Helpful Score: 1
Weird but good.
The dialogue and characters in Skellig are real and the author, David Almond deals with difficult subject matter in very sensitive way. Because Michaels predicament is one any of us could find ourselves in, we cant help but sympathized with him. He and Mina explore the meaning of trust, friendship and family in this novel so it is well-deserving of the praise and recognition it has received.
This small book is pretty sweet. All I'll tell you is that it's a story about wings, shoulder blades, Persephone, evolution, chinese food and hope.
This book was recommended to me because I like "The Graveyard Book" by Neil Gaiman. This book was very much in a similar writing style Gaiman's work. The story telling in this book is superb. The book itself is a short but sweet story.
Michael and his family have just moved into a new home. Unfortunately Michael's baby sister was born way too early and she is very sick. Micheal is struggling with his parents' lack of attention as they try to deal with saving his little sister's life; when he stumbles into the shed in their backyard to find a parched, old crusty man alive in the back corner. The old man calls himself a Skellig; exactly what is a Skellig?
I thought this book was excellent. The story telling was top notch. The characterization was wonderful; I thought Michael's character was well done and even the parents were well characterized. This is a very short book but is a great littlenovella . The plot moved quickly and was full of mystery and suspense. It was interesting that the story ties in with deeper aspects of life; like dreams and spirituality. Some parts were a bit of tear jerker as Micheal's baby sister fights for her life, but the Skellig was a truly intriguing character.
Almond's writing is detailed and brings both the characters and surroundings alive; he manages to add a sort of thought-provokingvagueness to aspects of the story while brushing against some things that humanity struggles with as a whole. I was surprised at how deep and well told this little story was. It's a book that I am keeping on my shelf and it made me want to read many more of David Almond's books. He seems to be a very creative and adept storyteller.
Michael and his family have just moved into a new home. Unfortunately Michael's baby sister was born way too early and she is very sick. Micheal is struggling with his parents' lack of attention as they try to deal with saving his little sister's life; when he stumbles into the shed in their backyard to find a parched, old crusty man alive in the back corner. The old man calls himself a Skellig; exactly what is a Skellig?
I thought this book was excellent. The story telling was top notch. The characterization was wonderful; I thought Michael's character was well done and even the parents were well characterized. This is a very short book but is a great littlenovella . The plot moved quickly and was full of mystery and suspense. It was interesting that the story ties in with deeper aspects of life; like dreams and spirituality. Some parts were a bit of tear jerker as Micheal's baby sister fights for her life, but the Skellig was a truly intriguing character.
Almond's writing is detailed and brings both the characters and surroundings alive; he manages to add a sort of thought-provokingvagueness to aspects of the story while brushing against some things that humanity struggles with as a whole. I was surprised at how deep and well told this little story was. It's a book that I am keeping on my shelf and it made me want to read many more of David Almond's books. He seems to be a very creative and adept storyteller.
tried to like it
from the back of the book: "Told in lyrical prose, Skeelig is a mystery, an adventure, and a family story, in which Michael learns about nature, poetry, and the healing power of love."
This book was haunting and intriguing. I liked the way it dealt with the friendship between the main character, a boy and his neighbor friend, a girl. I did find the title character "Skellig" a bit creepy. I couldn't decide just what he was!
A Michael L Printz Honor Book; An ALA Notable Book, plus many other awards.
"The plot is beautifully paced and the characters are drawn with a graceful, caring hand...A lovingly done, thought-provoking novel."-School Library Journal
"... prose that is at once eerie, magical, and poignant>"- Kirkus Reviews
"The plot is beautifully paced and the characters are drawn with a graceful, caring hand...A lovingly done, thought-provoking novel."-School Library Journal
"... prose that is at once eerie, magical, and poignant>"- Kirkus Reviews
Good read - tough to categorize, more of a fable really...
