Clan
Clan
“There’s the thief!”
It was Powaw’s voice, as angry as it was accusing. It was a tone of suppressed violence that made Cub growl in response.
“I’m no thief,” Atlatl said.
“The Elders will decide,” Powaw said. He pointed his spear at Cub. “You are responsible for this animal, and we saw it steal meat from a drying rack.”
“Not possible. Cub is always with me,” Atlatl said.
“Apisi saw it happen,” Powaw said.
Atlatl turned to the small boy. “When?”
“This morning,” Apisi said. He did not make eye contact with Atlatl.
“Who else saw this?” Atlatl asked. The drying rack was near the tents. If Cub had somehow sneaked away, surely there would be other witnesses.
Apisi shrugged an answer.
“I saw it too,” Powaw said. “Apisi and I were together when it happened. Cub tore a strip from the rack and ran away to eat it.”
Atlatl paused. Any accusation needed two witnesses. Powaw was a better liar than Apisi, but even so, the Elders would have no choice but to take action if they both said they had seen Cub steal the food.
“Have you told this to an Elder?” Atlatl asked finally. He needed time to think about how to protect Cub.
“As soon as we take Cub back to the camp,” Powaw answered, his spear still pointed at Cub. “Apisi, tie the rope around the animal’s neck.”
“No,” Atlatl stepped in front of Cub.
Cub pushed his head forward and looked upward at Powaw from between Atlatl’s legs. He continued to growl in a low tone.
“Apisi,” Powaw said. “Do it now.”
“You are threatening me with a spear,” Atlatl said. “The Elders will hear of this too.”
“You don’t have a witness.” He grinned and jabbed the spear at Atlatl’s chest, stopping just short with each jab. “Do you see anything, Apisi? Do you see anyone threatening Atlatl?”
“No,” Apisi answered. He shifted uncomfortably.
“What do you see?” Powaw asked the little boy.
Apisi said, “Only an animal that stole food from the Clan.”
“This animal?” Powaw asked. “Hiding between Atlatl’s legs?”
Powaw reversed his spear and prodded Cub’s nose with the butt of the spear.
Atlatl’s frustration and anger had been building. His explosion of rage felt like a flash of lightning, and he reacted without thinking. He grabbed the shaft of the spear with both hands and yanked it in a twisting motion.
At the same time, Cub snarled and leaped upward. He raked his claws against Powaw’s forearms.
Powaw screamed and released the spear, but lost his balance, falling onto his back.
Cub pounced on Powaw’s chest.
Powaw shrieked louder and pushed Cub upward, trying to keep the large fangs away from his neck.
Atlatl hurled the spear to the side and reached down and wrapped his arms around Cub’s ribs and pulled.
Cub was far heavier than Atlatl expected. Still, he was able to straighten with the animal in his arms. Cub clawed at empty air, still snarling.
Powaw scrambled backward, now bawling like a little boy.
“Apisi, you saw it!” Powaw cried. Blood streamed down the skin of his forearms. “You saw it! They both attacked me. You saw it.”
A deeper voice reached them. “I saw it too.”
It was Banti. He moved in slow steps down the path to put an arm around Powaw’s shoulder, leaning forward as if he were in some kind of pain. His skin was tight across his face. Although he and Nootau had been born only a summer apart, Banti looked much older. “Atlatl, there will be punishment. You won’t be able to hide behind your father or grandmother now.”
Set in prehistoric times, Clan details the adventures of Atlatl and his best friend, Cub, the saber-tooth cub he rescued after a pack of wolves attacked the cub and his mother.
After Atlatl brings Cub back to the Clan, things take a turn for the worse. Atlatl has already had to deal with the stigma of his physical disability. Other members of the Clan have placed limitations on what he is able to do to support the Clan, including his not being seriously considered for a role as a hunter. As well, there are the multi-generational rivalries set in place between Atlatl’s father and uncle, as well as with his cousin, Powaw. Atlatl’s adding a wild animal to the mix introduces another obstacle for Atlatl to overcome in terms of how members of the Clan view him.
When Powaw accuses Cub of stealing food, a serious offence in the Clan, things spiral out of control. Atlatl must face the Council of Elders to determine his fate. After being banished from the Clan, Atlatl is forced to embark on his own journey with Cub. As Atlatl and Cub set out on their own, they face many obstacles including finding food and shelter and defending themselves against predators, like the dire wolves, short-nosed bears, cheetahs, and thunderbirds. For what Atlatl lacks in physical ability, he is determined to make up for in bravery, intelligence, hard work, and creativity to make his own way in the world, as well as to hope for one last chance to make things right with the Clan and prove he is worthy of earning back a spot in the group.
Clan is Sigmund Brouwer’s latest middle grade fiction offering. Brouwer is a bestselling author, having published nearly 30 novels for children, teens, and adults, with close to 4 million books currently in print. His previous works have garnered him several awards and nominations, including the Arthur Ellis award for best young adult mystery, and he has been a finalist for the TD Children’s Literature Awards on two occasions. In addition to writing, Brouwer has been putting on writing workshops for students in schools in North America. He resides in Red Deer, Alberta.
Clan takes place in prehistoric times, and, despite the world Atlatl lives in being very different from the one we live in today, Brouwer does a fantastic job of making it clear that the human experience is universal. Young readers are likely to feel for, and connect with, Atlatl’s experiences in one way or another, whether it be his persevering despite his physical difficulties and the limitations imposed on him by others, to his search for belonging, connection, and a place in the world, or the close relationship he has with Cub, the animal in his life.
The setting of this text is a key element that drives the plot forward. From the detailed descriptions of the various features of the landscape, including the mountains, rivers, caves, and valleys, Brouwer creates vivid imagery for the reader. Having a visual of the setting allows the reader to understand and appreciate what life was life in this time frame, as well as the daily considerations and difficulties the Clan would encounter and navigate. Brouwer also weaves in descriptions of the stories the hunters and shamans tell to younger members of the Clan to explain how their world came to be and the set of principles they live by.
Clan consists of a unique combination of themes, including survival, coming-of-age, adventure, and the bond between humans and animals. Young readers are bound to enjoy taking in the historical aspects of what life was life in the prehistoric age, the animals that existed then, as well as the storytelling and traditions that the First Peoples shared and participated in at this time. Despite the actions taking place in a vastly different time frame, readers are likely to connect on the human experience and root for Atlatl on his journey of self-discovery as he battles both for survival and his bond with his best friend, Cub.
Chasity Findlay is a graduate of the Master of Education program in Language and Literacy at the University of Manitoba and an avid reader of young adult fiction.