The Water Walker is the story of a determined Ojibwe grandmother, a “nokomis” named Josephine Mandamin, who walks to raise awareness of the need to protect “nibi” (water). Robertson wrote and illustrated the book, which was published in 2017.

Published in 2020, Sally Cole-Misch’s award-winning novel The Best Part of Us explores a family’s connections to an island in the Canadian waters of an inland lake just north of Lake Huron, and how those ties are tested through nature and family dynamics.

“It’s terrific to have two authors whose knowledge and commitment to the Great Lakes is demonstrated so beautifully in their insightful and engaging books for the inaugural year of our region-wide Great Lakes Great Read,” said Inger Schultz, president and co-founder of the Library of the Great Lakes. “The Library of the Great Lakes looks forward to partnering with libraries, schools and organizations throughout the Great Lakes for GLGR 2024-25.”

Great Lakes Great Read partner Laura Sauser of the Wisconsin Library Association said, “All Wisconsinites are encouraged to read these titles, and we also hope to be a catalyst for libraries throughout the upper Midwestern states and Canadian provinces to engage patrons through a range of activities.”

And Swim Drink Fish Canada president Mark Mattson said, “We are thrilled to belong to such an important initiative. Improving our understanding and appreciation of the Great Lakes watershed is a critical element in protecting and restoring it.”

Both selected authors will be featured in a free webinar series on September 25 and Oct. 2 and 9. All events will start at 7 pm ET/6 pm CT and will be open to all. The authors are available for in-person and online conversations and presentations with libraries, book clubs and other groups throughout the region throughout the 2024-2025 period.

The Great Lakes Great Read website, offers further details on the authors, their books, book discussion questions, a toolkit and other resources, including who to contact in each state and province to participate in the program.

This initiative is made possible by an Ideas to Action grant from WiLS in Madison, Wisconsin. In-kind support was provided by the staff with the Wisconsin Water Library at UW Madison, Wisconsin Sea Grant, the Wisconsin Library Association and UW-Parkside. Wisconsin Sea Grant and the University of Wisconsin Water Resources Institute support the Wisconsin Water Library.

Several organizations, including the Library of the Great Lakes, have partnered together to create and carry out the Great Lakes Great Read program. For more information and to sign up to participate, visit Great Lakes Great Read.