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Tribes
Percy’s father, a famous anthropologist, died in Africa four years ago; and Percy has taken on his father’s eyes to see the world as a brilliant Observer. He and his friend Elissa are fascinated by the ritualistic world called Grade the Jock tribe; the Teacher tribe; the Born Again tribe; the Cool and Detached tribe; the Lipstick/Hairspray tribe, not to mention Mr. Verplaz, the Shaman. For Percy it’s crucial to withdraw, analyze, and remain above it all. But wait–he’s studying real people, who complicate things. Like Elissa, the only person who can come close to him, maybe too close. The only person who knows how painful it was last year when their best friend Willard died. As graduation approaches, the looming ritual ratchets up Percy’s deepest, hidden feelings and reveals the truth about his father’s disappearance.
From the Hardcover edition.
From the Hardcover edition.
144 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 11, 2002
6 people are currently reading
256 people want to read
About the author
Arthur Slade
73 books523 followersArthur Slade was raised in the Cypress Hills of southwest Saskatchewan and began writing at an early age. He is the author of the bestselling The Hunchback Assignments series of books, Dust (which won the Governor General's award), Tribes and Jolted. He lives in Saskatoon, Canada (which really is a real place). Join his creative & somewhat clever newsletter at: what a zany newsletter!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
January 3, 2023
Arthur Slade is one of my favorite children's/teen authors. His books are imaginative, unique and always a great read. I read my first Slade book when Dust won the Governor General's Literary Award back in 2001. I loved it so much I picked up this one, and was not disappointed.
This is the story of Percy Montmount Jr. and his friend Elissa who are in their final year of high school. Percy, whose father was an anthropologist, examines the social environment of high school through the eyes and methods of an anthropologist. The names of the tribes, and the social commentary associated with them, is hilarious. Some of the tribes are:
The Busybody Tribe
The Logo Tribe - exists to only wear name brands.
The Digerati Tribe - Worships bytes and silicon Chips.
The Lipstick/Hairspray Tribe
The Gee-The-Seventies-Were-Great-Even-Though-I Wasn't-Born-Yet Tribe
The Hockey Tribe - Subdivided into Canadians, Oilers, Rangers and 32 sub clans.
The Jesus Freaks
The Madonna Tribe (But in decline and near extinct)
Join Percy and Elissa as they navigate their senior year, and as Percy must come to grips with his own anthropological reality. This is a great fun and very enjoyable read.
Note: This review was written in 2009.
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by Arthur Slade. As well as author profile and interview with Art.
This is the story of Percy Montmount Jr. and his friend Elissa who are in their final year of high school. Percy, whose father was an anthropologist, examines the social environment of high school through the eyes and methods of an anthropologist. The names of the tribes, and the social commentary associated with them, is hilarious. Some of the tribes are:
The Busybody Tribe
The Logo Tribe - exists to only wear name brands.
The Digerati Tribe - Worships bytes and silicon Chips.
The Lipstick/Hairspray Tribe
The Gee-The-Seventies-Were-Great-Even-Though-I Wasn't-Born-Yet Tribe
The Hockey Tribe - Subdivided into Canadians, Oilers, Rangers and 32 sub clans.
The Jesus Freaks
The Madonna Tribe (But in decline and near extinct)
Join Percy and Elissa as they navigate their senior year, and as Percy must come to grips with his own anthropological reality. This is a great fun and very enjoyable read.
Note: This review was written in 2009.
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by Arthur Slade. As well as author profile and interview with Art.
October 21, 2014
I am going to start out with a minor problem that bugged me, but that may be due to the translation, not the actual original writing. The swear words given into Elissa's mouth were really childish and girlie, as opposed to her description as a free spirit...
But otherwise, a stellar book, especially in its own genre. Well, I have been debating with myself, whether I can actually find some books, where I don't necessarily like the main character / I don't see them as perfect, yet I like the book. Tribes is a prime example for that kind of book. Perk isn't a character I hated, but I did find him annoying and flawed. But: 1) he was not put on a pedestal, 2)there was a complete world built up behind his erratic behaviour, psychological motives and such. These two things save these types of books and characters, at least for me.
