The 56th event is with U.P. author Sue Harrison, whose novels have sold more than two million copies and have been published in more than 25 countries and in 13 languages. Her first novel, “Mother Earth Father Sky,” was a Publishers Weekly national bestseller, an Amazon No. 1 bestseller and was selected as an American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults.

U.P. Notable Books will honor Harrison’s latest book, “Rescuing Crash,” a charming story about a sixth-grade girl in the Soo with a shattered family and how a rescued pooch helps heal the rifts. Not just for middle graders, the novel contains life lessons that everyone in the family can grasp.

The event will be at 6 p.m. Thursday via Zoom. To attend, contact librarian Evelyn Gathu in advance at egathu@crystalfallslibrary.org or call 906-875-3344. They recommend borrowing a copy of these books from the local library or purchasing them from a local bookseller in advance to get the most out of these events.

Harrison was raised in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and lives in Pickford with her husband, Neil, a retired high school principal. A graduate of Pickford High School and Lake Superior State University, Harrison was named an LSSU Distinguished Alumna and served eight years on the university’s Board of Regents. She was an adjunct instructor of creative writing and advanced creative writing and worked in the public relations department as the university writer and acting department head.

The cover of “Rescuing Crash” by Sue Harrison.

She has written six novels set in ancient Alaska. Her other novels include “Sisu, a National Advanced Readers Book,” and “The Midwife’s Touch,” which was selected as a semifinalist in the 2023 Society of Midland Authors’ national literary awards adult fiction competition. It was also an Amazon top 10 bestseller and named a 2024 Upper Peninsula Notable Book. In 2023, she was inducted into the Upper Peninsula Literary Hall of Fame.

Deborah K. Frontiera’s review of the book states:

“In ‘Rescuing Crash, The Good Dog,’ 11-year-old Britta had life smack her in the face. Her mother has left the family to chase her own dreams. Dad is trying his best, but it’s not good enough. He’s your normal guy, floundering without his wife. In the opening scenes, it appears Britta is the ‘adult’ in the home.

“Written in first person from Britta’s point of view, she sums up chapter one this way: ‘If you met my dad, in a day or two, you might not remember him. If you met my mom, you’d want to be with her all the time.’

“The action and emotion in this middle-grade novel hit from the first page.

“Breakfast is chaotic; Britta’s making a grocery list; Dad is late for work. Plus, it’s Britta’s birthday. Her father hasn’t forgotten that, but he delivers in a way Britta did not expect — or want. The characters and their feelings aren’t just ‘shown,” they are blasted at the reader in a very real way.

“As a reader, I took my time soaking up the first half of ‘Rescuing Crash, The Good Dog.’ I wanted to savor the author’s use of language. I also laughed at Crash’s disasters (he was well named), and I cried with Britta at the thought of losing him. Then, I couldn’t put the book down, and didn’t until I had finished the second half in one evening, going to bed rather late.

“If this old grandma can become immersed in the story and characters, remembering her own childhood pet, so will middle-grade kids identify with Britta. Parents, grandparents, and all who work with middle-grade kids shouldn’t leave themselves out. They might learn something about relating to kids today.”

You can read Frontiera’s entire review at U.P. Book Review, https://www.upbookreview.com/.

More information about the U.P. Notable Book list, U.P. Book Review, and UPPAA can be found on www.UPNotable.com

Established in 1998 to support authors and publishers who live in or write about Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, UPPAA is a Michigan 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.