A Scientific American Best Staff Read of 2023

A moving account of raising, then freeing, an orphaned screech owl, whose lasting friendship with the author illuminates humanity's relationship with the world.

When ecologist Carl Safina and his wife, Patricia, took in a near-death baby owl, they expected that, like other wild orphans they'd rescued, she'd be a temporary presence. But Alfie's feathers were not growing

...

"Sova's mother studies owls and their migration patterns, and one night, when Sova is old enough, she accompanies her mother to observe and tag saw-whet owls in the woods"--

"Have you ever read a book that's about you? This book is! You and your friend Sally like to hike together in the forest near your neighborhood. One afternoon you discover a beautiful tree that is the home to many different types of owls. Why do all these birds live together in the same old tree? They seem to have magical powers. You can ask them questions about the future, or ask them to take you on a magical journey to a far-away kingdom. Sally...

Now that Thorn has been defeated, Tag and his friend Skyla embark on a new quest, to find Blaze's lost family and the other firehawks who disappeared through a portal to the Cloud Kingdom; but the Cloud Kingdom is full of new dangers, and when giant birds seize Blaze and carry her off Tag and Skyla are left to try and free their friend--with only a magic map to guide them, and the threat of the shadowy shape that seems to be following them.