The Man With the Silver Eyes

by William O. Steele

Talatu (which means “the Cricket” in the language of the Cherokee) has spent his young life hating the whites, who have taken his people’s land and driven them deep into the wilderness. He is stunned when his beloved great-uncle tells him he must accompany Shinn, a white man with the palest eyes Talatu has ever seen, the the settlement of Watauga, where he is to spend a year with him. Autumn becomes winter as Talatu continues to despise the white Quaker who attempts to live in peace with his frontier neighbors, and he dreams of joining his warrior uncles in attacks on the white settlers.
Set against the backdrop of the raging Revolution and the tensions of frontier living in 1780, William O. Steele has written a memorable story about an encounter between a young Cherokee boy and a white Quaker trader culminating in a confrontation that transforms Talatu from a sullen and suspicious boy into a resolute and courageous man.

147 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1976

Reviews

[Sarah Rigg · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't remember much about this book and only know I read it in 1985 because I listed it in my journal from that time.

[Goatllama · Rating 3 out of 5]

I recall being very disappointed that the titular man was much less dramatic than the cover and whole "silver eyes" bit would imply. He wasn't a skilled fighter, trickster, or anything! Lame.

[Rodney Haydon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am enjoying reading these wonderful JF books by William O. Steele. This was an enjoyable story of the Revolutionary War as seen by a young Indian nameed Talatu. Hopefully this and his other works are continued to be read by boys and girls today.

[Flower]

found on my bookshelf