From the very first page, An Owl Without A Name captured my attention. Being a mother, I have indulged in a lion’s share of children’s literature and I love the gentle way themes are introduced and the joy that seems to emanate from the pages of this book.

I imagine Jenna Greene, the author having a fun time crafting these stories to awaken the imagination of the young reader. It was evident within the first few pages that Greene enjoyed telling this story.

Though the title hinted at the protagonist, the point of view from which the story unfolded was both unexpected and relatable. Greene skillfully established a non-human protagonist, Snowy the Owl, while imbuing him with humanist traits. His incessant questioning was especially endearing… as I am a mom, and this character trait immediately took me back to when my daughter was a tot and her curiosity reigned supreme. I was charmed by Snowy’s curiosity, and I truly believe any reader will be as well.

The thing about young readers is that the world truly is the author’s oyster. Children have a way of looking past the ‘casing’ and really ‘seeing’ the heart of the character. Using an owl as the protagonist would in no way hinder the young reader’s understanding of Snowy’s character. His emotions, especially due to his predicament of being separated from his family while injured, would evoke similar reactions in the reader.

Snowy is a young owl, and as he explores the new world that he finds himself in, Greene is exploring themes connected to the often-used trope in children’s fiction: the coming-of-age story, albeit from a different perspective. Snowy experiences are more than physical pain from his injury, he’s also trying to figure out who he is and his place in this world. Being displaced, he must find answers to his many questions by alternative means – “… my parents aren’t here to address my curiosity right now.” 

As Snowy embarks on this journey, Greene expertly introduced themes of separation, anxiety, fear, healing, freedom, family, and friendship. Though these themes are important on their own, they are also strongly connected to the prevalent theme of identity.

Snowy’s journey of physical healing inadvertently took him on an odyssey to discover his name, his identity. By using Snowy as a totem, Greene eloquently traversed the cycles one experiences as they mature. Snowy is introduced as a brother and a son and a member of his owl family. His identity is grounded in his position within his family. Once he is separated from them, he seeks affirmation from externals such as the Miller family who discover him after his fall – “Snowy,” Mr. Miller states. “He’s a Snowy Owl. Look at all that white on him.”, Halle who tends for him when he is displaced – “Well, hello, Marble Eyes,” a voice coos.”, and eventually, Sage the wise owl he encounters while healing – “Why do you seek a name?” Sage asks”.

In seeking this external validation, Snowy faces frustration and anger before coming to the realization that his name and his identity must come from within and that a ‘name’ or a title doesn’t define one’s identity. The exchange between Snowy and Sage in the beginning of chapter 17 was especially poignant and was a true rendering of Greene’s thesis,

• “Do you still seek a name?” she finally asks. … Sage glances down at me. “You’ve done so much without one.”… “You have abilities beyond what you perceive.”.

For me, a story is made more memorable by its characters. I do enjoy a good plot but as many years as I have been reading, most times plots are but variations. It is the characters that truly bring a story to life. From the minor human characters to the major avian ones, this book can boast of truly endearing characters. I was especially drawn to Rave and Sage, (the villain and the ‘sage’ – I am certain the pun was intended).

While both characters embraced their ‘role’ and represented the stock characteristics of these roles, they were both well written and nuanced in presentation. Rave was the fearsome eagle, but he also embodied pain and hurt and loss and reconciliation. Sage was the personification of the ‘wise elder’, from her speech to her silences, she was the teacher that Snowy needed. Both characters were the necessary catalysts to help Snowy find his voice and by extension his name.

I was especially charmed by Snowy and fully invested in his journey. He reminded me a lot of Simba as they were both displaced and hurt and at the beginning of this experience called life. By the book’s conclusion, Snowy had begun to develop his voice and his identity along with the realization that he, and only he decides his identity. 

My one caveat, which is a personal thing, is my distaste with the eventual choice of name for Snowy. Personally, I would have preferred, determination, or perseverance or “Me” (which was used in Snowy’s standoff with Rave, and I felt much more profound), but as I mentioned, this is a personal preference and I do acknowledge that. Just as I recognize that the word resilience was born from a place of wanting to acknowledge the inner strength in the ‘lesser’ group and I am positive that was the reason behind Greene’s choice of name for Snowy.

It occurred to me while reading this book that an owl is perhaps the most appropriate animal to choose for this coming-of-age story. While other authors may use dogs or cats or even pigs (looking at you Babe), no other animal personifies the idioms frequently used by humans that allude to children coming of age: leaving the nest, learning to fly, spreading their wings. I really appreciated this connection whether it was designed that way or not. I must also commend Greene on the well-researched descriptions of the habitat and Birds of Prey Care Center. It also shined a light on the need for such places in society where hurt animals can be rehabilitated.

Identity is a hotly debated topic today. Social and traditional media are fully invested in dictating what should be accepted and what shouldn’t, who you should be and who you shouldn’t, both judging the outcome overtly or subtly. An Owl without a Name, though written for the young reader carries a crucial message. It is a gentle reminder to everyone, regardless of age or gender to stay true to who you are no matter where you are on your journey, whether you are a ‘Snowy’ or a ‘Sage’. It reminds us that our identity, our name, who we are can only be given to us by ourselves and nothing is more life affirming than that…

“If you grow, inside or out, and find your name doesn’t match anymore, you can change it. Adopt another or select multiple.”

“I can do that?”

“You, little owl, can do so much.”      

Timely! Charming! Prolific!

Pros:

• Original Perspective given to an oft told trope: coming of age
• Exploration of themes well thought out and profound
• Likable, relatable and nuanced characters
• Well researched and paced
• Illustrations of various characters

Cons:

• None

         

Favourite Characters:

• Snowy
• Sage
• Rave

Cover Score:  8.9/10

Book Score: 9.0/10

Get your copy on Amazon Ca || Heritage House || Amazon US || CBC

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