Tribes

by Cathy MacPhail

"You don't just walk into the tribe, pal. First you've got to pass the test."
Kevin thinks gangs are stupid - he's never going to join one but events spiral out of control when he's caught up in a gang fight and the tribe comes to his rescue. It isn't easy to join the tribe - but, as Kevin discovers when it's almost too late, it's far harder to leave.

Genres: Young Adult, Middle Grade, Fiction, Childrens, School

138 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Catherine MacPhail

Reviews

[Abby Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was brilliant and you can start to understand just how bad gangs can be just from this book. This was a great book with excellent cliffhangers and I really enjoyed it. I recommend Tribes to people of a younger age and like action books.

[Ailsa Mackay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aimed at 8-10 year olds, Cathy McPhail has combined a fast paced, tense drama with believable and engaging characters. She addresses a range of issues relevant to her target age group (the appeal of gangs, friendship, the impact of a dysfunctional family background, questions of trust) and has created a thrilling page turner with plenty of scope for interesting classroom discussions.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual rating: 3.5

I picked up this book because it was written by an author I used to love as a teen. Cathy MacPhail writes about real issues through her works of fiction: teen pregnancy, bullying and gangs etc. This book explores gang culture within the young, male teens. Due to this age range and the target demographic the gang behaviours are not as violent as you would expected. Despite this, the book clearly explores the consequences of gang culture and provides a much needed education on the topic area.

Kevin is the thirteen year old main character who thinks gangs and gang culture is stupid and pointless. Despite the he is drawn in and joins a local gang. Kevin starts obeying the gang rules and attempts to maintain his school, home and gang life. His school work and home life soon begins to suffer without his realising. MacPhail successfully shows how anybody can be drawn in by a gang. I have always been interested in social psychology, conformity in particular. It is not the want to join a gang or the reputation that why most people join, it is the feeling of belonging, loyalty, friendship and pride. Gangs are very much a misunderstood demographic within society and this books helps not only explain gangs but controlling friendships and relationships too.

Like other books I have reviewed, I believe this book would be extremely beneficial as a compulsory read within schools. I feel the education would encourage opinion sharing, reduce stereotypes and even prompt students in a similar scenario to talk about it.

The only 'negative' point I have to make about this book is that it was too short! More detail into the characters' backgrounds, behaviours, thoughts and feelings would have improved this book significantly and an extra hundred pages certainly would not have put me off in any way.

[Reece Doherty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, it was certainly a brilliant little read. It started of straight away, you were slammed into the book. The fun twist and turns it got you hanging on to your seat. I’ll give it to Cathy MacPhail she wrote and great book. I would recommend to people who like gangs and fights.

She is incredible at leaving you wanting to know more to the mysterious characters. And characters that were there before Kevin!

I myself like grammar, and a lot of descriptive words, (even if I can’t use them myself) and it had some brilliant one but it was a little softer to the thing I usually read, but I’m not gong to complain about that since it is meant for people a little younger, probably around 11.

Anyways summary,
Great book, very exiting, leaves you hanging off your seat and great descriptions.

[Joanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely written for KS3 children (about ages 9-11), but the exploration of gangs and what makes them so attractive and all consuming was very well-done.

Bullying, dysfunctional home lives, wacky line-dancing parents, and don't forget the gang leader, Salom, who is mysterious and may not be what he seems.

A quick read, but probably not worth a shot for older readers. For kids definitely recommended but be prepared to discuss some issues ;)

[Lise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Scary book about tribes/gangs. For young adults.

[David Hawker · Rating 2 out of 5]

Whimsical Clydside morality tale. Don't join gangs: they might threaten your life. Or throw marbles at each other.

[Kiara Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

We read this at school when I was in grade 5 or 6, it was very interesting, suspenseful and has a good message for young children

[Mariam · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS WAS SUCH A GOOD BOOK TYSM MY GOATED ENGLISH TEACHER I LOVED IT AND THIS IS PSRT OF THE REASON WHY IM SUCH A GANGSTER NOW anywhoosies SALOM IS STILL MY FAVOURITE IDC.

