Skellig - David Almond

Skellig is a remarkable story, unlike anything I have ever read before. It's told from the point of view of Michael, a boy of about eleven or twelve, who is struggling with many difficult issues. His family have just moved house, to a place that needs a vast amount of work and so looks a real mess. He hates having left behind his friends, although he's still attending his old school; that in itself means a long journey each day. Worst of all, his ...
...encouraging ending. Skellig is suitable for anyone who likes a good, imaginative story, although it's probably intended mainly for children of around 10-14, roughly the ages of Michael and Mina. The emotions involved, some of the complex language, and the thought-provoking ending might make it a little confusing for a child much younger than this. Having said that, it's only 170 pages and the text isn't too small, so a fluent reader as young as six ...

Kukana 19.01.2004 · Read full review
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Review of Skellig - David Almond

...he finds within. It’s Skellig. Skellig begs him to tell no one that he’s there and instinctively Michael senses that there’s something strange, something special about this scruffy, ragged man and he keeps the secret from his parents. He tries to help Skellig, although he’s half afraid and half excited, bringing him medicine and food and drink. One evening whilst sneaking food down to the garage he tries to help Skellig to a more comfortable position ...
...he can no longer help Skellig alone. He can trust only Mina with his secret. Mina is the child of their eccentric new neighbours. She and her mother are rather unconventional and Mina doesn’t go to school, she’s educated by her mother under the guidance of the writings of William Blake. It’s interesting to see that a strictly formal education is questioned in Skellig and rather than found wanting is found incomplete. Older children and adults will ...

jillmurphy 19.07.2002 · Read full review
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Review of Skellig - David Almond

...wilderness of a garden. But Skellig is no ordinary angel. Disgusting creature, vermin-ridden, living off blue-bottles, spiders and mice, appearances may be deceiving. 'Arthur-itis' and the remains of a black suit hide the true wings and angel-form of a creature from another world. Another striking character in this book is that of Mina, Michael's new friend and next-door neighbour. She helps Michael bring Skellig back to health, by feeding him Chinese ...
...books. On the other hand Skellig seems based on the story David Almond's mother told him as a child, that his shoulder blades were where his wings used to be and where they will one day grow again. The story is at times very dark, with Michael, Mina and Skellig's midnight wanderings, the life of the baby very fragile... at times questioning faith and what is real. 'I took my hand away and tucked the covers around her again. her face was dead white ...

e_coleuk 16.05.2005 · Read full review
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Review of Skellig - David Almond

...new best friend Mina (female). Skellig (male) is portrayed as being very old and frail. Overview: Michael has just moved house and his baby sister is ill. He finds a strange 'being' in his garage (Skellig), he and his friend Mina care for Skellig and help him grow stronger. Michael learns about nature, poetry and the healing power of love. - What the book offers a child reader and how it takes a reader forward: - The main themes of the book are ...
...- The character of Skellig is surrounded by a great deal of mystery and this excites the reader and makes them want to read on to try and find out a bit more about his character. The truth about Skellig is not revealed until the end of the book and the build up will engage and intrigue the reader. - How involved were you in the book? In what ways does it appeal to you as a reader? - The mysterious character of Skellig was particularly engaging ...

ilusvm 30.04.2006 · Read full review
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Review of Skellig - David Almond

This book really touched me, I think it must be one of the best books that I have ever read. It is about a boy called Michael who moves house. His baby sister is seriously ill and he feels helpless. Then he enters his garage and there in between the rubbage and cobwebs, lies a ...thing! Michael has to find out if this thing is a strange human being or an even stranger kind of beast. Michael makes a friend, Mina who helps him carry the thing out ...
...are about to drastically change. This story is simply outstanding, it grips you from beginning to end, the style in which Almond writes is beautiful and outstanding. I would recommend this book to younger teenagers , I think that if you pick this book up, you are guaranteed not to put it down for a long time(or at least not until you have finished it!) A great buy!!!!!! ...

csc2000 27.08.2000 · Read full review
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Review of Skellig - David Almond

...looking at the cover of Skellig I thought it was going to be a horror story, I tried to avoid it but in the end I got it out of the library and finished it the same night! It's excellently written and contains really interesting facts which I wowed my teachers with! The Skellig is a man that got left in a garage for about 50 years and one day when a new boy moves into the house, that the garage is attached too, he finds Skellig inside. Once Joe ...
...As Joe gets too know Skellig he introduces him to Mia (neighbour) who helps Skellig and takes him to a loft her Grandfather has left her in his will. I would love to tell you more but I don't want to ruin it for you, but it was definetly worth the read. A definite must, you won't be able to put it down! The main thrust of the story is Who or What is Skellig? "25 and 36 nectar of the Gods" Title: Skellig Author: David Almond ...

Willow_Wiccan 09.10.2001 · Read full review
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Review of Skellig - David Almond

...with a heart defect. Skellig is a part human, part owl who lives under the crumbling garage in Michael's new house. With his new friend Mina he befriends Skellig and this book is typical of David Almonds books. They all seem to tug at your emotions and you feel as though you are inside the book. The book suddenly has got a more deeper, more meaningful edge to it that you just dont get in another authors book. It's no wonder that this book won the ...

klapaucius 23.07.2003 · Read full review
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Review of Skellig - David Almond