Product Description
Father Screech Owl hunts for food to feed his five growing nestlings. Includes a glossary of key plant and animal terms. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Night visitors
With authentic illustrations, this book is an excellent introduction to screech owls and predator - prey. It also lends itself well to elementary classroom studies about the food web and ecosystems. The only thing lacking is the screech owl's melodious and haunting call.

Great Illustrations
I read this book to elementary students during my owl programand they enjoy following the owls around for a night.Children areable to understand what an owl eats and where it lives.The pictures illustrate owls unique features like talons, tufts, and so on. ... Read more

Product Description
Celebrating ten years and more than one million books in print!

The third four-in-one edition to celebrate ten years of an award-winning, bestselling series.

#9: Nightmare in Nagano
The Screech Owls can't believe their good luck! They are flying thousands of miles to Nagano, Japan, the host city for the 1998 Winter Olympic Games - and they'll be playing in Big Hat, the Olympic arena. The attractions of Japan are quickly forgotten, however, when the mayor of Nagano is murdered at the tournament's opening-night banquet. Who would want such a nice man dead? And what has it got to do with the Screech Owls? . . . And what is the source of Nish's new superhuman powers?

#10: Danger in Dinosaur Valley
Summer has come early to the town of Drumheller, Alberta. Drumheller is the "Dinosaur Capital of Canada," home of the fierce Albertosaurus - cousin to Tyrannosaurus rex - whose ancient bones were discovered here more than one hundred years ago. One day when Nish returns from mountain biking, he claims he almost became breakfast for a living, breathing Albertosaurus! Of course his friends don't believe him, but when Travis, Sarah, and their teammates go for their own ride in the hills, they come back with a monstrous story that makes international headlines.

#11: The Ghost of the Stanley Cup
The Screech Owls have come to Ottawa to play in the Little Stanley Cup peewee tournament. Mr. Dillinger is also taking them to visit some of the region's famous ghosts: the ghost of a dead prime minister; the ghost of a man hanged for murder; the ghost of the famous painter Tom Thomson. At first the Owls thought this was Mr. Dillinger's best idea ever, until Travis and his friends begin to suspect that one of these ghosts could be for real.

#12: The West Coast Murders
The Screech Owls' journey to Vancouver had begun as an innocent hockey road trip. They had come to play in the new "Three-on-three" shinny tournament. But when the team headed out to sea to watch the first whales of the season return to the West Coast, the dream trip turned into a horrifying adventure. Two bodies - one a dolphin, one a man - bobbing in the tide. And when Nish stared down at the floating, twisting body of the man and announced "We know him!" the Screech Owls also knew they were in the middle of a baffling mystery.


Screech Owls books have won the Our Choice Award and the Manitoba Young Reader’s Choice Award. They have been endorsed by the Canadian Toy Testing Council and shortlisted for the Silver Birch Award, the Red Cedar Award, the Arthur Ellis Award, the Ottawa-Carleton Award, and the Palmarès de Communication-Jeunesse. ... Read more

Product Description
Winner of the sixth annual May Swenson Poetry Award, TheOwl Question underscores and relishes life’s transitions—from younggirl to woman, from child to wife to mother, and from isolation toconnection—this poet’s bright sense of abundance and awe, hereexpressed in finely tuned detail and refreshingly open observation,reads like a collective memory. Though private and closely held, thesequestionings are as familiar as our own souls, and in theirtransformation to poetry, Shearin has created the very "map" shewishes to guide her when she "can’t learn the world fastenough." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Gorgeous Imagery
Absolutely wonderful book of poetry.She captures sentiment without being sentimental.Even non-readers of poetry will enjoy this.

Brief yet evocative verse
Winner of the May Swenson poetry award, The Owl Question by Faith Shearin is a unique collection of brief yet evocative verse, featuring a foreword by Mark Doty (an international poet and the appointed judge for the 2002 May Swenson Award). Examining adolescence, nature, femininity, parenthood, daily life, and more, these inspirational and deftly written verses often carry a down-to-earth, narrative-event tone. My father, in middle age, falls in love with a dog./He who kicked dogs in anger when I was a child,/who liked his comb always on the same shelf,/who drank martinis to make his mind quiet./He who worked and worked/- his shirts/wrapped in plastic, his heart ironed/like a collar./He who - like many men -/ loved his children but thought the money/he made for them was more important/than the rough tweed of his presence.

A Good First Book
Faith Shearin's debut book of poems tells a compelling story. The speaker in these poems begins as a child, becomes a childless wife and ,in a final transformation, finds herself a mother. The book is full of humor and wise observation. She describes her yearning for a child this way: "I hold nothing in my arms. The nothing feels light and heavy at the same time.." The stories these poems weave together are both particular and individual (a mother's untidy kitchen, a father's eccentric love for his dog) and wonderfully universal. ... Read more

Product Description
A collection of poems about owls by many different authors. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A Beautiful Collection
I love this book, and I love owls.There's a wide variety of poems in here, from the humourous to the mysterious.

