Editorial Review

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Reviews (154)

Original, well written coming of age story
SKELLIG is highly original and beautifully written.The characters of Michael and Mina as well as their parents are well drawn and fully realized and I feel the book would appeal equally to girls and boys. The book is neither pure fantasy or realistic fiction but a unique and lyrically crafted blend.Michael's school life and Mina's home schooled life are nicely contrasted and though the book is set in England and has that definite British feel it is not confusing to the American reader. The book makes sense in the context of the fantasy character (Skellig) it creates and has a satisfying conclusion even though we never get a total understanding of who or what Skellig is though Almond gives us tantalizing hints.Too much explanation would have taken away some of the magic and grace of the story.

Skellig
David Almond's Skellig is one of those books that make you believe in such things as angels. I read this book about three years ago, and enjoyed it so much that I still call it one of my favourites.
Man, Owl, or Angel?
"He was filthy and pale and dried out and I thought he was dead.I couldn't have been more wrong.I'd soon begin to see the truth about him, that there'd never been another creature like him in the world."
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Subjects:  1. Angels    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Family - General    5. Fiction    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Moving, Household    8. Social Issues - Friendship    9. Social Situations - Moving    10. Strangers    11. Juvenile Fiction / Family / General    12. Reading Group Guide   

Reviews (2)

powerful and beautifully written
This story gets increasingly scary as the narrator, Davie, is drawn into the strange world of a boy named Stephen who believes he can create a monster from clay.Can he?Does it take a monster to create one?Or is Stephen really changing Davie and starting to make him a monster?The story takes a little time to get into but it's a terrific read that makes you think.

I'm Just Saying.
It isn't very chilling or exciting, but David Almond's CLAY is about as contemporary as they come.A trio of young boys footloose and alone in a sleepy town in the English countryside.One of the boys, Stephen Rose, a newcomer to the town of Felling, is a little bit strange.The narrator, Davie, has known the whole community for years, the good, the bad and the indifferent.His best friend, Geordie Craggs, is his alter ego, his opposite number, and the two of them have lived in mortal fear of a pack of neighborhood bullies for many years.
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Subjects:  1. Children's Books - Young Adult Fiction    2. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    3. Fiction    4. General    5. Horror & Ghost Stories    6. Horror / Ghost Stories (Young Adult)    7. Horror stories    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic    10. Social Issues - Friendship    11. Supernatural    12. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Editorial Review

Like David Almond's 1998 Whitbread-winning Read more

Reviews (88)

GREAT BOOK!!!
This book is great. It is about kids that play a game that no one would ever imagine. It is very interesting and I did not want to stop reading it. I definately recommend it to anyone who dosent enjoy reading or even people that do.

Incredible writing and an original plot
This is one of the most amazing young adult novels I've ever read, and I sincerely hope that it becomes a classic one day.It's about a very imaginative kid named Kit and his adventures in an old mining town called Stoneygate.After his grandfather tells him stories of the history of the mines, Kit begins to "see" children from the past who died in the pit.Are the ghosts real?It's never really clear, just as the ghosts themselves are not clear, flickering at the edges of Kit's vision. It ultimatley doesn't matter.This is not a ghost story, but a story of how certain places can hold atomospheres from the past, in this case the old mines.Almond uses magical realism to make this very convincing.The images of the ancient children in the pit are not too detailed, challenging the reader's imagination to supply the details.
Kit's Wilderness
"What must he give us?"
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Subjects:  1. Children's 12-Up - Family    2. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    3. Coal mines and mining    4. Fiction    5. Ghosts    6. Grandfathers    7. Horror & Ghost Stories    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Social Issues - Friendship    10. Juvenile Fiction / Social Situations / Friendship    11. Reading Group Guide   

Editorial Review

Continuing his tradition of strange and wild novels for young adults, David Almond, in Read more

Reviews (9)

