Dawn (Hunter novel) facts for kids
First edition cover
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| Author | Erin Hunter (Pen name of Kate Cary) |
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| Cover artist | Wayne McLoughlin |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Series | Warriors: The New Prophecy |
| Genre | Children's literature Fantasy novel |
| Publisher | HarperTrophy |
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Publication date
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27 December 2005 |
| Media type | Print (hardback & paperback) |
| Pages | 368 |
| ISBN | 978-0-06-074457-1 |
| Preceded by | Moonrise |
| Followed by | Starlight |
Dawn is an exciting fantasy novel for young readers. It is the third book in the popular Warriors: The New Prophecy series. The book was written by Kate Cary using the pen name Erin Hunter. HarperCollins published Dawn on 27 December 2005.
This story follows the adventures of four groups of warrior cats, called Clans. Five brave cats have returned from a long journey. They bring an important message: the Clans must find a new home. The book describes their long trip across mountains. On their journey, they meet another group of cats called the Tribe of Rushing Water. In the end, the Clans discover a new territory next to a beautiful lake.
Dawn was first released in hardcover in the US and Australia in late 2005. Later, it became available as a paperback and an e-book. The book has also been published in the UK, Canada, and China. Important ideas in the story include loyalty to your group and working together.
Contents
The World of Dawn: Setting the Scene
Where the Story Happens
Dawn takes place in three main areas. First, it starts in the Clans' original forest home. This forest is divided into four territories for the four warrior cat Clans: ThunderClan, RiverClan, WindClan, and ShadowClan. This forest is based on the real-life New Forest in Southern England.
Next, the Clans travel through a large mountain range. Here, they meet the Tribe of Rushing Water. The Tribe helps the Clans by giving them shelter and food. While with the Tribe, the Clans learn about the Tribe's own spiritual ancestors, called the Tribe of Endless Hunting. This is different from the Clans' ancestors, StarClan. This difference helps readers think about different beliefs.
Finally, the Clans arrive at a new place. This is a forest around a large lake. The Clans decide this beautiful lake territory will be their new home.
The Journey Begins: What Happens in Dawn
A Message from StarClan
The story begins with five cats returning from a quest. These cats are Brambleclaw, Squirrelpaw, Crowpaw, Stormfur, and Tawnypelt. They bring a serious message: the Clans must move to a new home. Their old forest home is being destroyed by humans. Food is scarce, and cats are starving.
Humans are building a new road, which is ruining the forest. Some cats are even being captured by humans. A young ThunderClan apprentice, Leafpaw, is one of them. A group of cats goes to rescue those who were captured. They succeed in saving Leafpaw and other cats. But Graystripe is captured instead.
Leaving the Old Home
It is hard for Firestar, the leader of ThunderClan, to convince all the Clans to leave. RiverClan finally agrees to move when their river becomes polluted by humans. ShadowClan also decides to leave after a tree falls on their camp. While trying to help ShadowClan, Firestar loses one of his nine lives when a tree falls on him.
In the previous book, a wise badger named Midnight told the questing cats something important. She said a dying warrior would show the Clans the way to their new home. This dying warrior turns out to be the spirit of Mudfur. Mudfur was the former medicine cat of RiverClan. His spirit appears as a shooting star in the night sky. It drops behind the mountains, showing the Clans their path. The Clans then travel together through the mountains. Brambleclaw, Squirrelpaw, Crowpaw, Tawnypelt, and Stormfur guide them.
New Friends and a New Home
While in the mountains, the Clans meet the Tribe of Rushing Water. Stormfur decides to stay with the Tribe. He has fallen in love with a Tribe cat named Brook Where Small Fish Swim. He also feels a connection to his sister Feathertail's spirit, who died in the mountains.
Near the end of the book, Squirrelpaw tells Brambleclaw that she loves him. He tells her he loves her too. Finally, the Clans discover a new forest around a lake. The lake reflects all the stars in the sky. This is the place StarClan had meant for them. It is their new home.
