Kathryn Lasky

A mysterious blue owl from the Middle Kingdom known as the Striga slowly gains control over Coryn's mind and institutes a harsh new regime that begins to control the learning at the Great Ga'Hoole Tree, where the Band fights to break through to Coryn and force him to acknowledge the Striga's harmful influence.

Soren and the rest of the band of owls in the great tree must fly to the mysterious Northern Kingdoms in order to prepare for the deadly attack against them, but St. Aggie has fallen to the Pure Ones and without Soren and his allies, their enemies will prevail.

At the age of seventy-five, Elzibah Swan decides to take up swimming, a pastime which enriches her life and one which she shares through letters with her young grandchildren.

Mary, the young Scottish queen, writes in her diary about her experiences living at the court of France's King Henry II as she awaits her marriage to Henry's son, Francis.