Best Poetry Ever!
Any AgeI think this is a great book! Owls are a great subject for poetry! Like owls, the poems are so beautiful! Let me tell you, I love poetry, and I know great poetry when I see it! ... Read more

Product Description
From "one of our most accomplished writers of horror fiction" (Terry Brooks) comes a new novel set in the historical town of St. Augustine, Florida, a magnet for tourists. But one site is off limits even for locals: the Tolomato Cemetery. Because behind its iron gates, history is coming alive. Grave by grave. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (18)

Good horror novel
Owl Goingback is a Native American ,of mixed Choctaw-Cherokee heritage ,and it is perhaps no great suprise that he has drawn on Native American lore for this efficient and slightly uncharacteristic novel .

Two ditzy students of the occult and their charlatan "mentor" decend on the Tolomato cemetery in St Augustine ,Florida (well evoked by the author who clearly knows the city well)with the aim of attracting a "spirit guide" but get far more than they bargained for when they conjure up an evil Indian spirit ,the shape shifting Shiru .While its natural appearance is that of a many tentacled cross between a giant spider and an octopus it can also assume human shape and sets about munching its way through various citizens iof the city.It fixates on a tourist guide ,a Native American named SSabra Onih with the aim of mating with her .SDhe is aided by the spirit of Tolomato who points the way to dealing with the spirit ,and by Detective Jack Colvin with whom she falls in love .The battle involves securing the bones of a child ,the offspring of the mating of the Shiru and a human mother .

The scare secenes are well handled and uncharacteristically for the author are quite explicit as he normally specialises in slow building terror and evocative atmospheric writing .There is also a vein of humour in the book as SSabra is frequently disconcerted by To;omato's habit of simply appearing without warning and the dialogue between them has a brittle ,bantering quality that is quite comedic if a little wearisome after a while .I have docked a point because I do not care for comedy in my horror and am not a fan of "benevolent " spirits in my fiction .If these do not trouble you than another star should be added to my rating .Its a good dgenre work and well worth reading if horror is your bag

Breed
I did enjoy reading this book.The starts out mysterious and the plot is then exposed.This book can be best read during a dark and stormy night.Owl Goingback keeps you turing the pages and you may not think about going to sleep.I would suggest this book for people who like good horror reading.

A fun read.
Owl Goingback loves horror and his passion shows in his work. I've read nearly all of his novels and I have enjoyed each and every one of them. He has a few weaknesses that I hope he outgrows-- he relies too heavily on cliches and his plots lack sufficient depth sometimes-- but he is an exceptional storyteller and a relatively new writer who is still developing. He also understands the elements that make a good horror novel and BREED is no exception. It has a creepy monster (almost Lovecraftian with it's netherworld roots), likeable characters, and the kind of suspense that makes you turn the pages as fast as you can. All in all, Goingback is a writer that all horror fans can appreciate and BREED is a fun, quick read. To my mind, he has established himself as an author you can trust for a solid horror yarn.

Monster Mystery
A Review by Matt

Ssabra Onih and Jack Colvin are the two main characters. Ssabra is a tour guide in St. Augustine who gives tours of graveyards and historic buildings. Jack Colvin is a detective living in the same town. Around the time that Jack finds a mysterious murder, SSabra begins hearing a ghost speaking to her. The ghost is giving her clues as to what is killing people, and how she must get assistance and stop it.

This book as to be one of my favorites of all time. The ending of it is a bit pornographic and disturbing, but I believe it was necessary to describe how horrific the monster truly was. The dialogue was very well done, making the characters very true to their heritage. While how she spoke didn't show it, it was mentioned several times that Ssabra had a Native American lit to her voice, which I found an interesting detail to include. Jack Colvin and Ssabra were very well developed, and while some details and characters were not very well developed, since they didn't tend to live long, they truly didn't need to be. The book gave a brief view into their life and goings on, and then something happened to them, and there wasn't much more to say about them, as the author's goal was to get you to feel for the characters who died, not love them.

This book has a very interesting plot, and exciting mystery. While some of it is a bit horrific and pornographic, it is still a book worth reading. I believe that mo matter what your interest, sci-fi or romance, you will enjoy this book, as it has beautiful details of the city, an intense mystery, and some very odd romance.

Not the worst novel I've ever read, but not the best, either
Owl Goingback has a couple of bad habits in his writing that really stand out in this book as they haven't in some of his previous novels. The first is his shallow characterization; while Jack Colvin and Ssabra Onih are both well-developed, they have been placed in a world full of cardboard cutouts. All of Goingback's secondary characters seem to be taken from B movies.

