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THE RISE OF A LEGEND

From the Guardians of Ga'Hoole series , Vol. 1

Both thoughtful and action-packed, this adventure illuminates the fantastical world that exists between dusk and dawn....

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)

Pub Date: Aug. 1, 2013

ISBN: 978-0-545-50978-7

Page Count: 304

Publisher: Scholastic

Review Posted Online: May 14, 2013

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2013

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THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN

From the One and Only series , Vol. 1

Utterly believable, this bittersweet story, complete with an author’s note identifying the real Ivan, will inspire a new...

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How Ivan confronts his harrowing past yet stays true to his nature exemplifies everything youngsters need to know about courage.

Living in a "domain" of glass, metal and cement at the Big Top Mall, Ivan sometimes forgets whether to act like a gorilla or a human—except Ivan does not think much of humans. He describes their behavior as frantic, whereas he is a peaceful artist. Fittingly, Ivan narrates his tale in short, image-rich sentences and acute, sometimes humorous, observations that are all the more heartbreaking for their simple delivery. His sorrow is palpable, but he stoically endures the cruelty of humans until Ruby the baby elephant is abused. In a pivotal scene, Ivan finally admits his domain is a cage, and rather than let Ruby live and die in grim circumstances, he promises to save her. In order to express his plea in a painting, Ivan must bravely face buried memories of the lush jungle, his family and their brutal murder, which is recounted in a brief, powerful chapter sure to arouse readers’ passions. In a compelling ending, the more challenging question Applegate poses is whether or not Ivan will remember what it was like to be a gorilla. Spot art captures poignant moments throughout.

Utterly believable, this bittersweet story, complete with an author’s note identifying the real Ivan, will inspire a new generation of advocates. (author’s note) (Fiction. 8-12)

Pub Date: Jan. 17, 2012

ISBN: 978-0-06-199225-4

Page Count: 320

Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins

Review Posted Online: Sept. 27, 2011

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2011

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THE ONE AND ONLY RUBY

From the One and Only series , Vol. 3

Certain to steal hearts.

In this follow-up to 2020’s The One and Only Bob, Ruby the elephant is still living at Wildworld Zoological Park and Sanctuary.

She’s apprehensive about her Tuskday, a rite of passage for young elephants when she’ll give a speech in front of the rest of the herd. Luckily, she can confide in her Uncle Ivan, who is next door in Gorilla World, and Uncle Bob, the dog who lives nearby with human friend Julia. Ruby was born in an unspecified part of Africa, later ending up on display in the mall, where she met Ivan, Bob, and Julia. The unexpected arrival of someone from Ruby’s past life on the savanna revives memories both warmly nostalgic and deeply traumatic. An elephant glossary and Castelao’s charming, illustrated guide to elephant body language help immerse readers in Ruby’s world. Goofy, playful, and mischievous Ruby is fully dimensional, as she has shown her bravery during the many hardships of her young life. Applegate deftly tempers themes of grief and loss with compassion and humor as Ruby finds her place in the herd. The author’s note touches on climate change, the illegal ivory trade, and conservation efforts, but the highly emotive framing of the story through the memories of a bewildered baby elephant emphasizes the impact of lines such as “ ‘in Africa,’ I say softly, ‘there were bad people,’ ” without offering readers a nuanced understanding of the broader context that drives poaching.

Certain to steal hearts. (Fiction. 8-12)

Pub Date: May 2, 2023

ISBN: 9780063080089

Page Count: 240

Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins

Review Posted Online: March 13, 2023

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2023

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