Book Review: Zah-Gah: A Prehistoric Adventure

Zah-Gah: A Prehistoric Adventure
Zan-Gah #1
Author: Allan Richard Shickman
Pages: 148 pgs
Reading Level: YA
Published: July 15th 2007
Review Source: Earthshaker Books 

You know that saying, “Don’t judge a book by its cover?”  Well, that saying couldn't be truer about this little book!  At first I thought this was going to be one of those books that were so boring that I wouldn't be able to get past the first chapter, well I couldn't have been more wrong.  This book is meant for young kids, but to tell you the truth, I couldn't put it down.  It kept me wanting more the whole time and that’s exactly what I got.  It was wonderfully written and the characters were inspiring.  

  

The book starts off with Zan, a young boy who goes on a quest to find his missing twin brother, Zael.  Everyone in his tribe feared Zael dead, but Zan thought otherwise, or should I say “felt” otherwise.  Zan thought that since they were twins they had a special connection that no one else had and he felt that his brother was still alive.  Through his journey he travels to different tribes and some are noble and welcomed him, but others aren’t as hospitable.  He sets out on this journey as a young boy looking for his twin brother, but comes back a man and during that journey he discovers more than what happened to Zael, he discovers new ways his tribe people can protect themselves against rival tribes and also discovers a weapon that no one knows about.  Although those are very important things the most important thing is that he brings the tribes together to fight against a common enemy and to forget about the old grudges they carried down from generation from generation.    I totally recommend this book.

Summary: (from goodreads) Zan-Gah, seeking his lost twin brother in a savage prehistoric world, encounters adventure, suffering, conflict, captivity, and final victory. In three years hero passes from an uncertain boyhood to a tried and proven manhood and a position of leadership among his people. Themes include survival, brotherhood, cultures, gender roles, psychological trauma, and nature's wonders and terrors. This is the electronic version of Zan-Gah: A Prehistoric Adventure, which has been awarded Mom's Choice Gold Medal for Series, the Eric Hoffer Notable Book Award, and was a finalist for ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year.