On the plus side, Goingback has obviously done thorough research for this novel. However, this is obvious because he uses every opening to put a few facts about St. Augustine, many of which only serve to jar the reader out of the story. In the first few pages of the second chapter, for example, Goingback has Jack Colvin looking for a sketch subject. Instead of describing some of the sights around St. Augustine, which would have added to the scene, he sticks in historical facts that don't weigh very heavily on the story.

While taken separately, each annoyance could have been overlooked, together they proved to keep me from enjoying the story very much.

This isn't to say that the story wasn't enjoyable; to a reader who isn't as nit-picky as I am, it would be a wonderful read. The story is exciting, the two main characters are well-developed, and Goingback has a knack for suspense. Even though the plot is pure fantasy, Goingback makes it believable. If not for his shallow characters and penchant for breaking up a good scene with a history lesson, I probably would have loved this novel. Even so, I liked it; I just had trouble involving myself in the storyline. ... Read more

Product Description
Gregory Orr's genius is the transformation of trauma into art. Whether writing about his responsibility for a brother's death or being jailed during the Civil Rights struggle, lyricism erupts in the midst of desolation and violence. Orr's spare, succinct poems distill myth from the domestic and display a richness of action and visual detail. This is soulful work from a remarkable poet. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Devestating and Beautiful
Orr's collection here covers his entire body of work, from the brilliant Burning the Empty Nests to more recent, unpublished work, in an edition that is top notch in every way.Check out Orr's nonfiction writing as well: both The Blessing and Poetry as Survival are must-reads for those interested in the artistic process and the significant meaning that poetry can have in our daily lives.Stunning.

smoke and mirrors
there are so many better poets out there-- Sharon Olds for example ... Read more

Product Description
What if you found a baby owl in your back yard? Would you know what to do? Where would you go to find help? Join young Maddie and Max as they learn a valuable lesson from a little lost owl in Baby Owl s Rescue by Jennifer Keats Curtis. The brother and sister pair just wanted to play baseball one day. They never expected to come face-to-face with a wild animal! Lush illustrations by Laura Jacques accompany this story and demonstrate the proper treatment of wildlife. This story reminds all of us that we live in a world surrounded by wild animals, and those wild animals deserve our caution and our respect! The For Creative Minds educational section includes: Great Horned Owl fun facts; Great Horned Owl adaptation matching activity; Owl life cycle sequencing activity; and What to do if you find an injured bird. Free cross-curricular Teaching Activities, Interactive Quizzes, and Related Websites are available online. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Finding its way home
Reviewed by Grace (age 5) and Ella (age 4) Gleichner with Mom for Reader Views (12/09)

Max and Maddie are outside playing in their yard when they hear a strange clacking sound.It continues and they go and see if they can find out where the noise is coming from.When they look under a tree they see a baby owl clacking its beak at them.

"That owl is so cute!" Grace said, to which Ella replied "but look at its claws, they look really sharp."

Max and Maddie weren't sure what to do but thought it was a good idea to get their mom, who was a wildlife rehabilitator."Mommy, I would get you if I saw an animal that needed help." Grace told me."But mom might not know what to do, we don't have any owls." Ella said.

Their mom thought that the owl may be old enough to climb back up the tree and into the nest by itself but warns the kids not to get too close because too much human contact isn't good.But, it is just too young to climb.So, she has the kids watch it while she goes into the house."I would take care of it because I want to be a vet when I grow up" Grace said.

Their mom comes out with a laundry basket and fills it with loose branches.She has called the fire department to help put the basket with the baby owl near the other nest in the tree."I bet that little baby misses its mommy" Ella said.

Thankfully the mother owl found its baby in the basket and was able to find food to feed it.

"Baby Owl's Rescue" by Jennifer Keats Curtis was very well written and the illustrations were absolutely gorgeous.I loved the fact that it was educational but still easy to read.Highly recommended!

Most helpful of all is the page with suggestions listed for what to do if you find an injured bird
"Baby Owl's Rescue" is an educational book about experiences young Maddie and Max have when they discover a baby Great Horned Owl in their backyard. Fortunately their mother is a trained naturalist who has experience in helping lost or injured fledglings be restored to their parent(s). She teaches them the proper ways to go about helping restore the young "brancher" owl to a nest in the tree he fell from. "Baby Owl's Rescue" has extra fun facts for creative minds and matching activities plus more educational material in the last 8 pages of the book to make it a multi-sensory learning experience. Most helpful of all is the page with suggestions listed for what to do if you find an injured bird. All the shaded illustrations add to the wonder of "Baby Owl's Rescue," a book which will strongly appeal to an audience aged 4-8. ... Read more

Product Description

Hap Wilson takes us on another journey, this time on the lighter side of the adventure trail where the bizarre melds with the sublime. Nurtured by the earlier writings of Canadian conservationist and wannabe-Indian Grey Owl, Wilson adopted a particular lifestyle of a similar nature but with twists and turns along a meandering path full of humourous misadventure. Wilson, too, learned much of his outdoor skills as a youth, paddling in Temagami, working as a canoe guide and wilderness canoe ranger, following in the footsteps of one of Canada's most revered outdoor icons.

