McManus was born in Stanley, Wisconsin before moving to Montana and then Washington. In her new book, Related to Loon: a first year teacher in Tuluksak, she takes the reader on an Alaskan adventure. McManus “turns student-of-life in a remote Alaskan village,” writes former Washington Poet Laureate, Kathleen Flenniken. “From the very first poem, we recognize Jackie McManus as a skilled storyteller–playful, serious, subtle, respectful… This little book is an absolute delight.” McManus draws on her experience in a Yup’ik community on the Alaskan tundra through poetry that reads like story.
Dale Brandenburger, Alaskan biologist and author of Grizzly Trade describes Related to Loon as “a bittersweet ode about an ancient isolated village on a collision course with the modern world. At turns, tragic and hopeful, but always poignant.”
Karla Huston, former Wisconsin Poet Laureate, calls it “warm and full of light.” Teaching first and second grade and accompanied by her four-year-old daughter, it’s a compelling read from a gifted writer. Read reviews and order your copy now at Finishing Line Press. (finishinglinepress.com)