I started reading this book because I planned to see the movie but wanted to have thew full scope of the story before-hand. Soren, a young barn owl that is pushed from his nest by his older brother Clud; finds himself captured by the evil patrol from the St. Aegolius Academy for Orphaned Owls. This academy is not what it seemes, it is not a school but an organization bent on taking control over all the owl kingdoms of the world.
Soren is subjected to renaming, the name given to him by his parents being replaced by a number and "moon blinking" in which he is made to march under the full moon repeating his true name until it loses its meaning.
Soren, along with a young Elf Owl named Gylfie, resist the moon blinking and make plans to try to learn everything they can about how the way that things work at St. Aegolius so that they can escape. They are assisted in this by Hortense, a Spotted Owl, who because of her small stature resists moon blinking. They are taught to fly by an adult Boreal Owl named Grimble who also helps them to escape during which Grimble is murdered.
I found this book to be enchanting and uplifting. The story sang to my spirit, championing the virtues of family, friendship, self confidence, and perseverance.