It is the birds that will lead readers into 'Skellig'-that, and glimpses of Michael and his family moving next door. She dreams of her dead father and wonders, wonders, wonders about birds.

And what thoughts! Mina is homeschooled, because, well, because she's Mina, and she needs expanses of time to think about myths and mathematics. Her journal introduces us to this authoritative, imaginative, irascible child, and her entries appear in her childlike penmanship the print is big and bold when she finds a word she loves ('METEMPSYCHOSIS!'), and she uses concrete poetry as she plays with language and thoughts. Who was Mina before Michael arrived? Form as well as language bring Mina alive. This is the story of Mina, the girl next door who, in 'Skellig', helped Michael cope with the man he found in his garage eating dead flies and growing wings. But he is too shrewd-and fine-a writer to let that happen. Starred Review, Booklist, September 15, 2011:Īlmond is rather brave to have written a prequel to 'Skellig' (1998), a book that was the essence of originality. Not as dark, but just as passionate as Almond's previous works, this novel will inspire children to let their imaginations soar.'

Her gradual emergence from the protective shell of home is beautifully portrayed as she gingerly ventures out into the world. 'Almond gives readers a vivid picture of the joyfully free-form workings of Mina's mind and her mixed emotions about being an isolated child.

Starred Review, Publishers Weekly, August 15, 2011:

My name is mina book