Clan

Atlatl lives with his Clan at the end of the Ice Age. He broke his leg when very young and walks with a bad limp. He will never be a great hunter, but he can tell stories, and the children love listening to them. Atlatl’s father, who hates having a crippled son, is head of the Clan, his uncle is the shaman, and his cousin, Powaw, is mean as a snake to Atlatl. When Atlatl takes in an orphaned saber-toothed cub, the Clan is not happy, and Powaw finds a way to use Cub against Atlatl, getting him banished from the Clan. Atlatl, on his own in a harsh environment, sees a flood wash through the valley, and he thinks everyone is dead. Now, it seems, he is truly alone. Can he survive?

Not many middle-grade novels are set in prehistoric times. This coming-of-age, survival story is a great one that middle-graders will love. Author Sigmund Brouwer’s writing is terrific. The story is compelling, the characters are well-rounded and believable, and the problems the characters face are relatable to that audience. One can only hope there are more like this coming from Brouwer.