Hap Wilson explores early days winter camping, living on road-kill, motorcycling the Labrador coast, to teaching actor Pierce Brosnan 007 how to throw knives and paddle a canoe for the Attenborough film about Grey Owl. Wilson also takes us to a few of his favourite places along the trail, sharing some intimate secrets of wilderness living. Here, Grey Owl has returned as an ever-present critic - a buckskin-clad spectre in a modern world of gortex, plastic canoes, and gear freaks.

Product Description
This is a true story about a great horned owl named Jackson who chose his adopted human family over his natural instincts to live in the wild.Jackson was born in the wild with owl parents that cared for him and his owl siblings in a nest high in the branches of a giant tree.One day, a young boy climbed the tree and captured Jackson in a burlap bag and took him home.The boy soon realized that caring for a wild animal was a lot of work and that owls wre not intended to be pets.Gijsbert (Nick), a kind man with a special license to care for owls, was contacted and took Jackson home to his family where they cared for him until he was old enough and strong enough to be set free. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (15)

Beautiful illustrations but this book needs editing
I ordered this book with the plan to give it to one of my neices after reading it to determine the appropriate age level - one neice is 8 and one is 5.The book begins in a confusing way - it opens with "Nick" (who I assumed was a boy) waking to hear a sound on his roof, then skips to "It all began years ago" then skips back to the present. This method of storytelling is fine in an adult book, but it confused me in a children's book. I think children are better served by simple chronologies. Also, it turns out that Nick is an adult but you aren't clued in to that when he is first introduced. I think a lot of the phrases/words should have been worded more simply - for example:"novel experience," "on cue," "sunlight filtered through," "camouflage."

Given the level of vocabularly, I'll give the book to my eight year old neice and ask my sister to let me know what my neice thinks about it.

A Brief Story about an Owl
I would class this book as a children's book.I expected there to be more to it, or I wouldn't have purchased it.Not much time was spent on details of each episode in this owls life. About the time you get interested in one event, the story jumps to a different scene. When i finished reading the book, which took me less than 30 minutes, I didn't feel I knew much more about the owl than before I read the book.I felt I had missed part of the story. An interesting story, but too abreviated.

Adopted by an Owl
Both the pictures and the story are wonderful.The expressions given to the owl are great and the story is very warm and touching.

EMOTION!...IF ONLY ALL BOOKS DID THIS!
You don't know me, so you probably haven't sat around with me and heard me explain (usually ad nauseum) my feelings about Melodrama being a legitimate and possibly superior alternative to the two traditional forms of storytelling: Tragedy and Comedy. I won't go into the theory and application here, but to boil it down, I feel that all art must have the ability to make people FEEL (something inherent in Melodrama but not always necessary for the two others). I say all this to give a you a sense of what a high compliment it is for me to say that Adopted by an Owl made me feel (though I wouldn't call it Melodrama).

If I was the kind of guy who used the word "Kudos" (Thank the Most High that I am not), I would say: "Kudos" to Robbyn for the clarity of her prose and the wonderful honesty of her storytelling. One experiences and understands all of Gijsbert's varied feelings toward Jackson's tentative return to the wild. Kids and parents alike will find this story worthwhile (though I had to pause for a moment in reading it aloud to my kids--because I got choked up).

The illustrations are wonderful (though very similar in palette to The Legend of Leelanau). Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen is fast becoming one of my favorite illustrators.

Read this book!

Adopted by an owl
This is the only book I could keep the interest of my [child] for the Whole book! I will be looking for more books written by Ms. Smith. I would like to comment on the beautiful pictures. They made me feel like I was there! ... Read more

Product Description
An in-depth reference to owls around the world.

Owls of the World traces the remarkable evolution of 205 owl species and their place within the avian order as both predators and prey. Major owl species are covered as well as the lesser-known species only be found in more remote geographic locations. The owls of Australia, New Zealand, and Indonesia are compared with North American, European, and Asian species in terms of habitat, adaptability and physical appearance.

This abundantly illustrated reference features:- Detailed description, history, habitat, range maps and conservation status for 205 species- Common and scientific names- Commonly known owl behavior, plus recently discovered mating, hunting and survival techniques- The nature of owls including the discovery of a new owl species- Owls in mythology and culture- Threats to owl populations- A world directory of owl species, including taxonomy and a range map for each species ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Owls of the World: Their Lives, Behavior and Survival
this book is very informative it gives information on all owls, their behaviours, their habitats, reproduction and eating habits. it had beautiful photos and detailed diagrams with labels for everything. i enjoyed reading this book very much i give it 4 out of 5 stars.

