Welcome to the Yooper Heroes Series! A unique set of illustrated history books written especially for middle-grade readers (grades 4 through 6), but accessible to adult audiences as well. The Yooper Heroes bring to life both well-known figures in the history of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and unsung heroes who have shaped the culture and community.
Illustrations of portraits, maps, and actual and reconstructed historical scenes by award-winning artists Joanna Walitalo and Bruce “Buck” Denomie engage a generation accustomed to visual learning and help readers retain the messages of the text.
Each book includes educational aids for instructional use, including
- “About the Same Time in History”: brings to light contemporaneous significant events which help ground the action in the chapter with the wider tides of American history, such as discoveries, “firsts”, and geopolitical events.
- “Discussion Questions”: brings an opportunity for reflection on the context of historical events vis-à-vis the student’s lived experience. This cements a deeper understanding of issues at hand
- “Activities for Students”: includes both writing projects and class discussion opportunities.
Educators can write to us to obtain complimentary copies of any of the Yooper Heroes series books:
- Douglass Houghton: Michigan’s Pioneer Geologist, Doctor, and Teacher by Deborah K. Frontiera
- Charley Kawbawgam: Ojibwa Chief and Lake Superior Pioneer by Tyler R. Tichelaar 🆕
- Peter White: The Pioneer Who Helped Build Marquette by Tyler R. Tichelaar [Coming Soon!]
- Extraordinary Women of the Upper Peninsula by Jennifer McGraw [Coming Soon!]
Each book is available in multiple editions: paperback, hardcover, eBook, and audiobook
