SOLVED. YA Science Fiction. Boy in tribe near forest contains giant cat-like animals with jet black claws. Boy finds claw which acts like talisman of some kind. After entering forest, (chased out?) he enters a desert & finds some kind of spaceship. [s]

[Shea]

I read it between 1997 and 2000. It was read as part of English class in a Western Australian school.
I cant remember why the claw was a talisman, but it was a big part of the plotline, as are the cat/creatures. There was something that drew the creatures to the boy.

Thanks for any assistance!

[Genesistrine]

Maybe The Hunting of Shadroth by Victor Kelleher?

[Shea]

Genesistrine, I think you have hit the nail on the head! Thank you so much!

[Genesistrine]

Hooray!