Zan-Gah: A Prehistoric Adventure by Allan Richard Shickman

Zan is a young boy who wants to be a man.  When a lion mauls and kills a young boy in the clan, they, along with four other clans, work together to bring down the lion.  Zan is determined he will be joining the menfolk and pushes his fear down deep inside.  But when the clanfolk circle the lion, she pounces, straight at Zan.  Zan knows he must face his fears head on, so he doesn't move and his spear finds itself imbedded in the lion.  He is a hero!

Not long ago, his twin brother Dael and he had a fight over a scrap of meat.  Angered, Dael walked away, but he never returned.  Now, Zan is determined to find his twin.  If he can slay a lion, he is old enough to go look for his brother.

Zan encounters much danger in his journey, but he is smart and fast.  He doesn't realize it, but he invented a new weapon along the way that will be legended through-out the ages.  After killing a snake before it attacked him, he used the skin in anger and fruit soared through the air.  He made a sling! It would be a great weapon to have.  But Zan is soon captured by an unfriendly clan.  They mistake Zan for his brother Dael.  Zan doesn't fight the capture because he wants to know where his brother is.  He stays with the clan for over a year as a slave, learning their secrets and way of life.

When he is released, he treks to where he believes Dael was taken.  But the desert is an enemy that Zan can't fight.  He has no education on survival in such a primitive land.  He knows if he doesn't find water soon, he will die and his journey to find his brother will be for naught.

Zan-Gah: A Pre-Historic Adventure is not a book I would normally pick up to read.  However, I was captured by page 1 and couldn't put it down.  You learn so much about primitive times, how they gathered food, made weapons, and how primitive it really was to live back in those days.  Even their games are similiar to today.  There are valuable lessons to be learned, lessons of hope, faith, teamwork, and many more.  It's a great page-turner and I am looking forward to more adventures in book two, Zan-Gah and the Beautiful Country.  Young adults and Adults alike will find enjoyment in this prehistoric tale!!

You can read a sample chapter on Mr. Shickman's site here.