Very Nice Book
I really like this book: It's easy to read and understand, has great photos, and a very large and detailed list of owls, including many of the more rare and lesser known species.Additionally, I found the section on the mythology of owls to be qutie interesting.As far as owl books go, I think Claus Konig's "Owls: A Guide to the Owls of the World" is pretty much the "bible" but this is definitely a good book for any owl lover.

A species-by-species portrait of some 200 owl species
Dr. James Duncan's Owls Of The World provides a comprehensive species-by-species portrait of some 200 owl species around the world. The inclusion of many lesser-known species located in smaller, more specific geographic locations contrasts nicely with feature of the more popular species, making for a well-rounded natural history of the evolution of owls throughout the world. ... Read more

Product Description
The Owls Song is the story of Billy White Hawks struggles to find his way toward manhood by leaving the Beneway reservation in Idaho and moving to the city to live with his older half-sister, Alice Fay. First published in 1977, The Owls Song remains a groundbreaking work and a milestone of contemporary fiction. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Owl's Song review
This book is about a young Native American who leaves the reservation to go to school in the city.He faces tremendous challenges in a world bent on his destruction.

I enjoyed this book very much.I was glad that the book ended the way it did rather than on a negative note or on an unrealistic "dream-come-true" note. ... Read more

Product Description
This box set contains the first three books by Kathryn Lasky, which are the basis of the animated movie, Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole.

The Capture, Book One
Soren is born in the forest of Tyto, a tranquil kingdom where the Barn Owls dwell. But evil lurks in the owl world, and Soren is captured and imprisoned in a dark canyon where there is a mysterious school. It's called an orphanage, but Soren believes it's something far worse. He and his new friend, the clever and scrappy Gylfie, know that the only way out is up. To escape, they will need to do something these fledglings have never done before -- fly. And so begins a magical journey. Along the way, Soren and Gylfie meet Twilight and Digger. The four owls band together to seek the truth, be reunited with their families, and protect the owl world from a great danger.

The Journey, Book Two
It began as a dream, a quest for the Great Ga'Hoole Tree, a mythic place where an order of owls rises each night to perform noble deeds. There, Soren, Gylfie, Twilight, and Digger hope to find inspiration to fight the evil that dwells in the owl kingdom. The journey is long and harrowing. When Soren and his friends finally arrive at the Great Ga'Hoole Tree, they face challenges they never imagined. If they can learn from their leaders and from one another, they will become true Ga'Hoolian owls: honest and brave, wise and true.

The Rescue, Book Three
Ever since Soren was kidnapped, he has longed to see his sister, Eglantine. Now, Eglantine is back is Soren's life, but she s been through an ordeal too terrible for words. At the same time, Soren's mentor, Ezylryb, has mysteriously disappeared and may be in danger. Something deep within Soren tells him there is a connection between these mysterious events. To rescue Ezylryb, Soren must face a force more dangerous than anything that even the evil rulers of the owl orphanage could have devised. ... Read more

Product Description
The ordered calm of Gloucester Abbey is shattered by the disappearance of one of the resident monks. Two novices, Elaf and Kenelm, show little concern for the missing Brother Nicholas. Rebelling against monastic discipline, they indulge in secret midnight adventures. Fearing discovery during their latest exploit, they hide in the Bell Tower, certain that they won’t be found. Elaf, stumbling in the dark, trips over something and realizes, to his horror, that it is a dead body. Brother Nicholas has been found, his throat slit from ear to ear.

The Abbey becomes paralyzed with fear. The Abbot is ill-equipped to deal with such a heinous crime and is still reeling from his conversation with the sheriff, who is convinced that one of the other brothers must be a killer. After all, who else would have access to the Abbey Church? Domesday commissioners Ralph Delchard and Gervase Bret arrive, sent to resolve a land dispute. The vicious murder takes immediate priority, however, and they doubt the local sheriff’s ability to solve the baffling case. Before long, Ralph and Gervase realize that the killing is just a symptom of a sinister presence that threatens the whole community and must be stopped at any cost. Inspired by real entries in the historic Domesday Book, The Owls of Gloucester is the tenth mystery in Edward Marston’s spellbinding and richly drawn eleventh-century crime series.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Murder, deception and treason - an excellent read
First Sentence:`Do you want to be beaten again?' asked Brother Frewine quietly.

King William's commissioner's; Sir Ralph Delchard, accompanied by his wife Golde, lawyer Gervase Bret, Canon Hubert and Brother Simon, arrive in Gloucester to follow up on discrepancies and disputes found after the first round in the making of the Domesday Book.The largest dispute is over land which has four claimants.However, their visit becomes more complicated with the discovery of a murdered monk, Brother Nicholas, the Abbey's tax collector, the disappearance of a young novice, and the impending arrival of King William himself.

