The Guardians of Ga'Hoole by Kathryn Lasky has become a popular book series among kids especially since the release of the major motion picture, Legends of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole. It's packed with action and a variety of characters all portrayed by different species of owls. The owls have human characteristics and emotions, but also behave, in some manner, as the type of owl they are. The series has 15 books plus some guides. Kathryn Lasky is now working on a new series called The Wolves of the Beyond. It takes place in the same world as the Guardians of Ga'Hoole.
Plotline
The story begins with Soren, a young barn owl, living happily with his family. Things soon go bad for Soren when he is kidnapped and taken to St. Aegolius Academy for Orphaned Owls to be brainwashed. There Soren meets up with Gylfie and they escape. Later they meet up with Twilight and Digger and journey to the Great Tree of Ga'Hoole. There the band of owls joins up with the Ga'Hoole owls to battle the evil Pure Ones. Throughout the series the original band (Soren, Gylfie, Digger, and Twilight) grow up and become formidable members of the Guardians of Ga'Hoole. They have many adventures and protect the rest of the owl kingdom from the Pure Ones.
Major characters
Soren - The lead character in the series. Soren is the leader among his friends all the band. He is a very nobel and daring owl. Soren is a barn owl.
Gylfie - Gylfie is Soren's best friend. She's with him from the start when he escapes from St. Aegolius. She's an elf owl and very smart.
Twilight - Part of Soren's band, Twilight is confident and a powerful fighter. He is a great grey owl.
Digger - Digger joined up with Soren with Twilight. He's intelligent and a good tracker. Digger is a burrowing owl.
Kludd - Kludd is the bad guy in the books. He is the leader of the Pure Ones, a mean group of barn owls. Kludd believes he should rule over all owls.
Boron - King of Ga'Hoole.
Books in the Guardians of Ga'Hoole series
The Capture (2003)
The Journey (2003)
The Rescue (2004)
The Siege (2004)
The Shattering (2004)
The Burning (2004)
The Hatchling (2005)
The Outcast (2005)
The First Collier (2006)
The Coming of Hoole (2006)
To Be a King (2006)
The Golden Tree (2007)
The River of Wind (2007)
Exile (2007)
The War of the Ember (2008)
Guardians of Ga'Hoole: A Guide Book to the Great Tree (2007)
Guardians of Ga'Hoole: Lost Tales of Ga'Hoole (2010)
Wolves of the Beyond Series (same world as Guardians of Ga'Hoole)
Lone Wolf (2010)
Shadow Wolf (2010)
Watch Wolf ' (2011)
Suggested Reading Level: Ages 9-12
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