Skellig

Product Information

in Schools Catalogue 2023–24, 1537 in Education Catalogue 2023–24, 537 in UK Primary September 2023 and 305 in UK Primary Autumn 2023 Format This book would be better aimed at children through year’s five to six due to the content and complexity of feelings it explores. Word of warning: there are three instances of inappropriate language for primary ages therefore it may be best to either ‘bleep’ them out if you are reading to the child, or find a way to ‘delete’ them from the book. The story unfolds cleverly through the tale and the ending doesn’t disappoint. We are left with a real sense of fulfilment yet still left in a sense of wonder and reflection. Several themes are dealt with throughout the book. One such theme is the impact of friendship, mostly resulting from Michael’s befriending of the eccentric home-schooled neighbour Mina, who goes on to introduce him to the world of nature, birds and poems. Subtle religious themes are also encountered throughout, based on Michael’s suspicion that Skellig could be an angel, and the inclusion of William Blake poetry from Mina. Finally, the central theme of unknowing and ambiguity resonates across the story, and teaches that sometimes it is alright to not know the details.

My first thought after reading it was that if it had been an adult novel I would have loved it. As a novel it felt more like a very nice sketch of an interesting and magical story than what I would like from a finished book. Not that there seemed to be anything necessarily missing from the book, it just didn't seem fully flushed out, like there was more he could have done with the book to given it more depth and expanded some of the themes in even more interesting ways. Of course doing so would have made this probably not a YA novel, but rather moved him into the magical-realism worlds of someone like Jonathan Carroll or Nicholas Christopher. But that said I found this really enjoyable, but in a teasing way that made me want more of something that there was no more to have. The children’s novel Skellig written by David Almond is a heart-warming story about friendship, faith, grief and love. When 10-year-old Michael discovers a strange looking being in the garage of his parents new but dilapidated house he keeps it a secret from everyone. Everyone except Mina, his next door neighbour and new friend. The mysterious man, Skellig is clearly injured and weak so Michael and Mina feed him with Chinese food and brown ale to build his strength up. As Michael and Mina’s friendship towards Skellig grows through their visits to him so their fondness to each other. As Skellig builds up to full health he eventually reveals a secret that causes some discomfort for Michael. Meanwhile, Michael’s baby sister is in hospital with a life threatening heart condition. Michael is convinced that his sister will die from the heart surgery and is troubled by the newfound news about Skellig. He becomes increasingly detached from his friends and his schoolwork and one can only empathise with the pressures inflicted on Michael. Is there any light at the end of the tunnel for Michael? Touched with a visionary intensity, this strange, hugely readable and life-affirming tale exercises every muscle of the imagination

Michael and his parents have just moved into their new house but his baby sister has fallen ill. He is unsure what is wrong, he is unsure of what to do and he is unsure of what is inside the garage. By exploring his feelings, finding new friends and entering the garage, a new world of hope opens up to Michael.

El por qué ocurre esto, nadie lo sabe; algunos se empeñan en decir que es fruto del talento, de la inspiración, de las musas... Pero, como dice el propio autor: "La historia casi parecía escribirse sola. Las palabras me escribían a mí... La historia continuó creciendo, cobrando vida. En realidad, no planeé nada de eso. Nunca supe qué pasaría a continuación, ni cómo terminaría...". Skellig is an ambiguous yet thought-provoking read which delves into religious and spiritual concepts. The novel covers real-life issues such as the difficulties families face when a child is hospitalised and the damaging effects this has on both adults and children. Throughout the tale Almond embeds the unfamiliar and the magical within the everyday life of a child, and this combination serves as an interesting and challenging resource for children in Years 5 and 6. West, Dave (19 March 2008). "Sky One sets three major HD series". Digital Spy . Retrieved 2 September 2008. He meets a girl named Mina from across the road and over the course of the story they become close. Mina is home-schooled. Nature, birds, drawing, the poems of William Blake and her relationship with Michael interest her. Often drawing or sculpting at home, she invites Michael to join in.All these topics are covered from a child’s perspective therefore help children consider the feelings that may arise when someone falls ill, or they are moving in to a new house or making new friends.

