This is a great story for kids and adults alike. I really enjoyed the story and conflict between the family members. Definitely a good book to introduce kids to life during The Great Flood.

I want to thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for giving me the opportunity to review this book. I admit in my joy at joining NetGalley I may have been overzealous in my requesting numbers. As this book has already been published, I am choosing to work on the current upcoming publish date books in my que. As I complete those I will work on my backlogged request and will provide a review at that time. I again send my sincere thanks and apologies.

Part survival story, part animal-human friendship story and part redemption story, Clan follows the journey of Atlatl and the saber tooth cub he rescues from a dire wolf attack.

This book was a great coming-of-age story featuring a character who must overcome the limitations that his clan places on his disability. Although he starts out wanting to earn his father's approval most of all, it's his own acceptance of his gifts and his limitations that makes for a satisfying ending.

Quietly epic, Clan is a coming of age tale of survival, of the power and value of stories, of bitter sibling rivalry passed to the next generation, of persistence and growth, of pride and its victims, of ritual and of breaking the cycle. Set towards the end of the Ice Age, it follows Atlatl, a boy with a badly twisted leg in a culture where most men are valued for their physical prowess and skill at the hunt. A gifted storyteller who sparkles with intelligence, Atlatl is painfully aware that his father, clan leader Nootau, would much rather have his brother’s son, athletic Powaw, for his own. The story grapples with all of the classic conflicts—human vs human, human vs nature, human vs self—and feels as though it could have been written (or told) in another century. It’s an unadorned, refreshing, satisfying read—I enjoyed every minute I spent reading it. (Review posted on Goodreads)

I want to thank NetGalley and Penguin Random House (Tundra Books) for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book caught my eye due to the setting being in prehistoric times. The author at the end explains how the events and animals depicted in the story. Don't skip reading that at the end. This is not a long book. It will be a great new book to introduce to reluctant readers. It has lots of action- a great hook at the start of the book. It also explores great themes: honesty; loyalty; grace; forgiveness; malice. This story provides some rich discussions to ask readers what they would do in the characters' shoes. Many of the characters are very dynamic and I love that aspect when discussing stories with adolescents. The story is unique and full of adventure to visualize. A great title to add to the popular adventure story genre.

A courageous coming of age tale of friendship, family, forgiveness and finding one's place.



I grew up reading the Accidental Detectives by this author, and am also a huge fan of his teen and adult books as well, so when I saw that he was releasing a new middle grade book it was a no brainer for me. And it did not disappoint, Sigmund Brouwer is an excellent author, and I love how his storytelling appeals to all ages, and even though this is written for a younger audience I thoroughly enjoyed it. Though I will note that this book is different from his more well known previous releases as it would not be categorized as Christian fiction--and I knew that going into this book.



Atlatl is a boy on the verge of becoming a man, he feels rejected by his father because of his crippled foot, but he is also a gifted storyteller. He saves a sabertooth cub, which begins a series of events that drive a wedge between himself and the clan. Atlatl is a clever young man, I admired his determination, and ingenuity, as well as his heart for others.



This is a coming of age tale of survival, with a powerful message of forgiveness and friendship. Great for middle-grade readers, as well as a book to read together as a family. Fast paced and satisfying, this book explores what life might have been like in the early days for indigenous peoples, as well as the dynamics of a clan. Atlatl is a courageous hero, he is logical and clever, and grows in maturity over the course of the story. This book did a great job of exploring the relationships between members of the clan and how they must work together to survive. I found this to be an enjoyable and entertaining read, full of adventure, great for families and middle grade readers.




I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This book has captured my heart! The characters are so engaging. And the relationship between Atlatl and Cub is so endearing. My heart just about exploded when Atlatl & Nootau met again during Atlatl's dangerous encounter. Sigmund Brouwer did a great job of grabbing the readers attention and emotions!

I love reading periodical novels and imagining how people lived and what the landscape looking like. This is the perfect Middle Grade read with the right amount of tension, adventure, relational conundrums, and wise lessons. What makes this Middle Grade book even better is that it is one of those rare books that is equally suitable and enjoyable for both boys and girls.

This is one of those books that you wish would never end.

I recommend this book to all age groups. Thank you to #NetGalley & #TundraBooks for an advanced copy of #Clan in exchange for my honest opinion.