A new David Almond fan...
This story was most engaging as I was brought back to my youth in a flood of memories. The author also succeeded in re-awakening the same feelings of joy and anxiety that I remembered from this time in history. My 13 year old son had recommended this book to me and I must be developing an interest in young adult fiction. Another book in this genre that captured my attention was Mark McNulty's `The Sea Shack'. Each book involved tales of young boys and their experiences in seacoast communities. I could identify with these times and circumstances and the authors remarkable talent for developing young characters. These books are terrific offerings for true `summer escape' reading. And, they are to be enjoyed by young and old alike as I have learned. Now, I must read the other David Almond books. I have become a fan.
Fire Eater
Set in England, eleven year old Bobby Burns has a lot on his mind.His father is ill and he has just started at a new school.If that is not enough, it is 1962 and the world is on the brink of World War III as Bobby and his family watch the hostilities between the United States and Russia now known as the Cuban Missile Crisis.While out with his mother, Bobby sees the street performer, McNulty the Fire Eater.Bobby is afraid of the big man, yet so fascinated by McNulty's tricks that he seeks him out whenever possible.A precarious bond is formed between the young boy and the Fire Eater.It soon becomes apparent to Bobby that McNulty is both mentally ill and homeless.Almond does a beautiful job portraying the mysterious McNulty as someone to fear yet someone to love and to comfort. Some of McNulty's tricks may not be for the squeamish and the abusive teachers may offend some.Recommended for ages 12+ years old.

City on fire
The greatest testament there is to the power of good writing is the ability it has to tell universal stories in very particular settings.For example, when you think of the author David Almond you pretty much have to think of one place in the world.North-eastern England.Books like "Kit's Wilderness" (one of the greatest children's books ever dreamt up) would be nothing without their location.And the same goes for his particularly ambitious effort, "The Fire-Eaters".This book is set, in his own words in, "a tatty place, a coaly beach by a coaly sea".The characters talk with thick beautiful brogues.Their lives and the lives of their ancestors are rooted to the beaches on which they were born.Yet somehow this book could apply to any human being on any land on this small planet we call our own.And that, ladies and gentlemen, is a testament to good writing.
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Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 4-6    3. Conduct of life    4. Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962    5. Family - General    6. Family - Parents    7. Fiction    8. Great Britain    9. Historical - Europe    10. Hope    11. Juvenile Fiction    12. Juvenile Historical Fiction    13. Social Issues - Friendship    14. Social Issues - New Experience    15. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Reviews (1)

Rambling, inconsistant, and strange
This book takes place in 1962, before and during the Cuban missile crisis.Bobby Burns lives in a sleepy little coal-mining town near Keely Bay.When Bobby goes into Newcastle one Sunday, he sees a mysterious street performer, McNulty, eating fire, escaping from chains, and sticking sharp implements through his cheeks.McNulty drags Bobby out of the audience to be his assistant.Instead of being frightened by the very obviously crazy McNulty, Bobby forms an instant bond with him.When Bobby gets home, he tells his father about McNulty.Bobby's father tells him that he and McNulty served together in W.W.II, and that McNulty was bullied and beaten up by the other men on the ship.
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Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 3-4    3. Conduct of life    4. Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962    5. Fiction    6. General    7. Hope    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Reviews (1)

My son's favorite book
This is my son's favorite book.He's a 3 year old boy who desperately wants to be a cat.This is his fantasy come true! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure - General    2. Animals - Cats    3. Bedtime & Dreams    4. Cats    5. Children's 4-8 - Fiction - General    6. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    7. Children: Kindergarten    8. Fiction    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. Night    11. Preschool Picture Story Books    12. Juvenile Fiction / Bedtime & Dreams   

Editorial Review

David Almond's extraordinary books skirt the edge of fantasy withstories that reveal the magic all around us in everyday life. His novels--amongthem the exquisite Read more

Reviews (8)

A world of magical possibilites...
The surreal province, David Almond has created in his fifth book, Secret Heart, is dark, haunting, and reminiscent of the stylistic and contextual elements of English classics produced by the likes of C. S. Lewis and even Kipling. Simple, stuttering, dreamy Joe Maloney is the prototypical, ostracized young boy who doesn't fit in. He has phenomenal powers, of imagination and observation, bordering upon the supernatural.
Interesting subject matter but slightly flawed
After reading Skellig and Kit's Wilderness, I had high expectations for this more recent offering.When finished, I couldn't help feeling a little disappointed.The material is interesting, and there's some beautiful imagery with the tiger, but the plot seemed rather weak.Also, Almond's depiction of traditional circus is inaccurate.I lived in such a circus for years and no one called us "gyppo scum."Some of the artists in this book are also displayed as grotesque freaks. Still, Almond's writing is always absorbing, and this is no exception.

