Shades of a Warrior
Ninth-grader BJ Maki senses an evil presence in the hills above his home near Lake Superior. Guided by cryptic messages, he searches for the Red Hand Warrior, and a hidden cave leads him five hundred years into the past.
I
The trilogy
Written in English. Paperback and ebook; audiobook of Book 1 read by the author.
Return of the Manitous
Winter returns to the North Shore. When a close family friend disappears, BJ and his sister Charley investigate with their new Ojibwe neighbor, Amy, while windigos from Indigenous folklore creep into town.
IIIIn progress
Book 3
The final book of the trilogy is being written. Be the first to know when it comes out.
“It's not easy to turn from an oral storyteller to a writer.”
Robert Saxton, on KAXE radio, 2024
II
The world of the books
The trilogy takes place on the North Shore of Lake Superior, the lake the Ojibwe call Gichi Gami. BJ Maki lives in Grand Marais, a harbour town between the forest and the water.
In Book 1, a cave opens onto a fifteenth-century Ojibwe village. Robert consults friends from Bemidji's Native community so these characters are portrayed with respect.
A few Ojibwe words from the books
- Gichigami
- A sea, a large lake; Lake Superior.
- Manidoo
- A manitou, a spirit.
- Wiindigoo
- Windigo: a winter cannibal monster of Ojibwe tradition.
III
What readers say
“An audacious coming-of-age tale across cultures and time.”“Gripping, thoughtful, and funny.”“Wonderful, enlightening adventure for young and old alike.”“An amazing love letter to the north woods.”Reader reviews on Amazon
IV
Hear Robert's voice
Robert narrates the audiobook of Shades of a Warrior himself.
Audio excerpt to be provided by Robert.
V
Schools & libraries
Robert is an educator and a storyteller. For readings and author visits, get in touch.
Past eventReading at the Bemidji Public Library, August 27, 2024.
VI
Meet the author
Author photo to comeRobert Saxton lives in Bemidji, in the North Woods of Minnesota. He is an EMT and an educator; he loves cross-country skiing, wild rice harvesting and maple syrup, and is restoring the land around his home, tree by tree.
He speaks several languages, including Ojibwe. Tales from Gichi Gami began as bedtime stories he told his children to encourage them to spend time outdoors.
Where to find the books
Shades of a Warrior Amazon · Bookshop.org · Barnes & Noble
Return of the Manitous Amazon · Bookshop.org · Barnes & Noble