Warriors: Into the Wild

Title: Warriors: Into the Wild
Author: Erin Hunter
Publisher: HarperCollins
ISBN: 0060000023

Recommended for Grades 6-10
Genre: Fiction-Fantasy

Reader’s Annotation:
Rusty, a domestic cat, follows his dream to become a wild cat. It won't be as easy as he thinks, as he joins the ThunderClan and becomes Firepaw.

Plot Summary:
Domesticated cat Rusty, despite the warnings of his friend, leaves home to join the ranks of the wild cats who live in the forest. He soon joins the ThunderClan, a group of wild cats, and is given the name Firepaw. Under the tutelage of Graypaw and Ravenpaw, Firepaw learns to fight and hunt so he can continue to survive in the forest.

Life in the forest is not idyllic as Firepaw expected. When he learns of Tigerclaw, a warrior in the clan's plan to kill other members in order to ascend the clan's ranks, Firepaw must fight to save the life of Tigerclaw's next target. Problems grow as other clans begin to fight for more territory. Firepaw must fight, and face the loss of someone that he loves.

Evaluation:
Though the characters in the book are cats, human issues are dealt with in the series. Firepaw must deal with adapting to a new life, finding forbidden love, and dealing with bullies. Many teens can relate to these real life issues.

Notes:
There are many books in the Warriors series. Information on these books can be found at http://www.warriorcats.com/warriorshell.html