Skellig is an emotive tale revolving around strong themes of nurture, the value of friendship, trust and love (to name but a few). The story centres around a 10-year old boy named Michael and the unique discovery he stumbles upon after entering a forbidden garage in his garden. The interesting point to note, regarding the creature that Michael discovers and which Almond does very well, is that we as readers never get a direct label for Michael’s discovery. We simply know him as “Skellig”. The clues we are given in the text are that Skellig is crippled with Arthritis; has lived on a diet of insects and spiders and is surrounded by owl pellets. Skellig continues to recite numbers from a Chinese takeaway and later in the tale we discover, through Michael, that Skellig has wings. Michael has just moved home. His sister is very ill. Mum and Dad are either worrying about his sister or worrying about the house. But who is worrying about Michael? As Michael tries to deal with this whirlwind of emotions he stumbles across Skellig, a strange creature hiding in his Garage. Along with his new found friend Mina, Michael embarks on a journey to discover who Skellig is and who he himself is. David Almond writes his characters so well. They all feel real, and deep. Even though we don’t spend too much time with some of them, it really didn’t take much imagination to feel like I knew them. On a bit of a side note, one thing that can make or break a story for me is dialogue. Bad dialogue, no matter how good a story is, has me nope-ing out so hard. Skellig is a masterclass in how to write dialogue. It just feels real.

a b Holmwood, Leigh (2 September 2008). "Tim Roth to don wings as Skellig". The Guardian . Retrieved 2 September 2008. The themes of the book revolve around friendship, loyalty, family units, faith and responsibility as well as many other aspects impacting on childhood and well-being. She finds Skellig, takes it out, and I am secretly watching her, knowing she will be in for a rare treat! Skellig is a children's novel by the British author David Almond, published by Hodder in 1998. It was the Whitbread Children's Book of the Year and it won the Carnegie Medal from the Library Association, recognising the year's outstanding children's book by a British author. [3] In the US it was a runner up for the Michael L. Printz Award, which recognises one work of young adult fiction annually. Since publication, it has also been adapted into a play, an opera, and a film. In 2010, a prequel entitled My Name is Mina was published, written by David Almond himself. William Blake poems are also in the book, the play and the film. Children will undoubtedly enjoy this book along with the unique mysterious feel that accompanies the puzzle revolving around Skellig. The book may well cover some mature content, but Almond’s use of audience-appropriate language and flowing style retains the story’s accessibility. As a result, the book will encapsulate a young audience and pique their imaginations.

I can't eat a chinese takeaway without thinking about this strange and beautiful book about an angel who seems to have lost his way.Michael becomes intrigued with medical conditions like arthritis as his baby sister has been taken to the hospital for her heart condition, and frequently visits her as her condition worsens. The distant, winged Skellig, who remains grumpy and abrasive, finally confirms his name to be Skellig and begins to open up to Mina and Michael. If young adult fiction can give you a new experience of an old classic without being condescending and purely educational, that is a good thing indeed! I find this point especially interesting because I am a Christian, a woman of faith, who also loves and appreciates science. The cool thing about Christianity and evolution is that both propose a common ancestor, and both propose a link or commonality between and among all living things. Although that common ancestor may appear different, and that link or commonality is different, it doesn't change the fact that there is common ground if we're open to it. I think Almond is open to it through this book. He reveals deeper truths about faith and evolution, about faith and science, that I didn't fully notice the first time I read this book. When a move to a new house coincides with his baby sister's illness, Michael's world seems suddenly lonely and uncertain. Ten year old Michael is not a happy boy. His family have moved into a dilapidated home in Falconer Road, which is in bad need of repair. Previously owned by a deceased old man called Ernie, the yard is completely overgrown and the garage is a danger zone, about to fall down any minute.