Secret Heart
The Secret Heart was an ok book.The one thing that I did not like about my book is it had nothing to it and was always talking about a tiger.This book was about a boy a girl and a tiger.They were the main characters.I chose this book because it looked like a mystery so i picked it out.It was ok in some parts but most of it I did not like.I thought it was more of a grown up book. In my book they all lived in Helmouth which was a boring town that nobody or anything ever came to this town except for one when a circus came. The circus was right behind his house so Joe saw it as soon as he got up.When he was walking to school he met a girl in the circus who did the balance beam. Joe kind of likes this girl so he invited her to his house and that is all I am going to tell you. That is my book review. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 12-Up - Fiction - General    2. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    3. Family - General    4. Fiction    5. Friendship    6. Human-animal relationships    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Self-perception    9. Social Issues - Friendship    10. Social Issues - Peer Pressure    11. Social Issues - Special Needs    12. Juvenile Fiction / Family / General   

Editorial Review

In the elegant, hypnotic, thoroughly engaging Read more

Reviews (6)

Well-written and poignant.
David Almond is the author of several critically acclaimed books, including the marvelous SKELLIG, about things with wings; the mysterious KIT'S WILDERNESS, about things deep underground; and the peculiar HEAVEN'S EYES, about runaway orphans finding family in the presence of a simple, innocent girl. Almond's books are filled with metaphysical darkness and mystery. If anyone has ever wondered where his ideas come from, COUNTING STARS provides clues as it is a collection of short stories based on his boyhood growing up Catholic in northern England.
Don't Be Misled!
Almost every review written of "Counting Stars" mentions David Almond's Catholic background and gushes over the quality of his writing. So eager are they to paint this book as Catholic that I thought I'd set the record straight right here. "Stars" shines
You've read his stories about bird-men in the garage, ghosts of prehistoric humans, and strange girls with webbed fingers. Now read a unique, wistful book -- half autobiography, half fictional short stories -- that goes back to David Almond's childhood in a small English mining town. Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    2. City and town life    3. England    4. Family - General    5. Family life    6. Felling    7. Felling (England)    8. Fiction    9. People & Places - Europe    10. Juvenile Fiction / Family / General    11. Reading Group Guide   

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Plays / Drama    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    3. Children's plays, English    4. Children: Grades 4-6    5. Drama    6. English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh    7. Juvenile Drama    8. Juvenile Nonfiction    9. Juvenile Fiction / Performing Arts   

Editorial Review

British author David Almond is on a roll. His first book for youngreaders, Read more

Reviews (30)

Best Book so far
This was an amazing book. It touched my heart so deeply and i would recommend it to everyone.

Heaven Eyes and my view.
Heaven Eyes is written by David Almond. He was grown in northeastern England. He used to be a postman, a brush salesman, an editor, and even a teacher but his writing started after he graduated college. The first novel for children he wrote was Skelling, and this book won a lot of honors, and a lot of best book of the year lists. His second novel, Kit's Wilderness, also won a lot of honors and best book lists for excellence of writing for young adults. He lives in England with his families. Unexpected
I was expecting a different story, but I was pleasantly surprised.I enjoyed the book.Kept me interested. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adventure and adventurers    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    5. Family - General    6. Fiction    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Orphans    9. Juvenile Fiction / Family / General    10. Reading Group Guide   

Subjects:  1. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    2. Science fiction   

Reviews (1)

A very cute story.
This book was recommended to me by my sister, who is an assistant librarian.Even though I consider myself an adult advanced reader.I found this book very touching.The story was written beautifully and I was actually in tears several times throughout it, especially toward the end. A beautiful story with a happy ending, that's all I will say.Read it for yourself :) ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children: Grades 4-6    2. Fiction   

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - General    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Family - General    4. Juvenile Fiction    5. Social Situations - Moving   

Subjects:  1. Modern fiction    2. Short stories   

Subjects:  1. Fiction   

Features

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Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    2. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    3. Conduct of life    4. Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962    5. Fiction    6. General    7. Hope    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Large type books   

Reviews (1)

Skellig Reveiw
Such imagery. Never been anything like it and there never will be. Very good choice of read especially for children from 10-13. My class loved it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    2. Designed / suitable for National Curriculum    3. English literature: fiction texts    4. Fiction   

Subjects:  1. Children: Grades 3-4    2. English literature: drama texts    3. Fiction dealing with family issues    4. Modern languages: drama texts   

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - General    2. General