Paperback] -- RESALE ONLY
Craft Breweries and Brewpubs of Michigan's Upper Peninsula
$24.95
Yooper Ale Trails [PB]
Yooper Ale Trails [PB]
Yooper Ale Trails [PB]
Craft Breweries and Brewpubs of Michigan's Upper Peninsula
$24.95
U.P. Reader -- Volume #7 [HC]
U.P. Reader -- Volume #7 [HC]
U.P. Reader -- Volume #7 [HC]
Bringing Upper Michigan Literature to the World
$34.95
U.P. Reader -- Volume #7 [PB]
U.P. Reader -- Volume #7 [PB]
U.P. Reader -- Volume #7 [PB]
: Bringing Upper Michigan Literature to the World
$19.95
SAVE!
Frugal Editor 3rd + Writing for Bliss
Frugal Editor 3rd + Writing for Bliss
Frugal Editor 3rd + Writing for Bliss
Two great books, one low price
was $48.95
Save $14.00
$34.95
I'm Mixed and I'm Me
I'm Mixed and I'm Me
I'm Mixed and I'm Me
A Celebration of Multiracial and Multicultural Identity
$14.95
Up Bow, Down Bow [PB]
Up Bow, Down Bow [PB]
Up Bow, Down Bow [PB]
A Child with Down Syndrome and His Journey to Master the Cello
$23.95
North of Nelson - Volume 1
North of Nelson - Volume 1
North of Nelson - Volume 1
Stories of Michigan's Upper Peninsula - Volume 1
$14.95
View from the SideRoad
View from the SideRoad
View from the SideRoad
A Collection of Upper Peninsula Stories
$16.95
What Happened to Chester? [PB]
What Happened to Chester? [PB]
What Happened to Chester? [PB]
An En-deer-ing Tale of Hope and Healing
$15.95
Practicing Mindfulness
Practicing Mindfulness
Practicing Mindfulness
Emma Lou the Yorkie Poo's Activity and Coloring Book for Kids
$13.95
3rd Ed
The Frugal Editor, 3rd [PB]
The Frugal Editor, 3rd [PB]
The Frugal Editor, 3rd [PB]
Do-It-Yourself Editing Secrets-From Your Query Letters to Final Manuscript to the Marketing of Your New Bestseller
$22.95
Beachcombers [PB]
Beachcombers [PB]
Beachcombers [PB]
A Clementine the Rescue Dog Adventure
$17.95
Coats of Arms [PB]
Coats of Arms [PB]
Coats of Arms [PB]
An Introduction to The Science and Art of Heraldry
$21.95
1 - 60 of 336 items

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.