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Submitted by Franx 
(Mar 08, 2004)When my teacher assigned our class this peculiar looking (sounding) book I didn't know what to say or think. But knowing myself I know that I can't keep my hands off the most boring of books in the whole world. Once you get into any book though, you can read it, and that is what "Skellig" is like. It captivates your imagination and you just want to go forward, chapter after chapter after chapter, until you're done with it. Then you want to think about it. The parts about his baby sister are so touching and at moments I can actually feel as if I am Michael sitting in that dark room thinking about my sister. The baby, struggling to go on, slowly leaving Earth, makes me, Michael dead frightened... at losing her. Can you just imagine the intense reality this would have on you? But then Skellig appears. They help Skelling find himself, Mina and Michael save Skellig and then Skellig saves Joy. Isn't that how it works, one good turn deserves another. So now we know that Skellig isn't heartless or selfish, he is fair. We watch Skellig grow in the book as we watch Michael grow, Mina grow, hatchlings grow, the baby grow. This book shows you just how real fantasies can be. Now after you have read this? Poured your soul into the book? Watched it overflow with profoundness? Drank from its fulfilling cool fountain? Then maybe you can answer my question... Do angels really exist?
Submitted by Anonymous 
(Feb 15, 2004) Skellig review [by ben danby age 12]
Skellig -a book written by david almond- is a mystical, magicial and simply wonderful book. It won a Whitbread Award in 1998 and is recomended around the country,let me tell you the storyline... Michael, a young ,bright little boy moves to a new home away from his school ,his friends and his house. His baby sister is ill and may die and just as he thought it couldn't get any worse,...it just did.... next to his new house which is more like a dump,is an old , stinky, crumbling garage....curious to see what's inside, Michael checks inside and he discovers something....
something mysterious...something magicial...something amazing.......find out yourself in this fantastic novel.
Submitted by Mark
(Jan 20, 2004)What can I say... This book was the juxtaposition of live and the afterlife, it dealt with the issue of do angels exist? and also demonstrated the ideals of home schooling vs govermnent educational systems.
After the first page I was hooked. Who was this individual that our main protagonist was talking about? The intrigue of this notion made me read on and i'd pretty much finished the book in just over an hour!
The constant agony of Michael's parents was so empathetically written that it made me feel as if I were Michael, worrying about my own infant sister. I'm glad it all worked out welll in the end.
Mina to me was the metaphysical representation of the notion 'Should children be educated at home or be subjected to government education systems. Michael has the applicational knowledge to converse with Mina, however it is Mina who takes it upon herself to introduce Michael to the arts including fanatics such as Keats.
Overall, a fantastic read.
Would I recommend it... Most definitely! However, don't take my word for it... Enjoy!!
Submitted by Heather Clark
(Nov 30, 2003)I picked this book out randomly at the library and I am glad I did. I cried throughout the middle and end of the book. The characters are portrayed simply, but have so much dimension. This book is profound in its style, message and meaning. The best part was when Michael's mom told them about her dream. My dad came in and asked if I had a fight with my boyfriend. I highly recommend this book to anyone who needs to be inspired.
Submitted by Anonymous 
(Nov 30, 2003)Where to start....... First of all I'd like to say that this book is clearly quite special. I have read a lot of the reviews previously and was interested to get my own view on the themes of the novel.
Michael is plunged into a world unfamiliar to him; New house, new sister, new journeys, new friends. And along with these changes comes a lot of new emotions, probably emotions that Michael has never had to deal with previously being an only child. Does he resent his baby sister?? His parents for the fact that he feels ignored and un-important due to this unexpected arrival? All of these issues were beautifully written into the book and become the very fibre of the world in which Michael lives.
I found the book very touching. Such a wonderful portrayal of a boys take on life, love, rebirth, faith, belief, friendship, courage. What I noticed also, and picked up by some of the reviewers previously, was the theories of evolution. I know that many people don't believe in this for religious and other reasons, but encapsulated in the novel, I believe it is there to demonstrate what we as a species could come to. Where are we on the chain from beasts to angels, anyway???
I'd love to delve into the thoughts and theories behind the novel but now isn't the time or place. My advice is -
Read the book! If you have read it, Read it again and really put yourself there, in Michael's world and believe, listen deeper, and have faith in humanity.
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