Gr. 7-10. Wabi means white. Wabi's great-grandmother Owl gives him the name because of his pale feathers, and the two owls share a great bond: both understand and speak the language of humans. Wabi grows strong, and like male adolescents of many species, he is proud and not a little cocky. But he falls in love with a human Abenaki girl, Dojihla, as headstrong and confident as himself. Bruchac does a grand job of capturing the sweet swagger of Wabi as an owl and, later, after he is transformed into a boy, tucking in bits from a number of animal and monster tales. Wabi finds a wolf companion, learns to work his human body, and discovers ways to protect his environment and, eventually, Dojihla's people. Wolf, girl, and boy save each other in the end, and great-grandmother has a key role, too. Readers may be reminded of Nawat, the crow boy in Tamora Pierce's Trickster's Queen; this shape-shifter tale is very different, but it may appeal to the same audience. --GraceAnne DeCandido Copyright 2006 Booklist

Bruchac's (Skeleton Man) storytelling skills are on full display in this tale introducing an owlet narrator. Wabi's adventure begins almost immediately, when his brother pushes him out of the nest and into the path of a hungry fox. Wabi's great-grandmother, whom he's never met, comes to his rescue and takes him under her wing. She patiently answers the insatiably curious owl's questions, at times with stories. She tells him that the two of them share a "special gift": they communicate with each other in human language and are able to understand the speech of not only owls and people, but "other creatures toooo." Wabi becomes fascinated by the Native American residents of a nearby village, especially the children, whom he safeguards. Eventually, Wabi realizes that he is smitten with one of the teenagers, the sharp-tongued, headstrong Dojihla, yet recognizes the futility of his love. Guided by his great-grandmother, who confides a family secret, the love-struck owl attempts to win Dojihla's affection. The action continues when Wabi-accompanied by his trusty wolf companion, adopted while he was a cub-begins a harrowing quest to rescue the enslaved members of the wolf's pack and to save Dojihla's people from a deranged bear. Bruchac's tale agilely balances suspense, humor and romance. Ages 12-16. (Apr.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

Gr 5-8-Wabi is an odd owl. For starters, he grows bigger than most horned owls do. Then he realizes he can talk to and understand other creatures. He adopts a wolf pup that becomes a loyal friend and he falls in love with a girl from the nearby Abenaki village that he protects from evil creatures. When his great-grandmother tells him that he has ancestors who were humans who shape-changed to owls, Wabi decides to become human so he can win Dojihla's heart. When his owl-tufted ears give him away, he leaves the village. On his quest to discover his true self, he encounters several nonhuman monsters; rescues a wolf pack from Oldold Woman, who is keeping them captive; and discovers his own true self. Wabi's inquisitive and endearing personality will charm readers. Even when in human form, he thinks and acts like an owl and finds joy and pleasure when his human body can do something he didn't expect, such as kick very hard. His grandmother embodies the adage of wise old owls, dispensing advice and assistance in equal measures but never too much of either at any one time, and readers can see why Wabi falls in love with Dojihla, even if the other young men find her abrasive and compare her to a bobcat. They just haven't watched her as much or as carefully as Wabi has. Give this novel to readers who aren't quite ready for David Clement-Davies's Fire Bringer (2000) or The Sight (2002, both Dutton) or to anyone who enjoys reading about journeys of self-discovery.-Lisa Prolman, Greenfield Public Library, MA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.