[Lillie]

Had to read for school
It was okay but really boring

[Kunashe Dzingira · Rating 5 out of 5]

this story is really good, interesting and kind of scary . if you read the first chapter you will immediatly fall in love with it and it makes you fell to read more

[Jennifer Goldby · Rating 2 out of 5]

A children's book that highlights many societal issues in childhood, there's a Lord of the Flies-esque aspect to 'tribes'. A young boy named Kevin is drawn in by the intriguing gang 'The Tribe', and psychologically coerced into becoming part of an oppressive group, whose ringleader is 'Salom'. The author employs primal imagery to convey animal instincts displayed by the boys, such as; 'he joined in the tribal roar', 'the Rebels were no longer the hunters. They were the hunted'. More and more misdemeanours begin to creep into Kevin's life, and although he is aware of them, his desire for instant glory and gratification - the triumphant feeling of being part of a winning gang. These desires, however, unlike Lord of the Flies, don't overtake his deep rooted sense of humanity. He meets Salom's family and realizes there are familial issues. Is the author tying to create empathy for Salom? When he overhears Salom threatening to drown their rival gang leader, hears that he has pushed two other boys down the stairs, and sees him trying to 'enslave' his sister, he puts a stop to it and returns to his normal life. The book deals with the nature/nurture debate, and seems to be implying that although people are capable of evil, for some there is chance for redemption, there is an inherent goodness.

[Ida Sofie Marstrand Mechlenborg Bang Ohlsson · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a book...
When I say that it is a book, I mean that I personally find it rather bland.
By "bland" I don't mean that it is a bad book, because no matter Tribes shortcomings, it is not a bad book, but it is rather bland.
I find it bland because, not once in this entire book, did I ever feel for a single one of the characters, and neither did I feel anything special reading this book, I expect it to be caused not by bad writing, but rather by a thinly stretched plot, and a rather boring overall theme.

Catherine Macphail is not a bad author, but she simply didn't create an interesting universe when writing Tribes.

[Esther · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought provoking book for key stage 3 readers. Most should be able to identify with the main character and the tensions explored in the story. Plenty of meat for class discussion although I will think carefully about how to approach the subject of bullies and the possibility of their difficult home lives.

[Electro Space Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kevin thinks gangs are stupid but when he gets caught up in a gang fight he is saved by 'the tribe' and is made to join it. I thought that the book was probably based during the second world war because people were desperate. I feel that people can't be truly evil but Salom sounded very bad and mean to his mother and father.
It was a good book with lots of emotions and i'd recommend it.

[Mrs Shields English teacher]

Just finished this book- its in the school library it you want to read it. It was recommended to me as being a great book for year 8. I think it's an excellent story but wondered what your opinion was? Plot drive so I don't think you'd get bored.

[Iona Sinclair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite its size (and that its targeted at a slightly younger audience) I cannot get over how much I love this book. It's one of the best books I've ever read. The characters are amazing, and the ending left me...speechless. Not to mention that the cover is so amazing.

[Olivia ❤️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think it’s pretty good. We read it for my english class and are currently writing an essay on it. This book keeps you on your toes and cliff hangers. I love the build up of the characters. Especially Salom and Kevin. I reccomend this book for a short story that keeps you on your toes.

[Suzi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely not the types of "gangs" I'm used to reading, but it really made me think about what it is about gangs that is so appealing. This book gave me some interesting insights.

[Tulani White · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book made me feel very weird, almost nervous it made me feel something I've never felt before I don't know if it was the mystery of the tribes or what but I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well-written page turner that conveys gasps from it's target audience with ease; and the adults. It really was eagerly thrilling.

[Ahmed · Rating 5 out of 5]

why he was tempted to join the gang

[Emma Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I rate all of Cathy's books this way but I thought this one was truly excellent. Feeling trapped in a gang is such an important issue for a lot of people here and I think she explored it really well.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Suitable for EAL Y7 and boys.
Interesting themes around family, what causes kids to rebel.
Simple language and no swearing

[Davide]

good book

[Jeremy Barker · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reading this in english class back in Secondary School, it was one of the few books i found interesting and was filled with tension. It was a nice and enjoyable read filled with faction leader rife.

[Ellie Wade · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good short story