This book brings together a lot of fears and worries that may affect children, whether it be directly within their family or understanding a friend’s situation. The book touches on new babies coming into a family, moving house, illness and possible death within the family and making new but different friends. He is an author often suggested on National Curriculum reading lists in the United Kingdom and has attracted the attention of academics who specialise in the study of children's literature. I fear my feelings about Skellig are going to disappoint you. I didn't love it. Now that could be because it came to me too late in life to truly adore the story of the strange owl/angel/man, or perhaps I am too damn jaded, or it could just be that I no longer seem able to completely enjoy something just for the sake of enjoyment. I don't like that about me, but there it is. I first read Skellig a number of years ago and instantly fell in love with it. I was fortunate enough to not have the story pushed on me at school and instead find it on my own after leaving school. I now read it at least once every year. It is by far one of my all time favourite stories ever. The past couple of reads have been listening to the audiobook during my daily walks/train journeys and it’s just delightful. The book is also a highly emotional story and Almond does a brilliant job of conveying different emotions of all his characters. The book is written from the point of view from the main character Michael. Michael is dealing with a myriad of emotions whilst his baby sister is ill and Almond uses the fact it is in first person to really explore these emotions and not shy away from the despair he is feeling.

Skellig won the Carnegie Medal and the Whitbread Children's Book Award. David Almond is also winner of the Hans Christian Andersen award, the Nonino International Prize, and has received an OBE for services to literature. The book is very mystical and slightly unnerving as you never get to find out exactly what Skellig is although it is hinted he is some kind of angel. However, he is not what people might assume a conventional angel. He is in a shabby dirty suit, staying alive by eating spiders when Michael finds him and instead of being religious and saintly keeps asking Michael to bring him beer and Chinese food. The book also contains vivid descriptions so even though you may never know what Skellig is you know exactly what he looks like. This worksheet is a great resource for helping children get a better understanding of the novel Skellig. 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.Don't get me wrong. I liked Skellig plenty. I liked it enough that I've recommended it to Te and Los, and Scoutie has already started reading it, and I blew through it at top speed, wanting to see how things played out. Skellig is dark, haunting and beautiful. The sadness and joy you feel for the characters really draws you into the book compelling you to learn more; who is Skellig? Where did he come from? What will happen to Michael’s sister? 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.

David Almond’s first novel Skellig is one of the most extraordinary children’s novels published in recent years and will provide children with an exciting and mysterious story that will have their imagination running wild. It is most suited to children aged 8-11. Skellig is deliberately ambiguous about its title character. [5] Almond has provided public answers to some frequent questions from his school visits. The names "Skellig" and "Michael" are derived from the Skellig Islands off the coast of County Kerry, Ireland. [6] One of them is Skellig Michael Island; St Michael is also the name of an archangel. This book revolves around a 10-year old boy, Michael. When Michael moves into a crumbling, old house with an ancient garage that he cannot resist going into, he encounters a mysterious creature named Skellig. Slowly they come to trust and care for each other and help each other through the most difficult phase of their lives. Imagine such a person saying, "Oh, no, I'd never read FANTASY. Give me slice of life and coming of age story, only. IF it has a bit of awe and wonder in it and it's done WELL, then I *might* bump it up as my absolute favorite novel of all time because it shows everyone just how DARING I am. You know. Because I could never LOVE Fantasy. My friends will be so impressed."HAY LIBROS PREDESTINADOS A SER ESCRITOS. Nadie sabe porque razón es así, solo que un día, sin que las circunstancias sean las más propicias, de repente, alguien tiene la idea de escribir una historia que tocará la vida de la mayoría de sus lectores.

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 . . . If that was all there was to the story, it would just be another take on I-believe-in-fairies, with a somewhat scrawny, grumpy out-of-shape fairy. Skellig won the Carnegie Medal and the Whitbread Children's Book Award. David Almond is also winner of the 2010 Hans Christian Andersen award. Michael hears a story that human shoulder blades are a vestige of angel wings. Meanwhile, his friends from school become more and more distant as Michael stops attending school and spends less time with them. Is this book going to go supernatural or is there a rational explanation for the stranger in the garage? Guess you will have to read this book to find out!This worksheet helps children to empathise with and imagine Mina's thoughts and feelings as her character progresses through the novel. Fletcher, Alex (2 September 2008). "Tim Roth confirmed for 'Skellig' cast". Digital Spy . Retrieved 2 September 2008.

Humorous, heart-stopping and haunting...an emotional roller-coaster of a read with a cliff-hanger of a conclusion. Inspired and inspiring.

Reviews

The amount of really well written metaphors and themes throughout this book is a delight. One example of this is how Michael is told to view his new home in his mind's eye and the potential it has. He has to view the man in his garage and the situation with his sister in a similar light. No matter how grubby, repulsive or broken a situation or person may appear, with the right determination and help, these situations can be transformed into something more beautiful than anything originally thought. 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 ... I realise that that kind of means that I saw it as forgettable but please bear in mind it was about thirteen years ago and I have a horrible memory for books. Seriously, I can forget my favourite books that I’ve only just put down and that doesn’t mean that I don’t love them. I just have a shoddy memory.