UP Notable Book Club: the Crystal Falls Community District Library in partnership with the U.P. Publishers & Authors Association (UPPAA) has scheduled author events with winners of the UP Notable Book List. The 6th event is with U.P. author Ann Dallman whose award-winning Cady and the Bear Necklace has the brought representation of middle-grade Native American characters to the fore in this adventure set in the U.P. The events are open to all U.P. residents free of charge.
When: Thursday, June 10th, 2021 at 7pm Eastern / 6pm Central
Where: on the Zoom platform — please contact Evelyn Gathu in advance by email: egathu@uproc.lib.mi.us, or by phone (906) 875-3344. We recommend you borrow a copy of these books from your local library or purchase from your local bookseller in advance to get the most out of these events.
ANN DALLMAN has lifelong roots in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and more than two decades of teaching experience. She likes to write about artists and mysteries and people of all ages who have overcome challenges. Ann earned a BS Journ. Ed. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an MA in Secondary Ed./Reading from Viterbo University..She started out as a newspaper reporter/photographer (her first love!) and returned to journalism after retiring from teaching. Ann loves delving into “the story behind the story” whether it be of persons, places or things. She continues to freelance for several publications while writing additional Middle Grade novels about her favorite character, 13-year-old Cady, and the challenges she faces–and overcomes–while solving mysteries
Cady, a 13-year-old girl of Native American heritage, has experienced big changes in the past year—her father’s marriage to a much younger woman, a new baby brother, and a move from Minnesota to Michigan where she is attending a reservation school for the first time in her life. One day at school Cady finds an eagle feather on the hallway floor and reports it to the principal. He thanks her for this act of honor and tells her that a mystery might soon appear in her life.
Not long after, Cady discovers an antique Indian beaded necklace hidden under the floor of her bedroom closet. She knows she’s found it for a reason but what is the reason? Is this the mystery the principal predicted might appear? She consults with the elders who tell her it is her “job” to find out why. In the process of solving this mystery Cady’s home life calms down and she draws closer to the teachings and traditions of her culture. Helping her are new friends Irish, John Ray Chicaug, and a crazy talking blue jay.
In addition to the honor of 2020 U.P. Notable Book, Cady and the Bear Necklace has garnered many awards including:
Historical Society of Michigan 2020 State History Award (Books: Children and Youth)- 2020 Midwest Book Award Winner: Young Adult Fiction category
- 2020 Next Generation Indie Book Award Finalist: Young Adult category
- 2020 New Mexico – Arizona Book Award Winner (Multicultural)
- 2020 SCBWI Members-for-Members Scholarship (Michigan)
- 2020 Readers Favorite 5-Star Review: Young Adult/Coming of Age category
More information about the U.P. Notable Book list, U.P. Book Review, and UPPAA can be found on www.UPNotable.com
About the Upper Peninsula Publishers and Authors Association (UPPAA)
Established in 1998 to support authors and publishers who live in or write about Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, UPPAA is a Michigan 501(c)6 nonprofit association with more than 100 members, many of whose books are featured on the organization’s website at www.uppaa.org. UPPAA welcomes membership and participation from anyone with a UP connection who is interested in writing.
