The Capture (Guardians of Ga'Hoole #1): (Movie Cover)

From School Library Journal Grade 4-8-At the beginning of this new series, a young Barn Owl named Soren lives peacefully with his family, participating in rituals like the First Meat ceremony, and enjoying legends about the Guardians of Ga'Hoole, knightly owls "who would rise each night into the blackness and perform noble deeds." After he falls from his nest, his idyllic world transforms into one of confusion and danger, as he is captured by evil chick-snatching owls and taken to the St. Aegolius Academy for Orphaned Owls. Soren and his new friend Gylfie work to develop strategies for withstanding "moon blinking" (brainwashing), while secretly striving to learn how to fly. The legends of Ga'Hoole help them to survive, and they are able to escape to find their families and warn the world about the dangers of St. Aegolius. While the owls have human characteristics, such as Soren's determination and Gylfie's creative ideas, their actions and culture reflect Lasky's research into owl behaviors and species. The story's fast pace, menacing bad guys, and flashes of humor make this a good choice for reluctant readers, while the underlying message about the power of legends provides a unifying element and gives strong appeal for fantasy fans. Beth L. Meister, Yeshiva of Central Queens, Flushing, NY Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. From Gr. 5-8. Soren, a barn owl still weeks away from fledging, is knocked from his otherwise loving family's nest by his nasty older brother. He is swooped up from the forest floor by a pair of nefarious owls who hold him--along with many other owlets of diverse species--captive in a kind of owl social reformatory. Lasky portrays an owl world that has more in common with George Orwell than with Brian Jacques, offering readers big questions about human social psychology and politics along with real owl science. Broad themes related to the nature of personal choice, the need for fellowship based on love and trust, and sharing knowledge with one's peers are presented compellingly and with swift grafting to the animal adventure story. Developmentally linked celebrations (such as "First Fur" and "First Meat"), methods devised for brain-washing (including the regimental marching of sleepy owls by moonlight), and the diverse landscapes in which owls makes their homes come to life here as Soren rebels against his captors, makes a friend, and executes the first stage of his planned liberation and family reconciliation. Readers will look forward to upcoming installments. Francisca Goldsmith Copyright American Library Association. All rights reserved ϡ쯦랠 A Classic Hero Mythology About The Fight Between Good And Evil, Guardians Of Ga'hoole Is Filled With Adventure, Suspense, And Heart. Soren Is Born In The Forest Of Tyto, A Tranquil Kingdom Where The Barn Owls Dwell. But Evil Lurks In The Owl World, Evil That Threatens To Shatter Tyto's Peace And Change The Course Of Soren's Life Forever.soren Is Captured And Taken To A Dark And Forbidding Canyon. It's Called An Orphanage, But Soren Believes It's Something Far Worse. He And His Friend Gylfie Know That The Only Way Out Is Up. To Escape, They Will Need To Do Something They Have Never Done Before -- Fly.and So Begins A Magical Journey. Along The Way, Soren And Gylfie Meet Twilight And Digger. The Four Owls Band Together To Seek The Truth And Protect The Owl World From Unimaginable Danger. Ga'Hoole is a classic hero mythology about the fight between good and evil. This new version of The Capture will feature art from the movie, due out in September 2010! After Soren, a young owlet, is pushed from his family's nest by his older brother, he's plucked from the forest floor by agents from a mysterious school, the St. Aegolius Academy for Orphaned Owls. When Soren arrives at St. Aggie's, he suspects there is more to the school than meets the eye. He and his new friend, the clever and scrappy Gylfie, find out that St. Aggie's is actually a training camp where the school's leader can groom young owls to help achieve her goal?to rule the entire owl kingdom When Soren, a barn owl, arrives at St. Aggie's, a school for orphaned owls, he suspects trouble and with his new friend, a clever elf owl named Gylfie, embarks on a perilous journey to save all owls from the danger at St. Aggie's