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Skellig

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About this listen

 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.

(P) Hodder Children's Books 1999©1998 David Almond Fiction Growing Up Growing Up & Facts of Life Literature & Fiction Science Fiction & Fantasy Fantasy Heartfelt

Critic reviews

Lyrical, innovative and unforgettably moving.
Lyrical, innovative and moving...unforgettably moving (Cressida Cowell)
The book I wish I'd written is Skellig by David Almond. Almond's book has a great sense of the mysterious; we are left with a sense of wonder. I wish that I had written it! (Joseph Delaney)
This modern classic has been reissued in a beautiful 15th anniversary edition (Lorna Bradbury)
An exquisitely crafted book with a mystical core
The sort of children's book that makes adults find excuses to read more of them
Hard to put down (Liz Lightfoot)
Refusing to read this book on the grounds that you are not a child makes as much sense as refusing to read crime fiction because you are not a criminal. A deep and lovely book. (Nick Hornby)
An exquisite book
Brings Magical Realism to working-class Northeast England
A story full of heart and magic and big confusing emotions, elegantly told by a master craftsman. A perfect piece of art (Lucy Christopher)
Touched with a visionary intensity, this strange, hugely readable and life-affirming tale exercises every muscle of the imagination
Humorous, heart-stopping and haunting...an emotional roller-coaster of a read with a cliff-hanger of a conclusion. Inspired and inspiring.
A visionary story...a lyrical, magical kind of book which can be read on many different levels
Voted Carnegie Medal's Number one Top Book of the past 70 years
I can't eat a chinese takeaway without thinking about this strange and beautiful book about an angel who seems to have lost his way. (Gill Harvey)
A bookshelf essential.
Deservedly popular
Powerful and moving
A beautiful story which will enchant young and old alike
A modern classic
Listed as on the of the 100 Best Children's Books Ever (Novels)
One of those books that you can't put down (Junior Reviewer Conor Neison, aged 12)
All stars
Most relevant
Beautiful book. An unusual story with parts to make you laugh, cry and wonder. I am sixty years old and I loved this book to bits.

Beautiful

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Imaginative and inspirational, David Almond captures the wonder of a mysterious encounter with an extraordinary creature.

A super read for adults and junior children!

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this was a great find . Just saw a picture of this in waterstones as it is a 25 th anniversary and got it without reading what it is about . Well performed and kept me reading . good story and characters.

A must read

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This is one of those books that i regret not reading when i was younger. I loved every part if it. even the emotionally difficult parts. its very down to earth as well as being Extraordinary. Shows life as it is, with real people, and their reactions.

a wonderful book, so glad i found it

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reading it with year 7 pupils in school they love it can't wait for next part. on last few pages with them would recommend.

Excellent listen

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