2023–24 Great Michigan Read

Eighteen-year-old Daunis Fontaine has never quite fit in, both in her hometown and on the nearby Ojibwe reservation. She dreams of a fresh start at college, but when family tragedy strikes, Daunis puts her future on hold to look after her fragile mother. The only bright spot is meeting Jamie, the charming new recruit on her brother Levi’s hockey team.

Yet even as Daunis falls for Jamie, she senses the dashing hockey star is hiding something. Everything comes to light when Daunis witnesses a shocking murder, thrusting her into an FBI investigation of a lethal new drug.

Reluctantly, Daunis agrees to go undercover, drawing on her knowledge of chemistry and Ojibwe traditional medicine to track down the source. But the search for truth is more complicated than Daunis imagined, exposing secrets and old scars. At the same time, she grows concerned with an investigation that seems more focused on punishing the offenders than protecting the victims.

Now, as the deceptions—and deaths—keep growing, Daunis must learn what it means to be a strong Anishinaabe kwe (Ojibwe woman) and how far she’ll go for her community, even if it tears apart the only world she’s ever known.

Angeline Boulley
Author

Angeline Boulley, an enrolled member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, is a storyteller who writes about her Ojibwe community in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. She is a former Director of the Office of Indian Education at the U.S. Department of Education. Angeline lives in southwest Michigan, but her home will always be on Sugar Island. Firekeeper’s Daughter is her debut novel.

Spring 2024 Author Tour Events

Spring 2024 Tour Dates

All events are free and open to the public.

  • Saturday, April 13, 2024, 7:00PM—hosted by Public Libraries of Saginaw at the Pit & Balcony Theater
  • Tuesday, April 16, 2024, 6:30PM—hosted by the Portage District Library at the Portage Senior Center; register for this event here.
  • Monday, April 22, 2024, 6:00PM—hosted by St. Ignace Public Library
  • Thursday, April 25, 2024, 12:00PM (Central Time)—hosted by Ironwood Carnegie Library, Wakefield Library, and Gogebic Community College at Gogebic Community College’s Lindquist Center
  • Friday, April 26, 2024, 6:00PM—hosted by the Portage Lake District Library, Houghton

Michigan Humanities’ Great Michigan Read creates a statewide discussion around a Michigan themed book. Through partnerships with libraries, schools, book clubs, and a wide range of other non-profit organizations, the Great Michigan Read facilitates statewide reading and programs to bridge communities around a common conversation.

Contact

If you have questions or would like to discuss a
potential project, please contact Katie Wittenauer
at kwittenauer@mihumanities.org.

Want to learn more about the Great Michigan Read Program?

Watch the pre-recorded video to learn more.

Apply to be a Partner

Schools, libraries, independent book clubs, colleges, universities, arts and cultural institutions, and a range of other non-profits and organizations are invited to become Great Michigan Read partners.

Registering as a Great Michigan Read partner can be completed using these steps:

    1. Login or create a new user account on the Michigan Humanities grant and program portal, located here
    2. Visit the Great Michigan Read Partner Registration Form, and fill out the required details.
    3. You will receive an automated “registration received” email after you have submitted the form.

Michigan Humanities has distributed all available print copies of Firekeeper’s Daughter to partners across the state.

New partners are encouraged to register to receive reader’s guides, teacher’s guides, and promotional materials. Free audiobook and E-book access will be available April 12 through May 10 at ReadMichigan.org.

 

Funding for Partners

ALL GREAT MICHIGAN READ ACTION GRANT FUNDING HAS BEEN EXPENDED.

Great Michigan Read Action Grants of up to $750 are available to support Great Michigan Read programming and are awarded to registered Great Michigan Read partners. To be eligible, projects must occur in the following timeframe: October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024.

These grants are non-matching and can be used for the following purposes:

  • Materials: The purchase/rental of supplementary resources that complement the Great Michigan Read title, including books, films, traveling exhibits, and other educational opportunities.
  • Guest speakers and venue rental: Honoraria and/or travel expenses for guest speakers, performers, and/or workshop leaders for Great Michigan Read events, discussions, and lectures.
  • Food, transportation, and promotional expenses: Expenses in these categories may be included, but should not be the primary emphasis of your Great Michigan Read Action Grant application.

 

 

Great Michigan Read Sponsors

The 2023-24 Great Michigan Read is presented by Michigan Humanities and supported by national, statewide, and local partners, including: