THE OUTCAST: Guardians of Ga'Hoole - Book Eight
by Kathryn Lasky
Scholastic
ISBN: 0439739519
Ages 8-12
224 pages

Nyroc is on the run. Determined to have nothing more to do with his evil and often bloodthirsty mother Nyra, Nyroc wants to have a new life --- one in which he is no longer looked upon as being the son of Nyra and Kludd, but is accepted and liked for who he is. More than anything he wishes he could join the owls who live on the Island of Ga'Hoole. His uncle Soren is one of them, and Nyroc sorely wishes to meet this brave owl. He knows though that he cannot attempt to go to the island until the time is right.

In his gizzard, in his heart, Nyroc knows that there is something that he has to do before he can join Soren --- and the answer lies in the land of the outcasts, in The Beyond the Beyond.

Guided by Mist, the strange, wise and loving owl who seems to live between worlds, and by other creatures whom he meets on the way, Nyroc begins his monumental journey. In the process the young owl changes his name to Coryn and sets about doing all he can to create a new life for himself. In the background there is always that connection he cannot help feeling exists between himself and that greatest of owls, Hoole himself. Somehow Coryn is connected to the past and somehow that past will help him find a future.

With his courage, kind heart, and special powers over fire to help him, Coryn faces great hardship and many trials. Just as we followed the adventures of his uncle Soren, so too do we fly on the wings of this young owl who is trying to find his way in a world full of danger, betrayal, self-discovery, old legends, and magic.


   --- Reviewed by Marya Jansen-Gruber, Editor of Through The Looking Glass Children's Book Review (http://www.lookingglassreview.com)
Email: lookingglassreview@direcway.com.

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