UW–Madison alumna Ann Dallman published the second book in her award-winning middle-grade series — the Cady Whirlwind Thunder Mysteries — in June. Dallman earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism education from the School of Education in 1970.
The series follows the adventures of Cady Whirlwind Thunder, a 13-year-old girl of Native American heritage who is attending a reservation school. Dallman based the stories about Cady on her 15 plus years of teaching on the Hannahville Indian Reservation (Nah Tah Wahsh) in Wilson, Michigan.
In the newly released second book, “Cady and the Birchbark Box,” Cady solves the mystery behind a weathered journal found inside an old birchbark box. Cady’s grandma and her ever-present companion, a noisy blue jay, encourage her as she puts together the pieces and ultimately restores the reputation of a deceased elder.
The first book in Dallman’s series, “Cady and the Bear Necklace,” won several awards including the Midwest Book Award, Michigan Historical Society Book Award, New Mexico-Arizona Book Award (multicultural category), and Indie Book Award (silver) following its release in 2019.
Gina Zanon, a fifth grade teacher in Menominee, Michigan, has called Dallman’s writing “a teacher’s dream come true.”
“Cady is a character students can relate to and learn from. While Cady is learning about her Native American culture and traditions, readers become immersed in a culture they may not have knowledge of,” Zannon added.
Dallman is also co-author of the award-winning biography, “Sam English: The Life, Work, and Times of an Artist.”