There is nothing I did not like about this book.Marston places us in the 11th century both in sight and sound.By his descriptions, it is easy to visualize the surroundings.You know the conditions around them and, when the characters are riding "hell-for-leather," you can see and hear the horses.

The pattern and syntax of the dialogue provides a reflection of the period without being literal to it.The inclusion of subtle humor is always appropriate and gives balance to the action.

Marston's characters are wonderful.Ralph, the newly married, battle-scarred soldier, is a realistic combination of an impatient Norman warrior and one who never expected to remarry after the passing many year's prior of his beloved first wife.In this book, I particularly appreciated Ralph learning to be a husband to Golde, the realistic display of his anger and his confession to Gervase of a personal fear.Gervase, Saxon by ancestry, is the younger, recently married, educated lawyer who thinks before acting.The two have different natures and approaches but their friendship has given them a perfect balance.With them are the egotistical Canon Hubert and the very fearful, particularly of women, young Brother Simon.It is aspects such as that which gives dimension and realism to the characters.

The plot was interesting and intricate with fascinating historical information which was interwoven with the story.There are multiple threads to the story which adds to the realism, and a very effective red herring.What is most impressive is the way in which the various threads come together at the end in a double climax, neither villain being one I anticipated.

All these elements, and the overall quality of Marston's writing, made for an excellent read.It is also nice that, while I always recommend reading series in order, with the Domesday series, it is not essential as each book includes enough background for each of the leading characters that the book stands on its own. My one regret is that there are only, to date, only 11 books in this series.I've only read five, so I still have several yet to enjoy.

THE OWLS OF GLOUCESTER (Hist Mys/Sir Ralph Delchard/Gervase Bret-England-Middle Ages/1000s) - Ex
Marston, Edward - 10th in series
St. Martin's Minotaur, ©2000, US Hardcover - ISBN:0312285426

Well Worth Reading
Edward Marston is a very accomplished writer and a knowledgeable historian. He has the ability to weave a complex plot around an accurate representation of how life would be in the 11th century in England and make it spellbinding and interesting for the reader.
The calm of Gloucester Abbey is broken when the body of a murdered monk is found in the Bell tower of the Abbey. The Sheriff is all to quick to assume that the murderer must be one of the monks. When Ralph Delchard and Gervase Bret arrive in Gloucester they begin their own investigations into who is responsible. But the killing is only the start of trouble which threatens to over-run the whole community.

Disappointing
I picked this book out of the new books section of the local public library. Several aspects of the book were a disappointment. First of all, it was too long. The story could have easily been told as a short story, instead of a rather painfully protracted novella. Secondly, I had rather expected the author to teach me something new about the era in which the historical novel took place. That didn't happen; Having read the book I now know absolutely nothing that I didn't already know about Norman England. Thirdly, the characters were superficial, wooden,and rather remarkably peevish, most of them flying off the handle on the spur of the moment for no clear reason. Lastly, the dialogue sounded contrived and unbelieveable, even supposing it to be a representation of people speaking a thousand years ago. Sorry, but I found the book to be a tedious bore.

Murder in the abbey.
Two young novices stumble upon the corpse of Brother Nicholas, a Benedictine monk, in the bell tower at the Gloucester Abbey. The sheriff is convinced that the killer wears the black habit of the Order and will not look for the culprit outside the abbey walls.

Domesday commissioners Ralph Delchard and Gervase Bret are sent to Gloucester to resolve a land dispute. Unable to let such a hideous crime go unsolved, they begin their own investigation. Soon it becomes apparent that Brother Nicholas was not as innocent in life as everyone thought. Worse, his death is connected to an even greater crime that threatens the entire area and must be stopped, at the source, quickly. To complicate matters, King William show up and a plot to assassinate the King is in the works.

**** Here is a great mystery that is set during an unstable part of history. Even though this is the tenth book in the series, you do not have to read the previous books to enjoy it. This book is able to stand alone. At no time will a new reader feel lost or confused. Only a sharp reader will be able to figure THIS mystery out before the main characters do! Recommended for all mystery fans. ****

Great summer read
The ideal novel is a perfect confluence of plot and characterization. Usually it starts with an attention getting scene or a section of character development that gets your attention and keeps it, because you want to unravel a theme, an event, or a mystery that has intrigued you.

Historical novels have an additional dimension of interest for aficionados: one wants to revel in the recreation of a time or a place or, better yet, to find anachronisms, so that one can criticize the author's historical scholarship while conveniently overlooking their writing skills in general.

