Skellig is the first children's book by British author David Almond, who has gone on to write several more outstanding children's books. He was nominated for the Hans Christian Andersen Award in 2008, which is given by the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) each year to outstanding authors and illustrators of children's books from around the world.
Skellig is a very simple, rather short story that packs a big wallop. Michael and his family have moved from town to a run-down house in the outskirts of town. Between the work that needs to be done on the house and the fact that his baby sister is sick, Michael's parents don't have much time to spend with him. When he explores the old shed in the back of the property, he finds a strange being who calls himself Skellig. The story follows Michael and his new friend, Mina, a different sort of girl who lives next door and is home schooled by her mom, as they try to help Skellig survive. Is Skellig an angel? A bird? A strange new --or old -- type of being? Whatever he is, he helps heal Michael's family in their grief.
I couldn't put this book down. David Almond's writing style is spare and clean, making the magical realism of the book completely believable. I like the development of Michael and Mina's friendship; she is a particularly well-developed character. Skellig himself remains a mystery, which allows the reader to decide for herself what he is. I'm definitely looking forward to reading more of David Almond's books.
I'm going to start adding the publishers information about the books I read so you can look them up yourself!
London: Hodder Children's Books, 1998.
Another book by David Almond, author of Skellig. This one was a bit stranger. My Dad's A Birdman
is about Lizzie and her dad, who are trying to get on since her mother died. The dad is obviously not handling it very well, as he decides to become a bird in order to enter the Great Human Bird Competition. He stays at home, builds a nest, creates wings for himself, and eats worms and bugs.
