Kidsreads.com - THE BURNING: Guardians of Ga'Hoole

THE BURNING: Guardians of Ga'Hoole - Book Six
by Kathryn Lasky
Scholastic
ISBN: 0439405629
Ages 8-12
224 pages

Soren and his friends, members of the "Chaw of Chaws," have been asked to complete a number of missions. The Pure Ones, a group of Barn owls that seek to dominate all the owl groups in the Owl Kingdoms, have taken over St. Aggies and brought together the biggest collection of flecks, material that can disorient, befuddle and even damage owls. There is only one thing left to do --- the Pure Ones must be stopped before they can use the flecks against the owls living in the Ga'Hoole tree.

Soren and his friends are sent out to get help and obtain information. Flying north into the Northern Kingdoms, the friends break up into groups and pairs. Some of them have to find out information, others gather weapons and learn how to use them, and some hope to recruit other creatures to help in the fight against the Pure Ones.

Although they come back to the Ga'Hoole tree with weapons and information, Soren and his friends are not able to recruit others to join their cause. It is going to be up to the owls of the Ga'Hoole tree to fight against this great evil. If they fail, then owls and other animals will be enslaved in mind and body by the Pure Ones who are still led by Soren's twisted brother Kludd.

This moving good versus evil tale is sure to please fans of this exceptional series. We see Soren and his friends reach guardian status and can celebrate their successes with them. New characters and unexpected twists in the plot make THE BURNING a gripping story.

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