Shadow Wolf

January 1, 2011

Gr 4-6-Fans of the "Guardians of Ga'Hoole" series (Scholastic) and those who ate up Lone Wolf (Scholastic, 2009), the first book in this series, will be eager to learn the fate of mother grizzly bear Thunderheart's beloved adopted-wolf-son, Faolan, who was born with a deformed paw and left to die until she found him. In this tightly plotted, lyrical tale, Faolan endures his lot as a gnaw wolf, but has no idea how to bend his innate bravery and confidence into the accepted fringe behavior, cowering and cringing while mashing his face in the dirt to show the required obeisance. Lasky blends her powerful skill in establishing a setting with Faolan's lilting poetry and song, revealing his tender heart and the forest's own beauty. She builds the wolf society as if it were a human tribe of both wise and blind leaders, living in a culture of cruelty, survival, evil, and honor. It is the magic of tribal strength and love that lays down the only hope for a talented young wolf. Readers will be delighted that heroes from Lasky's "Ga'Hoole" series appear to challenge the established world in this fascinating addition to the "Wolves" series.-Nancy Call, Santa Cruz Public Libraries, Aptos, CA

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 1, 2010
Grades 5-8 The Wolves of the Beyond series continues to follow young Faolan as he struggles as a lowly gnaw wolf in his adopted MacDuncan River Pack. Fellow groveler Heep is his chief antagonist, pushing the powerful young wolf through a series of humiliations leading to the gaddergnawa contest in which one gnaw wolf is allowed to join the pack proper. As in Lone Wolf (2010), Lasky favors spirituality, rituals, and observances over action, although the gaddergnaw, as well as a murder accusation, keeps the plot trucking. The returning theme of child abandonment will hit kids where they live.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)