Review: Skellig
Rated by 2 members
Parents need to know that this is a beautifully written, unique, moody story that has strong emotional appeal for avid readers. Flowing language conveys a story of two children determined to help another, and to grow closer to each other.
Families who read this book together could discuss the details about birds, evolution, arthritis, and William Blake, and the way the children learn by drawing.
What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that this is a beautifully written,
unique, moody story that has strong emotional appeal for avid
readers. Flowing language conveys a story of two children
determined to help another, and to grow closer to each
other.
Families who read this book together could discuss the details about birds, evolution, arthritis, and William Blake, and the way the children learn by drawing.
Common Sense Media Review
Is the creature dying in Michael's garage a man, a bird, an
angel, or all three? And what is his connection to Michael's
baby sister, who's in the hospital with a heart problem? This
gorgeously weird novel holds readers entranced in a spell woven
of moonlight, owls, and poetry.
Among the many pleasures of this atmospheric and stunningly beautiful novel are the characters of Michael, a deeply empathetic boy, and Mina, who studies birds and William Blake (and who should be the poster child for home schooling)--and the tender and touching relationship Michael and Mina develop in caring for Skellig and worrying about his baby sister.
The author uses language to weave an intricate spell, one composed of snatches of Blake's poetry, as well as songs, drawings, moonlit nights, and mystery. There are unforgettable scenes that are burned into memory in an instant: the moment Michael first discovers Skellig, covered with spider webs and dead bluebottles; a room lit only by shafts of moonlight, in which the children and Skellig join hands and dance in a circle that floats into the air; Michael's mother, half-dreaming, seeing Skellig lifting her ailing baby out of her hospital bed, and watching as wings seem to sprout from the infant's back.
Another unusual and compelling feature is that it is never really clear just what Skellig is--human, bird, angel, or all three. In this strange, soaringly lyrical, powerfully moving first novel by Almond, Michael and Mina are comfortable with ambiguity ("Sometimes we just have to accept there are things we can't know," Mina says), and the reader of this haunting story will have to accept this as well.
Common Sense Media is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing information to help parents make media and entertainment choices for their families.
