We finished it. Yep, all twenty-seven chapters of The Capture, by Kathryn Lasky. I didn't think I'd like it. I swore I'd never admit it if I did, but I gotta break that foolish oath because ... I loved it! Yes, I used the "el-word." And it's true: I enjoyed this book more than almost any other contemporary book my kids have forced me to read to them, and for three reasons:
ONE
It was well-written. I gotta give it to her: Kathryn lasky is a fine writer and story-weaver. I expected poor grammar and syntax and yet found nothing to irritate. I expected a weak plot and thin characters and yet I loathed to put the book down and away for the night, so often we read three to four chapters, breaking curfew and loving it.
TWO
Within the frame of a great story, my kids were learning! The Capture is chock-full of information about owls and not just one kind, but many different kinds. The only thing that could've taken this experience to the next level is if we had read this delightful book out-of-doors ... at night ... covered in owls.
THREE
So far ... there are like sixteen books in this series that my kids now expect me to read aloud ... there is a theme of chivalry a'building and a battle between good and evil a'brewing. The evil is decided E V I L (there were a couple of moments of sheer brutality that I wish I could've softened a bit), but faith and hope and community are central to this story, too, as they are to any worthy tale meant to be shared. I cannot wait to discover what happens next!
So, there you have it: we loved it!
One down and fifteen more to go...!
Interested? Please consider purchasing this book through my affiliate-link, which helps single-me to stay home with my fab four. Thanks tons!