Having said all of the above I want to say that I find "the Owls of Gloucester" an interesting well written summer read, but please, Mr. Marston, don't think that I believe that the 50 monks of Gloucester Abbey drink their ale from glasses! This precious fragile material so rare in 11th century England would hardly be used for holding a monk's ale. I think you mean bowls or mugs of wood or fired clay. Perhaps the abbot drank from a pewter cup, but otherwise.... I might note in praise that my knowledge of the prescribed times of monastic prayer has been increased through reading this novel. I had known of Vespers, Compline, and Nones, but her for the first time I was made aware of Sext. ... Read more

Product Description
The complete natural history of this popular species, told instraightforward text and illustrated with brilliant color photographs. The GreatHorned Owl is a year-round resident over much of the United States and Canada,from dense forests to suburbia and city parks. Special adaptations, hunting andfeeding techniques, nest building, growth and development of the young, andaggressive behavior are covered in depth. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Great Horned Owl
Great book with complete information of the beautiful and powerful Great Horned owl, size, animals they hunt, growth and development of the young, conservation ecology and very good pictures of the most prolific big owl of the Americas.

The great horned owl
Of all of the books in the Wild Bird Series, this is by far my favorite; the great-horned owl is a majestic and fascinating creature, and this book, as with all of the books in the series, does an excellent job in documenting in words and pictures its lifecycle.I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it (for the pictures alone!) to anyone with an interest in owls, or birds in general. ... Read more

Product Description
Long considered creatures of myth and mystery, owls actually are commonplace if one knows how and where to look--often no further than one's own backyard. The Suttons--husband and wife naturalist team--have created a lavish, full-color spotter's guide, with a thorough description of owls, their habitat, range, diet, breeding and nesting habits. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Better than expected
When I first picked up this book after hearing excellent reviews I was a little disappointed.It seemed skimpy, only 140 pages with larger print and generous spacing on the pages.After reading it and using some of the techniques and guidelines for owling described in the pages I changed my mind.This book is filled with gems on how to find owls, the behavior and biology of the Owls of North America and excellent photographs of all the species.I even used one of the photos to help a taxadermist model a window killed Boreal Owl from our area.

The authors Pat and Clay Sutton have decades of experience with their passion of finding owls and have lectured across the country on their experiences.They've packed the book with information on finding owl roosts, finding evidence of owls in the field, the strategies and ethics of luring in owls with calls and tapes, identifying probable owl habitats, and listing some of the best places in the country for finding resident and migrant owls such as Whitefish Point, Michigan and Braddock Bay, New York for Saw-whet Owls.

Although this book is not an in depth treatment of the biology of Owls it is a great reference for most birders hoping to find and learn more about owls anywhere in the US and Canada.

How to Spot an Owl
Owls are unique and fascinating, but, unfortunately, also quite elusive, which makes their observation quite frustrating for the beginning birder.This guide was written--reluctantly--to lessen some of that frustration.Reluctantly, because, while the authors wish to indroduce the owl to new generations of birders, at the same time they are very concerned about adverse influence that birders can have on owls.The book consists of two parts: an introduction to birding for owls, and the owls of North America.In the latter, each species that is found in North America is discussed to some degree.While the Whiskered Screech Owl, which only occurs near the Mexican-American border in southern Arizon, only has two paragraphs devoted to it, other species are covered by a number of pages.Information is largely anecdotal and easy to read.At least one photograph of most species is included, the quality of which is usually excellent.

A Great Spot
If I had only one book to buy about owls, this one is it.It is a howling success!

Very helpful to new "owlers"
I originally got this book when I found a trio of young screech owls in my favorite river area. It gives a lot of information that is USEFUL to people who really want to see owls. Kinds of owls, signs of owls to look for,crisp b/w photos, and some common sense ettiquette.Good book! ... Read more

Product Description
This collection of highly original narrative poems is written in the voice of frontiersman Daniel Boone and captures all the beauty and struggle of nascent America. We follow the progression of Daniel Boone's life, a life led in war and in the wilderness, and see the birth of a new nation. We track the bountiful animals and the great, undisturbed rivers. We stand beside Boone as he buries his brother, then his wife, and finds comfort in his friendship with a slave named Derry.
Praised for his originality, Maurice Manning is an exciting new voice in American poetry.

The darkest place I've ever been
did not require a name. It seemed
to be a gathering place for the lint
of the world. The bottom of a hollow
beneath two ridges, sunk like a stone.
The water was surely old, the dregs
of some ancient sea, but purified
by time, like a man made better by
his years, his old hurts absorbed into
his soul, his losses like a spring
in his breast.
-from "Born Again"

... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

On the whole, the world is level
This is a remarkably fun book.. a must for Kentuckians!Manning seems to be channeling D Boon, and the result is some remarkable poems as well as insights and speculations. In "The Sum Result of Speculation" is Boone's account of his land surveying ""Marking off thousand-acre parcels is a lot of paces, a lot of steps to count in your head ... I'm sad to say, walking this country for money only brought be loss; but I never once got lost.". In Sleeping in the Wilderness ... "No matter how well you dress the hide / a buffalo rug will always smell like buffalo".

