“Silver Light & Red: The Legend of the Hinckley Buzzards” is an exciting historical novel for teens by Hinckley resident Ernest F. Zore.
Silver Light is a 15-year-old member of the Aloona Nation who lives in a settlement called City of the Circle Moon. He has little standing in the community, and what distinction he does have comes from his ability to communicate with animals. He is amazed when the chief calls him to a council meeting. When Silver Light arrives, Fighting Bear, the commander of the tribe’s warriors, confronts him and threatens his friend, Red.
The meeting is grim. Running Deer, just older than Silver Light, had been part of a trading party, but when they camped for the night near their destination, they were attacked and massacred. Only Running Deer survived, and Silver Light’s parents were among the victims. Secondary, but not insignificant, is the loss of all the trade goods that were needed for the community’s well-being.
The tribal council decides to avenge their fallen comrades, and Fighting Bear selects his war party. Silver Light is not included, but he decides to set out on his own. Red accompanies him. They have little idea about what they plan to do.
The going is difficult; the canoe is attacked and capsizes, separating the friends. Silver Light is captured by a trio of bandits who intend to sell him. The Southlanders, the warlike people who Zore describes as Mayan, are led by the ferocious war chief Cadmael. There are atrocities on both sides.
The area covered by the story is a huge swath of North America, from the Great North Lake (Erie) to the Angry River (the Rio Grande). The Aloona are mound-building people, with their City of the Circle Moon located around Newark in Licking County. Some of their earthworks are preserved.
Silver Light does communicate with animals but he does not understand the extent of his ability; he hesitates when his companions urge him to summon help in crises. The breakneck pace of the dramatic story is such that readers may not realize until the very last pages that the buzzards of the book’s title haven’t shown up yet. No matter.
The final battle between the Aloona and the relentless Southlanders is hair-raising.
“Silver Light & Red” (254 pages, softcover) costs $12.95 from online retailers. It is recommended for readers 13 to 18. Zore’s company develops software for law firms and government agencies.
‘Ohio’s Presidents: A History & Guide’
Ohio and Virginia have long disputed the nickname “Mother of Presidents,” with eight presidents representing each state. The problem is William Henry Harrison, who was born in Virginia but who lived much of his life in Ohio, which he represented in Congress. Is Virginian author Heather S. Cole unbiased in “Ohio’s Presidents: A History & Guide.”
Yes, although she previously wrote “Virginia’s Presidents: A History and Guide,” which included William Henry (Benjamin Harrison remains attached to Ohio). The remaining seven presidents are portrayed in seven chapters, with sections about their early lives, “Road to the White House,” presidency, some interesting facts and black-and-white photos. There is a staged photo of William Howard Taft learning of his 1908 nomination through a candlestick phone.
Each chapter includes a list of historic sites dedicated to its president. Aside from the Taft National Historic Site, which is his childhood home with a welcome center in Cincinnati, the only other historic site for Taft is his grave at Arlington National Cemetery, marked by a smallish monument and two benches.
“Ohio’s Presidents” (144 pages, softcover) costs $24.99 from History Press. In her acknowledgements, Cole says she often spent childhood visits with her grandparents in Boardman.
‘Apotropaic Beatnik Graffiti’
Akron native and Devo co-founder Mark Mothersbaugh has long had a preoccupation with the imagery of the eye, and his opulent new art book “Apotropaic Beatnik Graffiti” is striking proof.
“Apotropaic” means a symbol that protects against bad luck or the evil eye, which ties into the theme. Song lyrics and aphorisms are written graffiti-style around the eye images, including such as “Honk if you like napalm,” “Bango bazooka” and “Robust odorifica twang.”
A press release explains Motherbaugh’s avocation of making artistic postcards, of which he has amassed some 70,000.
“Apotropaic Beatnik Graffiti” (548 pages, hardcover) costs $60 from apotropaicbeatnikgraffiti.bigcartel.com.
Events
Fireside Book Shop (29 N. Franklin St., Chagrin Falls): Betty Weibel discusses “The Cleveland Grand Prix: A Show Jumping First” and “Little Victories: A True Story of the Healing Power of Horses,” 1 to 2:30 p.m. Sunday.
Cuyahoga County Public Library (Bay Village branch, 27400 Wolf Road): Marlene Targ Brill talks about “Jane Addams: The Most Dangerous Woman in America,” a biography for young readers about the social activist, 2 to 3 p.m. Monday. Register at cuyahogalibrary.org.
Cuyahoga County Public Library (North Olmsted branch, 27403 Lorain Road): Mark Dawidziak talks about “Stephen King and the Shawshank Redemption Revealed: How One Story Keeps Hope Alive,” about the 1994 movie he covered from its early production, 7 to 8 p.m. Monday. Register at cuyahogalibrary.org.
Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library (Coventry Village branch, 1925 Coventry Road, Cleveland Heights): Marlene Targ Brill talks about “Jane Addams: The Most Dangerous Woman in America,” 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday. Register at heightslibrary.org.
Learned Owl Book Shop (204 N. Main St., Hudson): Lori Happ signs her children’s book “Chautauqua Dog Love,” 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.
Advance notice
An event sure to sell out: On July 30, James Patterson and his co-author Mike Lupica will appear at the Parma-Snow branch of Cuyahoga County Public Library to talk about “Hard to Kill,” third in the Jane Smith series about a tough criminal attorney with a terminal disease. The $30 admission includes a pre-signed copy of the book. Register at cuyahogalibrary.org.
Email information about books of local interest, and event notices at least two weeks in advance to gmail.com and bjnews@thebeaconjournal.com. Barbara McIntyre tweets at @BarbaraMcI.
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