The Kin (series)

by Peter Dickinson

Suth's Story
pgs: 145
my rating: ********

The Moonhawks have been attacked by strange men. Now they must leave their old Good Places and find new ones. When they cross a desert, it is decided to leave four children behind. But Suth and Noli, only children themselves, go back to rescue the little ones. Together the small band sets off in search of Good Places, and perhaps a place to call home.

Noli's Story
pgs: 156
my rating: *********

After a volcanic eruption destroys the Good Place they are living in with Monkey Kin, the band of children sets off in search of the rest of their Moonhawk Kin. They find instead a Kin without words, a Kin named Porcupine. Porcupine is not one of the old First Ones, though; the world is changing, and the Moonhawks must find a new place in it.

Ko's Story
pgs: 158
my rating: *******

Ko is only a boy. But he wants to do something good, something worth a boast. When the Moonhawks and their friends the Porcupines, along with a few others from other Kins, reach an uncrossable marsh, Ko sees his opportunity. He will find the way across the marsh to new Good Places. But the marshes are unsafe, as everyone is soon to discover...

Mana's Story
pgs: 169
my rating: ********

When the Moonhawks and their companions reach the other side of the marsh, they find that the marshpeople are afraid. Soon they know why: there are demon men, men who kill other men. All Mana wants is peace and comfort. Can she help her people fight off the demon men, and still have peace in her heart?

(This series is set in prehistoric times, at the time of the first Homo sapiens sapiens, the humans we know today. The chapters of these stories are intermingled with Oldtales, made up stories about how things came to be.)