It was amazing how Slade could write a book in a first person singular point of view, but could actually make us feel that not all of the people whom he looks down on or whom he finds silly are mean or stupid.
I love its psychological aspects. It was written down beautifully, in an understandable way for youngsters, how a maniac could be born, and how a maniac works and sees the world. Someone who puts his wicked ideas before anything else, even his companions, someone who makes a huge thing out of something little, something extraordinary. I mean, all he did, was just labeling kids at school. But in his eyes, it's more, it's almost sacred. Especially since he started doing this as something to take his mind off of something he did not want to think about.
I didn't find the ending too abrupt, either. Or at least not in the bad sense of the word. I believe that, if a maniac gives up their obsession, it CAN happen like this, so fast...
But otherwise, a stellar book, especially in its own genre. Well, I have been debating with myself, whether I can actually find some books, where I don't necessarily like the main character / I don't see them as perfect, yet I like the book. Tribes is a prime example for that kind of book. Perk isn't a character I hated, but I did find him annoying and flawed. But: 1) he was not put on a pedestal, 2)there was a complete world built up behind his erratic behaviour, psychological motives and such. These two things save these types of books and characters, at least for me.
It was amazing how Slade could write a book in a first person singular point of view, but could actually make us feel that not all of the people whom he looks down on or whom he finds silly are mean or stupid.
I love its psychological aspects. It was written down beautifully, in an understandable way for youngsters, how a maniac could be born, and how a maniac works and sees the world. Someone who puts his wicked ideas before anything else, even his companions, someone who makes a huge thing out of something little, something extraordinary. I mean, all he did, was just labeling kids at school. But in his eyes, it's more, it's almost sacred. Especially since he started doing this as something to take his mind off of something he did not want to think about.
I didn't find the ending too abrupt, either. Or at least not in the bad sense of the word. I believe that, if a maniac gives up their obsession, it CAN happen like this, so fast...
January 4, 2012
I'm a little more than half done - no idea what page number (Kindle doesn't do page numbers). The principal character's arms' length (or longer) look at life is really dominant and it is annoying, on purpose, I'm sure. Perk is dealing with a lot - the death of his father and his best friend who committed suicide. And then the alienation, bullying, wandering of high school - he's got his hands full.
Do I know how the book ends? Probably. Will it be worth it? I'm not sure. The book is a quick read - I've read the half of the book in spare moments - in one day, a busy day.
I finished the book - there was a twist toward the end of the book that maybe I should have seen coming, but I didn't.
I'm glad I finished the book, and I would give it a weak recommendation. It takes the whole teen angst to a whole new level - that is both way overly intellectual and immature. Yeah, high school is a turbulent, disturbing time for everyone, including those who have to deal with the teens. Still, this teen seemed to take the whole attitude to a way over the top level.
I think this could have been a much better book, still . . . sort of haunting.
Do I know how the book ends? Probably. Will it be worth it? I'm not sure. The book is a quick read - I've read the half of the book in spare moments - in one day, a busy day.
I finished the book - there was a twist toward the end of the book that maybe I should have seen coming, but I didn't.
I'm glad I finished the book, and I would give it a weak recommendation. It takes the whole teen angst to a whole new level - that is both way overly intellectual and immature. Yeah, high school is a turbulent, disturbing time for everyone, including those who have to deal with the teens. Still, this teen seemed to take the whole attitude to a way over the top level.
I think this could have been a much better book, still . . . sort of haunting.
July 1, 2009
The novel is good: good concept, occasional realistic dialogue...a good story. Still, the ending felt very rushed to me, and it seemed like after all the work Slade did early on, the payoff should have been bigger, somehow. I'm all for the idea of understated writing, and letting your audience deal with twists on their own rather than on the page, but I think that this twist in particular maybe needed a bit more text-space to work.
