Guardians of Ga'Hoole: The Rise of a Legend

by Kathryn Lasky

Overview

Bestselling author Kathryn Lasky takes flight once more with a new Guardians of Ga'Hoole novel - now in paperback!

An owlet hatches out onto Stormfast Island and into a world torn by war. For one hundred years, his people have fought off enemy owls from the Ice Talons, but the tide has turned. An invasion is coming, one the Kielian League won't have the strength to resist. Soon the tyrant owl Bylyric will rule over everything, and no honorable owl will be safe.

Only the small owl from Stormfast stands between Bylyric and total victory. Lyze is not very impressive to look at, but he has a wild idea for a snake and owl strike unit that just might give the soldiers of the Kielian League the edge they need.

This is his story, the story of an ordinary owl who rose to become Ezylryb of the Great Tree. This is the story of what it takes to make a Guardian of Ga'Hoole.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780545509787
Publisher:	Scholastic, Inc.
Publication date:	07/30/2013
Series:	Guardians of Ga'Hoole Series
Pages:	304
Product dimensions:	5.70(w) x 8.40(h) x 1.20(d)
Lexile:	790L (what's this?)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Kathryn Lasky is the Newbery Honor-winning author of over one hundred books for children and young adults. Her beloved Guardians of Ga'Hoole fantasy series has more than seven million copies in print, and she is the author of the Daughters of the Sea series, the Wolves of the Beyond series, as well as A TIME FOR COURAGE and other Dear America titles. Kathryn has also written a number of critically acclaimed nonfiction titles, such as BEYOND THE BURNING TIME and TRUE NORTH. She lives with her husband in Cambridge, MA.

Editorial Reviews

Mentor to Soren, the great Ezylryb "writes" his memoir in this prequel to the "Guardians of Ga'Hoole" series. It is a book that can stand alone or be read as welcome information for children who have been hooked on the books since the beginning. Ezylryb breaks out of his birth shell as tiny Lyze, a curious whiskered screech owl. Lyze's world is dominated by endless war. The evil Bylyric and his company of Ice Talons want to rule the Southern Kingdoms. They are cruel beyond measure. Lyze's parents, and everyone he knows, go to war as a matter of course. When Lyze's sister is born, he questions the necessity of war, but when she is killed by the enemy, Lyze turns his strength toward defeating Bylyric. Lyze and his friends create the first Glauxspeed Division, a fighting force of owls, snakes, and snow leopards. Lil the owl is the love of his life, Octavia the snake becomes his best friend, and the owl Thora becomes the first female blacksmith in the military. Lasky shows her readers the importance of creative thinking and speaking up, within boundaries. Old military commanders who are set in their ways do not fare well, receiving short shrift from the author. Only those with stout hearts and an ability to think outside the box need apply. Lasky allows the memoirist Ezylryb the wisdom of age, as he thinks about how horrible war is and wonders if the human race itself may have succumbed to it. The need for peace is stacked against the demands of evil bullies. Lasky fills footnotes, supposedly written by the older Ezylryb, with scientific, as well as fantastical, information about owls. Reviewer: Greta Holt

Children's Literature - Greta Holt

02/01/2014
Gr 4–6—Readers of the "Guardians of Ga'Hoole" series (Scholastic) know Ezlyryb as Soren's mentor, the venerable strategist, and scientist of the Great Tree. In this prequel, the old owl tells how he came to renounce war and become the great teacher of Ga'Hoole. Born in the North Kingdoms during the War of the Ice Talons, young Lyze is eager to join the cadets and become a great warrior like his parents. When he arrives at the Academy, however, he learns that the current battle techniques are no longer effective in against the invading forces-and there are far too many hidebound traditionalists in the officer corps. The young bird proposes a new concept-a fighting unit that includes not only owls, but also snakes and snow leopards. But, can such different creatures learn to work in an alliance before the Ice Talon invasion destroys everything? The narrative ranges from a charming and humorous account of owl chick childhood to thrilling battles to deep, personal tragedy and spiritual renewal. There are also subtle messages about tolerance and respect for individuality. Other characters from the series make appearances, including Ezylryb's lost mate Lil, his friend and companion; blind nest-maid snake Octavia; and Thora, a female owl blacksmith. Owl languages, songs, and legends add depth and realism to the fantasy. Fans of Ga'Hoole will welcome this new adventure.—Elaine E. Knight, formerly at Lincoln Elementary Schools, IL

School Library Journal

The Guardians of Ga'Hoole gets a prequel, with the history of one of the Great Tree's rybs, Ezylryb. Lyze, a young whiskered screech owl, is born into the Northern Kingdoms, where war is as much a part of life as a young owl's First Meat ceremony. His parents, veterans of the battle against Bylyric and his Ice Talons, expect their young hatchling to grow up to be a soldier, but Lyze is reluctant to step into that role. The death of his beloved younger sister in a raid changes everything. He begins to apply his mind to the finer points of war, focusing on the elements of weather and battle strategy. He further suggests adding snakes and snow leopards to their ranks. However, Lyze quickly learns that victory comes at a heavy price. Lyze's journey from egg to warrior to ryb enriches the mythology of Ga'Hoole, but it also serves as an unflinching commentary on the ravages of war. While this will undoubtedly appeal to the ardent followers of the series, Lyze's story can be read easily as a stand-alone tale. Both thoughtful and action-packed, this adventure illuminates the fantastical world that exists between dusk and dawn. (Fantasy. 8-12)

Kirkus Reviews

Praise for GUARDIANS OF GA'HOOLE: THE RISE OF A LEGEND:
* "Lyze's story can be read easily as a stand-alone tale. . . . Both thoughtful and action-packed, this adventure illuminates the fantastical world that exists between dusk and dawn." - KIRKUS REVIEWS, starred review

"Lasky continues her best-selling Guardians of Ga'Hoole series with another skillfully crafted fantasy . . . A wonderful family read-aloud as well as a compulsively readable addition for young fantasy and naturalist fans." - BOOKLIST

From the Publisher