Skellig
David Almond
Subjects
- Friends & Family - tears and laughter, and happy ever after
The bestselling story about love, loss and hope that launched David Almond as one of the best children's writers of today. Winner of the Carnegie Medal and the Whitbread children's book of the Year Award. When a move to a new house coincides with his baby sister's illness, Michael's world seems suddenly lonely and uncertain. Then, one Sunday afternoon, he stumbles into the old, ramshackle garage of his new home, and finds something magical. A strange creature - part owl, part angel, a being who needs Michael's help if he is to survive. With his new friend Mina, Michael nourishes Skellig back to health, while his baby sister languishes in the hospital. But Skellig is far more than he at first appears, and as he helps Michael breathe life into his tiny sister, Michael's world changes for ever . . . Skellig won the Carnegie Medal and the Whitbread Children's Book Award. David Almond is also winner of the 2010 Hans Christian Andersen award. Powerful and moving - The Guardian This newly jacketed edition celebrates 20 years of this multi-award-winning novel.
Reviews
I devoured this book. It is simply one of the best children’s books I have ever read. Tender, shocking, tense, funny and has the bones of truth running through this supernatural story. Full of subtle mediations on grief, death, love and belonging. Wonderful.
KateMag
Well written book.
Margeed71
I first started reading this book a few years ago and put it down too quickly. I am very glad that I returned to give it another go as it is an awesome story. I really loved Michael and Mina: they were unlikely friends but had a very special bond. It was heartening to hear of Michael's struggles with his mental health despite being a popular boy who enjoyed football. Mina is a wonderful, creative, independent girl who supports him through his worries. A magical and beautiful story.
CB54
I re-read this book recently (after having read the excellent 'The Final Year'). I was reminded why I loved this story - the characters are likeable and believable and the storyline is quite simple but so fantastic. A true classic!
RuthSettle7
I really enjoyed Skellig. Right from the start you are hooked - who is this creature and where has he come from. Another great book for Year 6, again with mature themes.
lindsay1702
Easy read, not extremely engaging nor entertaining
cicelymaytaylor
Highly recommend. Quick read. Some lovely descriptions of Skellig throughout.
mrsbradleyspag
This is my second reading of Skellig. I re-read it initially because my daughter was reading it at school and I wanted to support her in her work- long story, not for now. The first time I read it, I hated it. This time, I think I could appreciate it more and became more involved with the characters. I had also just read ‘My Name is Mina’ when I started the re-read, so that also gave me another perspective. I still struggle with the magical, repulsive figure of Skellig himself… I had completely forgotten about the flying dance and the incident in the hospital with Michael’s mother and the baby… At least I wanted to finish it this time, rather than dragging myself through it as I did first time around. 🦉 PS I preferred My Name is Mina… PPS I also just read, Paper Bird, Paper Boat - what was going on there? It was as though it was written for a completely different, younger audience 🤔🤔🤔
MairiG
This was a beautiful heartwarming novel. Full of emotion. I couldn't wait to turn the page. Some funny parts, thoughtful parts and at times gripping. It has also inspired me to do some art around the Skellig character. I would recommend this book to anyone to read and feel that it will stay with me for a very long time.
JW123
This was a beautiful heartwarming novel. Full of emotion. I couldn't wait to turn the page. Some funny parts, thoughtful parts and at times gripping. It has also inspired me to do some art around the Skellig character. I would recommend this book to anyone to read and feel that it will stay with me for a very long time.
JW123
Used as a whole class reading book. An interesting story but not great sentence structures to model to children.
MissSellers
I have heard Skellig mentioned in the past a number of times and on these occasions the feedback has always been positive. Initially I lacked confidence whether this would be a book I would enjoy but I was happily proven wrong. I really enjoyed the style of writing David Almond used in the story; the descriptive writing really helped the reader to engage in the story, the detail used for the description of Skellig was intriguing. The structure of the writing gave the story a fast pace to it with the short and quick sentences which in turn-built suspense throughout the story. I enjoyed the perspective of the story being told by Michael as you got a real sense of his emotions throughout the story especially dealing with his baby sister being poorly, family and friend relationships and his discovery of Skellig. The ending I felt worked well as it left the reader with more questions and curiosity, it was interesting to find out there are still questions the author has about the story. Providing a great opening in the classroom to have discussions about the questions they have such as, where did Skellig come from? who is Skellig? what happened to Michael’s baby sister? Did Mina & Michael stay friends?
AESINGFIELD
I have heard Skellig mentioned in the past a number of times and on these occasions the feedback has always been positive. Initially I lacked confidence whether this would be a book I would enjoy but I was happily proven wrong. I really enjoyed the style of writing David Almond used in the story; the descriptive writing really helped the reader to engage in the story, the detail used for the description of Skellig was intriguing. The structure of the writing gave the story a fast pace to it with the short and quick sentences which in turn built suspense throughout the story. I enjoyed the perspective of the story being told by Michael as you got a real sense of his emotions throughout the story especially dealing with his baby sister being poorly, family and friend relationships and his discovery of Skellig. The ending I felt worked well as it left the reader with more questions and curiosity, it was interesting to find out there are still questions the author has about the story. Providing a great opening in the classroom to have discussions about the questions they have such as, where did Skellig come from? who is Skellig? what happened to Michael’s baby sister? Did Mina & Michael stay friends?
aesingfield
I really enjoyed this novel and the friendship between Mina and Michael, and became emotional when the baby had to go back into the hospital. It feels as if there were two stories happening that came together when Skellig visited the baby in the hospital.
wilde1xx
Great for reluctant readers. Short, fast paced and exciting.
Ginger Parker
I love the mysteries in this story and this is what makes it a compelling read.
Took me a while to get into this one but once I did it was an absolute page turner. I LOVED the budding relationship between Mia and the main character, the way the impact of his little sister's illness is told from a child's perspective and the undercurrent themes of school and formal education versus lifelong learning. A wonderful read. Bawled my eyes out at the end!
LCorin
Beautifully captured relationship between a boy, a girl and a mysterious creature. Brave, bold and unique. I will absolutely recommend this to the students.
I really enjoy returning to this book, as the storyline is universal and meaningful to all ages. As a teacher, I particularly value how Almond makes intertextual links to William Blake - an excellent introduction to this poet and artist for younger readers.
jmcadam
Very easy to read, I read this in a weekend and I'm usually a slow reader! Intriguing, unusual, and thought-provoking, with a metaphysical theme that is hard to explain, but a very human heart running through it.
acooper1