Description

The bestselling story about love, loss and hope that launched David Almond as one of the best children’s writers of today. Winner of the Carnegie Medal and the Whitbread children’s book of the Year Award.

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. David Almond is also winner of the 2010 Hans Christian Andersen award.

Powerful and moving – The Guardian

This newly jacketed edition celebrates 20 years of this multi-award-winning novel.

Publisher Review

One of those books that you can't put down -- Junior Reviewer Conor Neison, aged 12 * Evening Echo (Cork) * Powerful and moving. * The Guardian * A modern classic Listed as on the of the 100 Best Children's Books Ever (Novels) * The Daily Telegraph * A beautiful story which will enchant young and old alike * Western Morning News * Powerful and moving * Guardian.co.uk * Deservedly popular * The Observer * A bookshelf essential. * The Guardian * 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 * The Big Issue * Voted Carnegie Medal's Number one Top Book of the past 70 years * The Times * A visionary story...a lyrical, magical kind of book which can be read on many different levels * The Daily Mail * Humorous, heart-stopping and haunting...an emotional roller-coaster of a read with a cliff-hanger of a conclusion. Inspired and inspiring. * Newcastle Journal * Touched with a visionary intensity, this strange, hugely readable and life-affirming tale exercises every muscle of the imagination * The Guardian * A story full of heart and magic and big confusing emotions, elegantly told by a master craftsman. A perfect piece of art -- Lucy Christopher * Big Issue (london) * Brings Magical Realism to working-class Northeast England * i (The Independent) * An exquisite book * The Sunday Telegraph * 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 * The Times * Hard to put down -- Liz Lightfoot * The Daily Telegraph * The sort of children's book that makes adults find excuses to read more of them * Times Educational Supplement * An exquisitely crafted book with a mystical core * The Daily Telegraph * This modern classic has been reissued in a beautiful 15th anniversary edition -- Lorna Bradbury * The Sunday Telegraph * 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 * Books For Keeps * Lyrical, innovative and moving...unforgettably moving -- Cressida Cowell * Sunday Express * Lyrical, innovative and unforgettably moving. * Sunday Express (Cressida Cowell) *