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 ... Read review
Michael can feel his sick baby sister's heart beating inside him, and as long as he can ... more
feel it he knows she is alive. But as her condition becomes life-threatening and the family faces the nightmare of an operation to save her life, Michael turns to...
Postage & Packaging: £2.75 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Michael can feel his sick baby sister's heart beating inside him, and as long as he can ... more
feel it he knows she is alive. But as her condition becomes life-threatening and the family faces the nightmare of an operation to save her life, Michael turns to his new friend Mina and the strange being, Skellig, who has been living beneath the crumbling garage at the family's new home. In this most delicate and tender story of a young boy living in fear of death and coming to terms with life, you can almost touch the indefinable magic that Skellig--part owl, part human, part everything and nothing--brings to Michael's unsettled world. With the gentle touch of an angel's breath, Almond, in his first novel for children, lets his characters think, feel and believe without overwhelming sentimentality. A dream of a book to touch even the hardest of hearts. --Susan Harrison
Postage & Packaging:refer to website Availability:Free!
Advantages: Thought-provoking, warm, gentle, humorous, deeply emotional, satisfying ending Disadvantages: Slight negates 'stranger danger' warnings, a bit complex for younger children
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 ... ...
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 or ... more
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 baby sister - born prematurely - is very ill, and he is worried that she's going to die.
All in all, Michael is fed up.
Unexpectedly he finds something in the garage: something possibly alive, although he's not quite sure. But Michael isn't allowed into the garage. It's dangerous. His mother tells him to keep out, since she doesn't want him crushed under falling debris.
But Michael's bored, and he's curious too. So despite the danger, he goes back into the garage a day later and sees - well, he's not entirely sure what it is. He thinks at first that it's a dead tramp. Then this person with a white face and a black suit speaks to him. Before we learn any more, Michael's mother calls to him, and his father warns him again about the danger of the garage.
The story proceeds in this way, with gradually increased clues as to the significance of what Michael has discovered in the garage; a little suspense (it could, after all, be dangerous), and the ongoing concern about the baby. She doesn't come into the story herself in a big way, but is always at the back of Michael's mind, hurting his stomach when he thinks about her.
Despite not being (nor ever having been) a boy of this age, I could identify almost immediately with Michael. It's clear that he has been, until shortly before the start of the book, a normal, cheerful boy with few worries. He evidently got on all right in school most of the time, and liked kicking a football around with his friends in the evenings. Now he feels purposeless, worried, insecure. Not that his parents are in any way neglectful - indeed, his mother clearly cares for him deeply, and apologises for everything being so rotten. She is aware of his distress, and yet she's so taken up with her own worries about her daughter, and trying to deal with the mess in the house, that she has little time to spare for her son.
A few chapters into the book we meet the other main character of the book, a girl about Michael's age called Mina, who lives next door. Mina is about as unlike Michael as it's possible to be. She's dreamy and imaginative, creative and confident, brilliant at drawing, and knowledgeable about many things, with a particular affinity to birds. She sits up in trees to read, and has little structure to her life. This is partly due to her personality, and partly because she's educated at home rather than going to school.
Slowly the confused, anxious Michael becomes friendly with Mina. He tells her about the strange person he has discovered in the garage, and together they gradually get to know him. Nothing horrible happens - this is, after all, a children's book - although the plot becomes a little surreal as it progresses. Somehow this doesn't matter in context; the book was almost poetic in places, not really meant to be 'understood' in a common sense way.
I read this book to my sons when they were about eleven and thirteen, and we all found ourselves eager to know what was going to happen, so much so that I finished it in just a few days. It was a good book to read aloud: the chapters are very short (just two or three pages each) and there's plenty of action and conversation to move the plot forward. We also found it intriguing to try and guess what was coming; for once, none of us did.
One of my favourite sections is Mina's explanation of why she is educated at home. ' "My mother educates me," she said. "We believe that schools inhibit the natural curiosity, creativity and intelligence of children. The mind needs to be opened out into the world, not shuttered down inside a gloomy classroom." ' Hardly something a typical child this age would say, and yet it's not an agenda David Almond is trying to push: when asked, it turned out that he knew very little about home education, and had not experienced it himself, either as parent or child.
Nevertheless, the idea of freedom is significant in the book. At a practical plot level it's convenient to have Mina at home all day; it means that she's accessible for the daytimes when Michael is off school himself because he's too stressed, or unwell. At another level, her freedom from traditional constraints and her openness to new experiences teaches Michael (and, perhaps, anyone reading) to think beyond the bounds of previous understanding, not to be limited to what we expect, or even what we can see and feel.
It's hard to say what the theme of this book is, or what genre it would be classed as. It's fantasy in a realistic sort of way; there are religious overtones, yet it's not a Christian book, nor even a New Age book, although it could possibly be categorised with either. It's about hope, and love, and healing, as well as freedom; it's about growing up for Michael, for maturing and developing and seeing the world from a new perspective. In many ways it's a stunning book - and the same time, it's - well, strange. Unusual. The storyline is involved, really quite complex for a children's book, with the various threads weaving together in an enchanting way until the bittersweet climax, followed quickly by a hopeful and 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 or seven would probably have no difficulty with the actual reading.
I wouldn't really recommend it for a practical, matter-of-fact child under the age of about eight or nine, as much as anything because as a parent I was a little worried about the idea of two children becoming friendly with a stranger in the garage, and not consulting any adults. But a child who likes fantasy of the Narnia style, and who has a clear ability to distinguish fact from fiction, might well love this book. For older children, however unimaginative they might seem, there is plenty in this book to appeal. There's some deep emotion, some thought-provoking questions about life and education, and some important observations about siblings and the frailty of life in general.
This is a book to keep, to re-read at different levels by both children and adults. It makes me smile, and it also brings tears to my eyes. It leaves several questions unanswered, and yet somehow that doesn't matter. We only bought it after reading some glowing recommendations, and as I read it for the first time I couldn't really understand why it was considered so special. But it's unquestionably grown on me, and will probably be considered a children's classic for many years to come.
Published in 1998 by Signature books, the cover price is £5.99 although it's usually discounted by 20% at Amazon.co.uk. It's also available in Hodder paperbacks at £8.
Advantages: See opinion Disadvantages: See opinion
...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
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Skellig - David Almond
Advantages: Creative, thought-provoking, emotive read Disadvantages: Not many, but it is a children's book essentially
...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
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Skellig - David Almond
Advantages: magical, lyrical language Disadvantages: complex plot and language
...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
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful 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
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Skellig - David Almond
Advantages: An excellent almost magical story! Disadvantages: Can't put it down!
...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
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Skellig - David Almond