July 5, 2012
Reading and writing a review of this novel is one optional assignment in my Social Context of Schooling course for Education students, because it is a brilliant depiction of high school life, and why teens sometimes act out. Story follows high school protagonist as he undertakes a anthropological study of his own high school, carefully documenting the interactions of the different, sometimes warring factions/subcultures (i.e, tribes). If you read it, I won't make you write a paper on it though.
December 2, 2011
4.5 stars...a great book. I loved the anthropology notes (as a former anthro student!), loved Percy. Actually brought tears to my eyes a couple times.
October 12, 2019
What a fantastical way for a teen to live with his father's betrayal.
Percy's 'coping mechanism' for his father's betrayal was to believe he died in Africa from a tsetse fly bite. The stresses of Year 12 coupled with this and the death by suicide of his best friend, cause Percy to come to breaking point.
I loved the descriptive way Percy spoke (and thought). A great way to hide history lessons. Percy liked to think of himself as another Charles Darwin and took offense, which made me chuckle, when compared to Einstein.
What comes from the pen of Arthur Slade never ceases to astound me. He writes in different genres and does justice to each. Happy reading. Annemarie
I receive this book free from the author and have chosen to leave a review.
Percy's 'coping mechanism' for his father's betrayal was to believe he died in Africa from a tsetse fly bite. The stresses of Year 12 coupled with this and the death by suicide of his best friend, cause Percy to come to breaking point.
I loved the descriptive way Percy spoke (and thought). A great way to hide history lessons. Percy liked to think of himself as another Charles Darwin and took offense, which made me chuckle, when compared to Einstein.
What comes from the pen of Arthur Slade never ceases to astound me. He writes in different genres and does justice to each. Happy reading. Annemarie
I receive this book free from the author and have chosen to leave a review.
October 13, 2019
Már régóta el akartam olvasni, és bár kicsit másra számítottam korábban (más sztorira emlékeztem, de mielőtt elkezdtem volna, azért elolvastam az ismertetőjét). Felüdülést jelentett a Sovay után, hamar kiolvastam. Hm. Tetszett ez a könyv, bár a vége felé már kezdett kicsit sok lenni ennyi “törzses dolog”. Ez alatt (azt hiszem) arra gondolok, hogy a srác (Percy) teljesen erre volt beállva, és nem tudott elvonatkoztatni. Mert bár lehet, hogy figyelte az embereket, de valójában lövése sem volt magáról az emberi… Természetről? Lélekről? Arra gondolok, hogy Elissa közeledését is elég érdekesen fogadta… Azt hiszem, hogy igazából nem volt tisztában az emberi “viselkedéssel”. (Ennél jobban most nem tudom megfogalmazni.)
December 26, 2018
This imaginative book follows quirky teenager Percy who is observing high school as though he is anthropological researcher. It could be funny if his story weren't so sad: He's lost his dad, and his best friend committed suicide. This disconnected view of the world is his way of coping. Set at a renamed version of Nutana School in Saskatoon, the setting was deeply familiar to me which is always fun because fiction is so rarely set in my home town. My only complaint is that the ending seems rushed - the twist is a bit hard to believe and some further discussion of coping mechanisms and metal illness would have been nice.
January 10, 2019
I have never related more to a character before than I have to Percy. I'm a grade 12 student in Canada as well and I'm fascinated by anthropology. One of my earliest obsessions was Australopithicus afarensis (Lucy) which was what initially got me into anthropology. The similarities between me and Percy had me shook.
This book was incredible. I almost have no words. It is an extremely entertaining read as it can often be really funny but also really sad at other times. It's also really short... I picked it up in the morning and finished it by the time I got home from school, which means that it's a really good quick-read. The story is very original. I highly recommend it.
This book was incredible. I almost have no words. It is an extremely entertaining read as it can often be really funny but also really sad at other times. It's also really short... I picked it up in the morning and finished it by the time I got home from school, which means that it's a really good quick-read. The story is very original. I highly recommend it.
September 4, 2018
Read as prep for English 8 - possible novel study.
Interesting premise, twist ending. I can see how it might be both intriguing and polarizing to read this as a group, in a classroom comprised of "members" of many "tribes" (as named in the book: Logo, Grunge, Digerati, Lipstick/Hairspray, Hockey, etc.).
