Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Book Review - Zan-Gah by Allan Richard Shickman


Published by Earthshaker Books
Released July 15, 2007
*Eric Hoffer Award Winning Book*
3.5 stars-good read

Zan-Gah: A prehistoric adventure has only begun. Pressed by love for his brother and a bad conscience, the hero undertakes a quest which leads to captivity, conflict, love, and triumph. In three years, Zan-Gah passes from an uncertain boyhood to a tried and proven manhood and a role of leadership among his people. This dramatic and impassioned story will thrill and deeply move young adults and older readers. They will dream of Zan-Gah at night and remember it all of their lives!-taken from cover

This is a great pre-historic adventure, following Zan-Gah. At a young age he becomes a fierce and respected warrior, as he killed a lioness with just his spear. Zan-Gah, is a journey and a great pre-historic read, one of which I've never read before. The book follows Zan-Gah as he goes in search of his missing twin brother, who's been gone for a couple years, but has started calling out to Zan in his dreams.

The search nearly kills Zan-Gah and isn't without difficulty, as he travels for over a year through tough terrain, and is kidnapped. He's held captive for a year by the Wasp People, who are a tribe greatly feared by Zan's people and other local tribes. Uponhis release, he finds an even more savage tribe, and that's where he finds his brother.

Dael isn't the fun, free spirited brother Zan remembers. After years of captivity and torture, which Dael does not reveal, Zan finds a very broken, lost inside himself, brother. On their long journey home, they find themselves in more trouble, as the Wasp people are ready for war. Zan gained a lot of knowledge in his journey in finding his brother Dael. He learned valuable things from his enemies and from the various tribes he visited on his way. His knowledge is the key in restoring unity among the tribes and defeating the Wasp people in their quest for war.

Allan Shickman's rich detailed, pre-historic world building, left me feeling like I was part of the journey. As a middle schooler, I would have really enjoyed this book. I think teachers and parents teaching their children about the pre-historic era, will really enjoy having this Eric Hoffer Award Winning book.
I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves. ~ Anna Quindlen

Good children's literature appeals not only to
the child in the adult, but to the adult in the child.
~ Anonymous ~