"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."School Library Journal

"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."Booklist

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 change Soren's life forever.

Soren is captured and taken to a dark and forbidding canyon where there is a mysterious school. It's called an
orphanage, but Soren believes it's something far worse.

He and his new friend, the clever and scrappy Gylfie, find out that the orphanage is actually a training camp. Soren
and Gylfie know that the only way out is up. To escape, they will need to do something these fledglings have never
done beforefly. 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, be reunited with their families, and protect the owl world from unimaginable
danger.

Kathryn Lasky has written many books, both fiction and nonfiction. Among her fiction books are The Night Journey, a winner of the National Jewish Book Award, and Beyond the Burning Time, an ALA Best Book for Young Adults. She often collaborates with her husband, photographer Christopher Knight, on her nonfiction books, which have won the Newberry Honor among other awards. They live in Cambridge, Massachusetts.