From this frontier are thoughts of Boone presented about the Corp of Discoveries,Audubon, Jefferson, and 10 things he would say to Colonel Richard Henderson ("Henderson, you cur, I'll wipe that smirk right off your face.".).The final section on "Illustrations, Inventories, and Maps" shows that Manning is also a imaginative illustrator, the "ring of sadness" around an Image of Boone's foot (which is also the shape of Kentucky).

Be sure to read the notes associated with each poem in the back.These not only present interesting facts, but some of Manning's own thoughts.Finallyis an essay tracing English Romanticism through Wordsworth to D Boon .. Bear killer.

black powder reading.
i am not a reader of poetry ...in general.... i stumbled across thisat my local library and love it... i bought 4 copies from amazon and my friends are getting one.. gives you just a hint of the mind set of early frontier free thinking men (women)....

Creative Premise, Uneven Results.
I wanted to enjoy Maurice Manning's second book more than I actually did. While the premise of a series of poems based on Daniel Boone's life is fascinating, the poems themselves start to break down, about mid way through the book until they seem overly focused on delivering information as if Manning simply wanted to include more of the research and especially the letters section are just that, letters. It's less important, at least to me to stick to the historical facts alone, though historical figures can often be more interesting than any purely fictional characters. Anyway, the last few poems almost make up for the letters as the poems return back to actual poems. Read this collection for the first and last section of poems.

Don't be ridiculous--its good.
First of all, I don't think the intention was ever to be historical, so anyone expecting that will be sorely disappointed. It is a book of poetry that deals with human interactions with nature, etc. I wish I had time to be more thurough in this discription! Read it, though, even if you are just checking it out from the Library.

Fictional I know, but almost totally inaccurate - Save your money
I was disappointed with this book because although, I knew in advance that it is fictional poetry, most if the information it communicates about Daniel Boone is just completely inaccurate falsehoods. As a Boone descendant and historian, it was a disappointing read. The author appears to have written many things based solely on rumor without even doing any verifiable research. Otherwise he would not have written a lot of the stuff he wrote - good example; "D. Boone Kilt Bar on This Tree, 1760." Things he says about Boone and his faithful wife in that "poem" are untruths and writings such as this only perpetuate false rumors. I would love a book of poetry about Boone - this is not one. It is a book about some fictional character that bears very little if any resemblance to Daniel Boone the real person. The author of A Companion for Owls does not know Daniel Boone. ... Read more

Product Description
Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork. ... Read more

Product Description
Children and parents adore these cleverly crafted interactive adventures.Kids get to turn flaps to reveal pop-up surprises on every page; each book also ends with an entire pop-up scene.Maurice Pledger's artwork is painstakingly detailed and resonates with a warmth and joy.Kids will want to explore the natural world with these lovable characters again and again.Series includes: An Adventure with Billy Bunny, An Adventure with Bobby Bear, An Adventure with Charlie Chick, An Adventure with Morris Mouse, An Adventure with Olivia Owl, An Adventure with Oscar Otter, An Adventure with Polly Polar Bear, and An Adventure with Winnie Wolf.Look for Maurice Pledger's Sticker Books and Nature Trail Books. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Olivia Owl is an adventure
The product description states this is for a four to eight year old, but my toddler granddaughters are crazy about it.

Olivia is a fluffy baby owl who was lonely because she couldn't find anyone to play with so she sets off to look for another owl. Along the way she encounters many other animals who become her friends. The pictures are charming and the lift up flaps are clever.

A cute book that is sure to satisfy your toddlers.

delightful Olivia
My 2 1/2 year old has finally reached the point where he can respectfully enjoy and explore these kind of flip and discover books.The story line in this one is lovely.These books by Mr. Pledger have beautiful artwork and very skillfully designed flip ups that make the animals look and move in a realistic way.Definitely worth adding these to your 'good books' collection.

Olivia Owl is a treasure for my own little Olivia!
Maurice Pledger's artistry and craftsmanship in this book are marvelous. My own daughter Olivia loves it, of course (she is 20 months old), and "owl" has been a favorite word for a few weeks now. I keep the book on a high shelf (because the flaps aren't really made to withstand the enthusiasm of a toddler), but when she wants it she will point to the shelf and say, "Owl? Owl?" and I know it's time to read Olivia to Olivia.

I hope to add some more of Pledger's books to our library.

Great for small children!
This is my one year old daughter's favorite book!She always asks for the"owl" book.She loves to look under the flaps for other animals. ... Read more