Interesting premise, twist ending. I can see how it might be both intriguing and polarizing to read this as a group, in a classroom comprised of "members" of many "tribes" (as named in the book: Logo, Grunge, Digerati, Lipstick/Hairspray, Hockey, etc.).
January 19, 2020
Fantastic YA title
Written from the narrator's point of view, we experience 1st hand the teenage mind and angst have a young man who has a unique way of dealing with the tragedies of his life. Percy Montmount has an usual way of dealing with the day today challenges of high school.But there is also something deeply disturbing in his mind.
Written from the narrator's point of view, we experience 1st hand the teenage mind and angst have a young man who has a unique way of dealing with the tragedies of his life. Percy Montmount has an usual way of dealing with the day today challenges of high school.But there is also something deeply disturbing in his mind.
not-in-pima-okc-wi-but-want
December 16, 2019Not Found
June 11, 2020
Very interesting book. Thought provoking.
October 28, 2020
Interesting concept. Shows the struggle of growing up, fitting in, transitioning to new stage, rites of passage. Explores profound grief.
May 11, 2025
Érdekes volt, vicces, és rövid.
Váratlan fordulattal a végén.
Szerettem a szarkazmusát, a külvilág törzsi felfogását és bemutatását.
Szerettem a végkifejletet.
Szóval, jó volt.
Váratlan fordulattal a végén.
Szerettem a szarkazmusát, a külvilág törzsi felfogását és bemutatását.
Szerettem a végkifejletet.
Szóval, jó volt.
November 28, 2014
This was my second time reading the book. Percy, the main character is a troubled youth just about to graduate from grad 12. He has one friend, a girl named Elissa. His other friend, Will, committed suicide a while ago. Percy is an observer who classifies his fellow students according to which 'tribe' they belong to -- Jock, Busybody, Lipstick/Hairspray, and so on. Percy's mother is into meditation, yoga, sweat lodges, and listening to her shaman. Percy's father is dead ... or is he? The book is funny and sad at the same time.
August 31, 2008
This is a good young adult novel about identity, family, friendship and the confusing social codes of high school. Slade transcends jock/preppy/punk social categories and tackles social confusion via an anthropology theme. The first person narration provides a bit of literary complexity and would serve as a great introduction to the unreliable narrator voice. I recommend this for grade 9 English (or reluctant readers in 10 or 11).
February 18, 2010
The book had some very good points on how children deal with multiple family issues. My only concern is this book may be difficult to follow for the less sarcastic....it was nice to read a not-so-simple book.
December 28, 2015
3.5 STARS
The ending was obvious to me and felt rushed once I got there, but I still really enjoyed reading it, and was vaguely creeped out through most of it, because of rather than in spite of the fact that I could see what was coming.
The ending was obvious to me and felt rushed once I got there, but I still really enjoyed reading it, and was vaguely creeped out through most of it, because of rather than in spite of the fact that I could see what was coming.
March 26, 2012
i almost put this book down because of the overwhelming weight of the anthropology/science jargon...but i'm glad i didn't! the surprise twist at the end made bogging through all the superflous words completely worth it!
May 13, 2013
Arthur Slade is awesome. This book was charming and clever and heartbreaking... A very honest look at divorce and suicide and how one teen decided to cope. All the anthropological speak was entertaining.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 15, 2013
The main character in this book, Percy, reminds me of Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory, if Sheldon was an anthropologist. And still in high school. The book is about Percy's last week of high school and figuring out who he is. It was an ok read.
October 10, 2007
A very quick read. Percy is a likeable, unreliable narrator. I love his friend's name (Elissa)!
Want to read
December 16, 2009Reading Rants Underappreciated Teen Books
February 7, 2010
Tightly written YA, great voice. Particularly well-balanced story elements lead the reader to a heart-felt ending.
December 29, 2011
Cute, but I probably would not read it again.
May 8, 2014
liked the concept but pretty basic. didn't tell me anything i didn't know.
Want to read
October 4, 2017I have not read this
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews