Tales from Gichi Gami · a young adult trilogy
A young adult fantasy trilogy set on the North Shore, where Ojibwe legends, the North Woods and a family adventure meet.
Start with Book 1 Meet the author
“An audacious coming-of-age tale across cultures and time.”Will Weaver, author of Memory Boy and Power & Light
Part I · The books
Three novels following BJ Maki, a ninth-grader in Grand Marais. Start with Book 1; Book 3 is being written.
Start here · Book 1
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.
“Gripping, thoughtful, and funny.”Pahasapa Belle
Next · Book 2
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.
“Not only are the varied and so likeable characters back…”Lafmore
Coming · Book 3
“Wonderful, enlightening adventure for young and old alike.”“He also knows kids, and doesn't patronize them.”“An amazing love letter to the north woods.”Reader reviews on Amazon
Part II · The author
Real places, told by someone who lives there and speaks Ojibwe. That is what makes these books different.
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.
Author photo to come“It's not easy to turn from an oral storyteller to a writer.”
Robert Saxton, on KAXE radio, 2024
Tales from Gichi Gami began as bedtime stories Robert told his children to encourage them to spend time outdoors. He lives in Bemidji, in the North Woods of Minnesota, and consults friends from the Native community so his characters are portrayed with respect.
Robert Saxton at Calumet Editions →
His voiceRobert narrates the audiobook of Book 1 himself.
Audio excerpt to be provided by Robert.
Shades of a WarriorAmazon · Bookshop.org · Barnes & Noble
Return of the ManitousAmazon · Bookshop.org · Barnes & Noble
Robert is an educator and a storyteller. For readings and author visits, get in touch.
Last reading · Reading at the Bemidji Public Library, August 27, 2024.
email to come
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