Hiram Johnson (’12) presented a copy of his book, “Vlad: Legend of the Four Brothers,” to the McCallie-Kennedy Library before he graduated this spring.
“The library is a haven for intellectuals like Hiram,” said Laurie Johnson, Hiram’s mother. “Ever since Lower School, he’s known the library to be a place he could take a deep breath, recollect himself, and explore those ideas and imaginary places that enchanted him. Darlington has supported his journey to find himself, share himself, to love discoveries through reading, and to embrace his path as a writer.”
The 689-page novel follows the story of Vlad Darkbane, a reluctant hero in a world that mirrors our own – marked with struggles that test our integrity, and conflicts that pit head against heart, and ego against soul. Through Vlad’sjourney, the reader experiences the agony of putting others’ needs above our own, and the joy of staying the course until good men triumph, and love prevails. "Vlad" is currently available at Amazon.com as well as the Last Stop Bookstore and Dogwood Books and Antiques in Rome. Hiram is already working on the second novel in the series.
“I think it reflects well on Darlington that the school’s reader-friendly environment helped stimulate a student to write/revise/hone a novel that promotes honor, virtue, selfless service and courageous duty,” Johnson said.
Hiram attended Darlington for grades PK-12 and will attend the University of Georgia this fall. An active member of the community, he is an Eagle Scout. His project initiated the renewal of the Wetlands Education Center at Ridge Ferry Park. Hiram also serves as chairman of TEEN McKeever's First Ride, sponsored by Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
“He is helping launch the first-ever network for teens with amputees/prosthetics,” Johnson said. “Imagine that – being the only teen in a hundred mile radius with a prosthetic leg, or no arm. It will mean a LOT to those guys, to connect in a group for teens, by teens. It is international in scope and just launched in Italy!”
