ENFRES

The books

Shades of a WarriorBook 1 · start here Return of the ManitousBook 2 Book 3Being written · get notified
ENFRES
Preview — design proposal by Applications Sigma. Content from public sources, to be validated by Robert.

Stories born on the shores of Lake Superior

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

“An audacious coming-of-age tale across cultures and time.”Will Weaver, author of Memory Boy and Power & Light

Shades of a WarriorBook 1 · start here Return of the ManitousBook 2

“An audacious coming-of-age tale across cultures and time.”Will Weaver, author of Memory Boy and Power & Light

Part I · The books

A trilogy to read in order

Three novels following BJ Maki, a ninth-grader in Grand Marais. Start with Book 1; Book 3 is being written.

Shades of a Warrior

Start here · Book 1

Shades of a Warrior

2024 · 294 pages

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

Enter the world

Return of the Manitous

Next · Book 2

Return of the Manitous

2025 · 313 pages

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

Enter the world

What readers say

“Wonderful, enlightening adventure for young and old alike.”
Lafmore
“He also knows kids, and doesn't patronize them.”
Johannes Beta
“An amazing love letter to the north woods.”
Lake Harriet Elementary

Reader reviews on Amazon

Part II · The author

A lake, a storyteller, a language

Real places, told by someone who lives there and speaks Ojibwe. That is what makes these books different.

The land

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.

Gichi Gami Lake Superior DuluthTwo HarborsSilver Bay Grand MaraisGrand PortageThunder Bay MinnesotaOntario
Illustrative map of the North Shore. Real places; the stories centre on Grand Marais.
Gichigami
A sea, a large lake; Lake Superior.
Manidoo
A manitou, a spirit.
Wiindigoo
Windigo: a winter cannibal monster of Ojibwe tradition.

Definitions from the Ojibwe People's Dictionary (University of Minnesota). To be reviewed with Robert.

Author photo to come

The man

“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.

Lives in
Bemidji, Minnesota
Work
EMT, educator
Speaks
Several languages, including Ojibwe
Publisher
Calumet Editions

Robert Saxton at Calumet Editions →

His voiceRobert narrates the audiobook of Book 1 himself.

On Audible

Audio excerpt to be provided by Robert.

Practical information

Schools & libraries

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

Book 3 is on its way

Leave your email and receive a note when it is released. Nothing else.