Author: Kathryn Lasky
Publication Date: August 1, 2010 (first published June 2003)
Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy/Adventure
Copy provided by: Big Honcho Media/Scholastic
Summary (via Goodreads):When Soren, a young owlet, mysteriously falls from his nest one evening, he’s plucked up and taken to the sinister St. Aegolius Academy for Orphaned Owls. Once there, he must use his wits and bravery to escape his captors. If Soren can learn to fly, he might just be able to take refuge with a group of brave owls he’d thought only to be a legend—the Guardians of Ga’Hoole!
Why I read this: When I heard this was being turned into a movie, I figured it was time to read it. We have the series at my school library and when I got offered a new cool looking paperback from the publisher, I dug right into it.
Plot: Amazing. Definitely a great start to what is now a 13 book series (WOW, what have I gotten myself into?) and I can see that this series will be full of adventure. I felt like the pacing was right on and definitely a great adventure that my students will be digging into. I'm actually going to set up a display for series this month around the time the movie comes out and will be proud to say I've read at least one so far. Back to the plot for a minute though - this book was a great starter - you follow Soren through where he came from and to the orphanage that will change his life forever. I love the sense of adventure and I really couldn't put this down for long.
Characters: Soren is a great main character. He's not your typical hero - he's smarter than the average owl but is definitely not the brazen type. Soren is smart and it shows in how he reacts to situations - he's careful and thinks things through - not just plowing in and hoping all goes well. He's really young too and has a lot more bravery inside of him than I think really shines through.
His sidekick Gylfie is a small Elf Owl who helps him realize he's right about something being wrong at St. Aegolius'. I really loved how Gylfie used long vocabulary and really was not the typical owl either. I can't wait to see more of these two in the rest of the series. I may be bringing the next one home from work tomorrow. :)
Relatability: I think my students could really relate to this book in many different ways. There's a sense of adventure throughout the book, but also the characters have their flaws and are very relatable. They really are young characters and it's nice to see smaller characters prevail in novels.
Cover Commentary: I love the movie cover - especially the blue colors. Definitely a book my students will want to pick up.
Rating: 5/5 Roses 
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I bought this first one awhile back and I need to start reading, because I can't wait for the movie and I want to have a clue. I still can't believe its at 13 book series. Yikes (Even though they are small books)
ReplyDeleteI didn't even know at first when I heard about the movie that it was also a book. I've been thinking about going and reading it now because of the movie too. With a rating like that I guess I really will need to now. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteI was going to read this for my thesis (it was on children's books and the websites that are created around them and how they can be used in the library) but I ended up with too many book website combos and had to skip it. But I love owls and it sounds entertaining, I will have to put it back on my tbr pile.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you enjoyed it. Been on my TBR for awhile!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your review.
ReplyDeleteWow! a 13 book series, definitely checking it out.
ReplyDeleteGreat review, Kristen! I just bought a set of the four first book in the series like 30 seconds ago :D
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review. I'm going to have to check into this series for my son.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter enjoyed this book - I think I'm going to have to read this series myself! It's definitely right up my alley.
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