Cats of the Clans (Warriors Series)

by Erin Hunter, Wayne Mcloughlin (Illustrator)

Overview

Hear the stories of the great warriors as they've never been told before! Cats of the Clans is chock-full of visual treats and captivating details, including full-color illustrations and in-depth biographies of important cats—from fierce Clan leaders to wise medicine cats to the most mischievous kits, as well as loners, rogues, and kittypets.

This collectible guide is a great introduction to the Warriors series for new fans and is indispensable for those already hooked!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780061458569
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date:	06/24/2008
Series:	Warriors Field Guide Series
Pages:	112
Sales rank:	40,778
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.60(d)
Lexile:	1120L (what's this?)
Age Range:	10 - 12 Years

About the Author

Erin Hunter is inspired by a fascination with the ferocity of the natural world. As well as having great respect for nature in all its forms, Erin enjoys creating rich mythical explanations for animal behavior. She is also the author of the bestselling Warriors and Seekers series.

Wayne McLoughlin studied art at San Diego State University and has worked as a writer and illustrator for such magazines as Esquire and National Lampoon. His books for children include Fireflies, by Alice Hoffman, Here is the Wetland, by Madeleine Dunphy (both Hyperion), and Loch, by Paul Zindel. He lives with his wife and daughter in Bellows Falls, Vermont.

Read an Excerpt

Warriors: Cats of the Clans

Chapter One

Three Lost Travelers

Who's there? Come forward, into the moonlight. Three kits, smelling of stars and the night? You're a long way from StarClan, little ones. Did you stray too far into the shadows at the edge of your territory? You must be surprised to end up here, far beneath the ground, with such a strange-looking cat to welcome you. I doubt my name, or this place, is spoken of in StarClan.

Hush, don't be scared. I won't hurt you. I'll show you the path home when day breaks, when there is light to see your way. Lie down—the floor is more comfortable than you may think. See how smooth it is underpaw? I would not exchange it for all the prickles and tickling things that line your nests. I have long forgotten how I ever slept amid such rustling. It is always silent here, apart from the echo of the water.

What did you say your name was? Mosskit? Of course, Bluefur's kit, Mistyfoot and Stonefur's little sister. And the underfed tom beside you? Adderkit, yes, from WindClan. You were very young to go to StarClan, weren't you? And named for the snake that . . . Yes, I know you too, Blossomkit! Your white fur is unusual for a ShadowClan cat. Brokenstar may have promised you that you'd be a warrior before any other kit in the forest, but I don't think he ever imagined you going into battle. You died too young, but trust me, you were saved from even greater horrors.

Three little kits who didn't live long enough in the forest to learn about your Clanmates, their friends, and their rivals. There is a price to be paid in being a kit forever.

If you settle down—yes, evenyou, Mosskit—then I'll answer your questions about the cats you left behind. Ha, the night is not long enough to tell you everything I know! There are so many cats, many more than you know about. You would be here a moon and more to hear of them all. But I shall tell you about the ones I remember most clearly, and the ones I watch still. Oh, yes, I have watched them all, from as far back as any cat in the Clans can remember, and farther. And not only the four Clans that live beside the lake now. Much as they might wish to think they are the center of this world, there are cats of equal worth—or more—far beyond their fragile borders. Cats reviled for being loners and rogues, simply because they do not wish to live in a hive of chattering voices: poor beleaguered SkyClan, driven out because of their fellow Clans' selfishness; the Tribe of Rushing Water, who cling stubbornly to the mountains like the moss that grows beside the waterfall—I know them all. And BloodClan, who are not worthy of the name of Clan, and who will fade into the stuff of nursery tales once they have consumed themselves with their hunger for battle and bloodshed.

Who am I? I am Rock, the keeper of the world beneath the one your former Clanmates walk.

The watcher for more moons than you can dream of.

And the seer of all the moons to come.

Now, be still and listen.

Warriors: Cats of the Clans. Copyright (c) by Erin Hunter . Reprinted by permission of HarperCollins Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. Available now wherever books are sold.

Table of Contents

Three Lost Travelers     2
ThunderClan     4
Firestar     6
Bluestar     8
Graystripe and Millie     10
Sandstorm     12
Yellowfang     14
Cinderpelt     16
Leafpool     18
Squirrelflight     20
Brambleclaw     22
Ashfur     24
Brightheart and Cloudtail     26
Jaypaw, Hollypaw, and Lionpaw     28
ShadowClan     30
Tigerstar     32
Brokenstar     34
Blackstar     36
Tawnypelt     38
Boulder     40
Littlecloud and Runningnose     42
WindClan     44
Tallstar     46
Onestar     48
Mudclaw     50
Crowfeather     52
Nightcloud and Breezepaw     54
Heatherpaw     56
RiverClan     58
Crookedstar     60
Leopardstar     62
Graypool, Mistyfoot, and Stonefur     64
Silverstream     66
Feathertail     68
Stormfur     70
Hawkfrost     72
Mothwing and Willowpaw     74
Cats Outside the Clans     76
Ravenpaw and Barley     78
Princess and Smudge     80
Brook Where Small Fish Swim and Talon of Swooping Eagle     82
Teller of the Pointed Stones     84
Cloudstar and Skywatcher     86
Leafdapple, Echosong, and Sharpclaw     88
Scourge and Bone     90

Editorial Reviews

A veritable who's-who of the "Cats of the Clans" membership, this is probably not a good idea to read independently from the series! The names and attributes will mean nothing. For Clan followers, this will give insight into each cat, his lineage and his forte in life. Hunter's infatuation with astrology and mythology comes through quite clearly in references to past lives, medicinal prowess, and clan allegiances. Each cat-member is shown in a full-page color illustration accompanied by a one-page, two- to three-paragraph description of his acceptance into the clan, how he arrived, his strengths, and any known lineage. In addition, each of the four clans (ThunderClan, ShadowClan, WindClan, RiverClan) has a double-page spread. Each clan possesses unique characteristics that are reminiscent of street "gangs," including violence, relationships and daily struggles. This work will never be confused with West Side Story, but it could serve as a precursor to more classical works, if a creative facilitator is involved! Reviewer: Elizabeth Young

Children's Literature - Elizabeth Young

Gr 4 Up

This guide to the phenomenally popular series uses a loose narrative structure to introduce the cats: three kittens have lost their way en route to Star Clan and are told stories by a mysterious narrator known only as Rock. The telling of the tales is organized by clan, giving a full-page overview of each character's place in the saga. While this book is a handy companion for fans of the series, it is absolutely mind-boggling for anyone who has not read at least one of the novels. The dizzying number of felines and their relationships is difficult to keep track of, and events mentioned make no sense without prior knowledge of the books. The lack of family trees is unfortunate-there are by now several generations of cats, as well as cross-mating among the clans-and there is a breakdown of the naming codes used to distinguish the warriors; titles such as "kit," "paw," and "star" change as the cats move up within the hierarchy of the clans. One element that will be evident to new readers is the ferocity of these animals' lives, which is in keeping with the tone and spirit of the novels. The full-color portraits of these cats are spectacular. They show these characters to be exciting, vibrant, and unique, and will interest new readers much more than the tone-heavy, mysterious musings of the narrator.-Kara Schaff Dean, Walpole Public Library, MA

School Library Journal