Siena Heights University’s Ethnic and Gender Studies Institute has been chosen to participate as a partner in the 2021-22 Great Michigan Read program sponsored by the Michigan Humanities Council.

The book this year is “The Women of the Copper Country,” by Mary Doria Russell. It highlights issues of gender, immigration, class and women’s roles in the early labor movement, and is set in an Upper Peninsula mining community. As part of this partnership, SHU recently received 30 free books as well as reader’s guides, teacher’s guides and bookmarks, and will also be receiving 10 e-book copies soon.

“The author will be available to present on her novel and talk with us next semester, and I’m hoping to host an in-person event that could also be streamed to those off campus,” said SHU EGS Director and Professor of English Julie Barst.

The Great Michigan Read aims to connect Michiganians by deepening readers’ understanding of the state, society and humanity. A statewide panel of teachers, librarians, community leaders and book lovers select the Great Michigan Read every two years.