Content levels
Trigger warnings
Protagonist archetypes
Synopsis
You will make things right. When the time comes, I know you will. The mountain cats followed the sun trail to a new territory, convinced that in a land with more prey, their lives would be free from strife. But while no cat has gone hungry, tensions are rising—and the once firmly united group has split in two. Caught in the middle is a young cat named Thunder. Orphaned after his father, Clear Sky, rejected him, Thunder has thrived under Gray Wing's watchful eye. But Thunder cannot escape the memory or hurt of his father's rejection. When a devastating fire rips through the forest, Thunder's natural abilities are put to the test. Impressed, Clear Sky invites Thunder to join him. But allegiances borne over time can be stronger than blood ties, and Thunder is forced to decide if he is with his father—or against him.
Is Thunder appropriate for my child?
Suitable for most readers 8 and up.
This middle grade animal fantasy features cats facing natural disasters and group tensions with moderate peril, including a forest fire and themes of parental abandonment. Violence is limited to animal conflicts without graphic detail.
What to know going in
This book has moderate violence, no sexual content, and clean language. Content notes include death of parent, grief, and abandonment (see the full list above).
Who'll love this
Readers will root for Thunder as he navigates tough choices between loyalty to his adoptive family and his biological father while proving himself as a hero.