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 and is now a major Sky1 feature film, starring Tim Roth and John Simm. David Almond is also winner of the 2010 Hans Christian Andersen award.
Skellig
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"I thought he was dead. He was sitting with his legs stretched out and his head tipped back against the wall. He was covered with dust and webs like everything else and his face was thin and pale. Dead bluebottles were scattered on his hair and shoulders. I shined the flashlight on his white face and his black suit."
This is Michael's introduction to Skellig, the man-owl-angel who lies motionless behind the tea chests in the abandoned garage in back of the boy's dilapidated new house. As disturbing as this discovery is, it is the least of Michael's worries. The new house is a mess, his parents are distracted, and his brand-new baby sister is seriously ill. Still, he can't get this mysterious creature out of his mind--even as he wonders if he has really seen him at all. What unfolds is a powerful, cosmic, dreamlike tale reminiscent of Madeleine L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time. British novelist David Almond works magic as he examines the large issues of death, life, friendship, love, and the breathtaking connections between all things.
Amidst the intensity and anxiety of his world, Michael is a normal kid. He goes to school, plays soccer, and has friends with nicknames like Leakey and Coot. It's at home where his life becomes extraordinary, with the help of Skellig and Mina, the quirky, strong-willed girl next door with "the kind of eyes you think can see right through you." Mina and her mother's motto is William Blake's "How can a bird that is born for joy / Sit in a cage and sing?" This question carries us through the book, as we see Michael's baby sister trapped in a hospital incubator; as we see the exquisite, winged Skellig crumpled in the garage; as we meet Mina's precious blackbird chicks and the tawny owls in her secret attic; and as we finally see a braver, bolder Michael spread his wings and fly. Skellig was the Whitbread Award's 1998 Children's Book of the Year, and this haunting novel is sure to resonate with readers young and old. (Ages 10 and older) --Karin Snelson --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
From Publishers Weekly
British author Almond confidently narrates this recording of his first novel for young people. Michael and his family have just moved to a new home, which proves more dramatic than any of them had imagined. The house is a true fixer-upper, and Michael's new baby sister, born prematurely, is seriously ill. While his parents are consumed with worry about the baby, Michael is left alone with his own fears. But when he explores the house's crumbling garage, he discovers a frail creature with wings who becomes a most magical friend. It's hard to say whether the creature, which eventually introduces itself as Skellig, is a man, an angel or a ghost. As Michael and his new neighbor Mina spend time with Skellig, they learn about the transforming power of caring and love as they tend to Skellig's infirmities and cater to his fondness for Chinese takeout. Part mystery, part fantasy, Almond's story is made all the more memorable by his easygoing delivery and distinctive accent. Ages 8-up. (Apr.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.
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First Sentence
I FOUND HIM IN THE GARAGE ON A Sunday afternoon. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt
I FOUND HIM IN THE GARAGE ON A Sunday afternoon. Read the first page
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By A Customer
Format:Paperback
I recommend Skellig for 10-14 years old boys and girls. If you like mysteries and like to be left hanging, this is definitely a book to read! I liked this book because of the weird things that happened. There are some things that leave you wondering. At one point in the book the old man says, "27 and 53" and you might think it doesn't have to do with anything, but it appears throughout the whole book. Mike's friend says to him, "What's wrong with you?" That leaves you hanging because by this point you're so into the book, you want to know what happened. Even though it's not one of those really important parts but it's a mystery that the author throws in to keep you wondering. But in the end you finally find the answer to all the mystery's and the problems. That was why I liked this book because at first I was confused but in the end it all came together.
Format:Paperback
I read this to my daughter a few years ago, and for the life of me I can't figure out why this won awards in Britain. It's a strange little story, but neither characters nor the plot are all that interesting. The writing is fine but nothing to brag about. It's just O.K.
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4.3 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Skellig- a well thought out book
Skellig is an angel who meets mina and micheal he has just moved into a new house. Michaels sister is dying and has been sent to hospital skellig is he babys guardian angel and... Read more
Published on July 7 2004
5.0 out of 5 stars
Skellig, David Almond, K. Nam, P.3
Michael and his family moved to a new house. It was supposed to be for the best. He also has a new baby sister that is very ill and makes his family worry. Michael feels helpless. Read more
Published on Mar 14 2004 by Kelly Nam
5.0 out of 5 stars
Skellig
Michael and his family moved to a new house. It was supposed to be for the best. He also has a new baby sister that is very ill and makes his family worry. Michael feels helpless. Read more
Published on Mar 14 2004 by Kelly Nam
5.0 out of 5 stars
Skellig
Skellig was one of my favorites. It had suspense and a great ending. Skellig is not only human but bird and angel as well. he seems like a bad person. A mean person. Read more
Published on Feb 5 2004
5.0 out of 5 stars
Skellig By David Almond
Michael and his family have moved into a new house which initially seems to be a disastrous decision. Read more
Published on Feb 3 2004 by Luca Uberai
4.0 out of 5 stars
Book Review On Skellig
Skellig is some kind of mysterious creature that enters the lives of Michael and Mina. As Michael and his family including his premature baby sister in intensive care, have moved... Read more
Published on Feb 2 2004
5.0 out of 5 stars
skellig
I really enjoyed this book it is one of the few books that made me tense reading it, and I really want to read on, it was agony it took our class a hole term to read it when I just... Read more
Published on Feb 2 2004
4.0 out of 5 stars
amazing
Skellig is an amazing book.It is about aboy called micheal who has moved house with his new baby sister who is very sick. Read more
Published on Feb 1 2004 by will
5.0 out of 5 stars
brilliant
This extraordinary adventure book is about a boy called Michael whose family moves into a new house. Read more
Published on Feb 1 2004 by walid haddad
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Mystery
Skellig
I think Skellig is a good book. It's not like any other book I've read. It's about a boy who moves into a worn down house and finds a man/owl/angel in his ratty old... Read more
Published on Jan 20 2004
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