Did my 27 year old ass just 5 star a middle grade? Oh.

Clan is the perfect book for an adventure seeking child...or adult. I love how the plot was easy to follow, but kept you wanting to know more. As the story progresses some secrets and pasts are revealed but seeing what comes from those revelations made up for the sad parts.

I am honestly struggling to write this review, because I have so many reasons for you to read this book, I'm worried that all my reasons will spoil a lot of what happens within the pages. I just know that as soon as I finished reading Clan I needed to know there would be another in this series, and that I need it in my hands right now please.

A frosty tale of exploration, really enjoyable, it's a joyous and thrilling adventure, with echoes of a certain Hans Christian Andersen story.. I hope this gets picked up as a potential film, it has some wonderfully strong characters, features friendship and teamwork and has a lot of heart that would transfer superbly to a children's film.

I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

For fans of Hatchet and Maroo of the Winter Caves by Ann Turnbull comes this gem of a children's historical fiction book. Set at the end of the last Ice Age, Clan is the sweetly told coming-of-age adventure of a young misfit, the relationships he forges and lessons learned, storytelling, wisdom, and his search for love, all wrapped up in a very readable little novel that transports you straight into the Pleistocene Epoch.

Atlatl is a compelling and well-done character that I think kids and adults alike will relate to and cheer on as he navigates surviving the Great Flood, and (perhaps the more challenging feat!) achieving peaceful forgiveness with those who have wronged him. His exploration of the ideas of truth in storytelling, his broken-but-redeemed relationship with his stony father, the loss of his grandmother and beloved saber tooth friend. All come together to really flesh out the story and make it deeply human in a way that connects readers to the past.

All in all, a really lovely book that my kids and I really enjoyed as a way to put a face to some of our history studies. Don't hesitate to grab this one!

I read a small portion of this book, but had issues with the fact that the main character is from a prehistoric indigenous clan while this book is written by a white author.

Clan is the story of Atlatl, a boy on the verge on manhood in prehistoric times, at the end of an ice age. His father is the leader of the Clan, his uncle the Clan's shaman, and the Clan is everything. Atlatl has a severe limp, the result of shattering his knee in a fall when he was younger, which causes some in the Clan to belittle him, and he is acutely aware of his father's shame and disappointment. Despite this, he is fiercely loyal to his people and has tried to find a role for himself in the Clan.

One day he rescues an orphaned saber-tooth cub and brings it to live with the Clan, which causes friction and gives his uncle and cousin an opportunity to exploit to bring humiliation to Atlatl's father, and results in Atlatl and the cub being banished. Shortly after, a sudden, massive flood destroys the entire valley, and Atlatl is left to survive on his own.

This is a touching story not just of survival, but of the bond between a boy and his cub, his search for his place and role in the world, and gaining the confidence that comes with maturity and self-acceptance. This is a story of relationships, intrigue, loyalty, betrayal, overcoming obstacles, and surviving against all odds. It is well-written, engaging, and both character and plot driven. Atlatl is a strong and well-developed character that the reader can empathize with and cheer for.

While this has been compared to Hatchet and will appeal to Hatchet fans, it goes far beyond being a mere survival story.

This is a well written book that every school should have in their library. It has just the right amount of drama and adventure to hold your attention. It was a wonderful read that I will purchase when it's released. I highly recommend this book. Thank you Penguin Random House Canada/Tundra Books via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Clan
by Sigmund Brouwer

Penguin Random House Canada
Tundra Books
Children's Fiction | Middle Grade
Pub Date 04 Aug 2020


I am reviewing a copy of Clan through Penguin House Canada/Tundra Books and Netgalley:



Clan is not only a survival story, it is also a story of human and animal friendship as well as a story of redemption.


Clan follows the journey of Atlatl and the Sabre Tooth Tiger cub he rescued from a dire wolf attack.


Atlatl was injured as a child, and now has a twisted knee, despite that he is determined to prove his worth as a hunter to his Father.

Bringing the cub to the clan leads to devestating consequences though as well as torn loyalties between Atlatl and his Father.


After an epic disaster strikes Atlatl just rely on his wits ingeunity and bravery to save the remaining members of his Clan.



Perfect for fans of adventure stories such as Hatchet!


I give Clan five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!