Antar and the Eagles

Kidnapped by eagles, five-year-old Antar is on an extraordinary quest: he must become an eagle, learn to fly and rescue the egg that will hatch into the next Great Eagle of the Mountains. Many years before, when eagles and humans had lived on the plains, there was a huge battle between the two. The eagles were driven into the mountains, and the humans stole an egg, thinking it mere gold. But the time has come for the egg to hatch, and Antar has been chosen. He must build himself a suit of feathers and risk his life to return the egg. A vaguely historical setting--late feudal Europe?--and the author's customary control of language call to mind The Hobbit. Like that classic, Mayne's fairy tale has no didactic message for the reader, but is rather pure adventure, best read aloud. Ages 10-up. (Mar.)