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June 17, 2009

Hood teacher authors new novel

By Julie Huss

DERRY — When Michael Philion first heard the story, he knew it would make a great book.

Philion, a longtime German teacher at Gilbert H. Hood Middle School is the author of a new novel, Baggattaway, a story based on an historical account of a battle in Michigan during Pontiac's Rebellion in 1763, where Native Americans used their lacrosse-style game of baggattaway to fool British soldiers while taking over a prominent fort.

After hearing the story, Philion knew it would make for a good read.

"I'm kind of a weekend warrior writer," the teacher said, adding he has focused on writing for many years, but his new novel is near and dear to his heart.

Philion, who lives in Nashua, said he first heard the story of baggattaway, the lacrosse-style game played historically by the Native Americans, on a trip to Maine with his family. His sons already were interested in lacrosse and once in Maine, they stumbled upon a 14-foot sculpture in front of an art gallery.

"The two braves were frozen in this beautiful pose," Philion recalled of the statue.

He went into the gallery and heard the story of the Indian chief Pontiac and the rebellion battle in 1763 where braves took over a British fort in Michigan using the game of baggattaway, a lacrosse-style game using a ball and sticks.

In his new novel, Philion uses this historic scenario to create a story of modern Chippewa attempting to resurrect their sacred lacrosse game in the sport's 2010 World Cup.

And part of the book's journey had Philion going the self-publishing route, submitting his work to an online publishing house for completion.

As part of the deal, Philion must now market his own work and get the word out about his book. He said the Hood school community has been very supportive of his work and even hosted a book signing to help promote his new novel.

And the students he teaches at Hood also offer their own reviews and critiques.

"The kids had an amazing reaction," he said. "And it's been a great reception from the staff here."

Philion said Baggattaway is a quick read and he hopes people will take time to find out more about his book. By delving into an historical moment in time, and bringing a sport he loves into the context, he hopes others enjoy the outcome as much as he does.

"The story is so great," he said, "it needed to be told."

He hopes people affiliated with the world lacrosse sport might grab a copy of his book and possibly somehow influence others into appreciating the Native American beginnings of the sport.

"They could celebrate the old Indian ways one more time," Philion said.

To find out more about Philion and his book, Baggattaway, visit online at www.baggattaway.com. Several links to other information are available through that site, including information on lacrosse.

Also visit the publisher, www.wordclay.com and amazon.com for additional information. The book sells for $19.95.

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