I like this story it is very mysterious. No one knows if Michael's baby sister will get better and Dr. Death comes to check on her. When Michael finds Skelig he is not afraid. You get the feeling he is an angel when they talk about how he has wings, but I am not so sure. On page 38-39 there is an interesting passage about wings, "They say that shoulder blades are where your wings were, when you were an angel. They say they're where your wings will grow again one day." This is very interesting. I like this explanationa nd I think children would liek it too. I think Skelig is just what Michael may have needed because he was so depressed. So maybe Skelig is an angel to help Michael. What do you think?
I think this book is very enjoyable so far. There are many intriguing elements that make you want to keep reading. I think some older children would be able to relate somehow to the characters like Mina. She helps Michael to try and figure out what to do about Skelig. This book also has a good sense of family because they all stick together with everything going on with the baby. What do you think abou the book?
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So I read through chapter 23. I'm so interested in this book. I like Michael and I believe he is going through all the normal thoughs any 6th (?) grader might. I think he is in middle school. Moving is tough on anyone and the fact that his baby sister is in the hospital makes it worse. I also think that Skellig is an angel. The humps under the shoulder blades are a good indicater that Skellig might be special. I also like the line that was pointed out earlier, it was a very sweet thing for the mother to say and something I'm sure I might tell my children in the future.
Mina is my favorite character, and I agree that she might appeal to anyone older considering she is so smart. But both children are special, as they meet Skellig. I love the part when Mina meets him and the line that says, "He opened his eyes. He looked deep into Mina. She looked deep into him." Mina is unquestioning and they seem to have a connection almost right away. I'm very interested to see how this ends, and if the two children learn anything from this being Skellig. I also wanted to ask people if they thought Skellig would have anything to do with the baby sister? They are both vital parts of the story, and I think he is going to help somehow with her but I can't think of how. But I am really enjoying this book.
I agree with both the above postings. I also belive that Skellig has some sort of angel spirit. The shoulder blades definitely do give the reader the sense that he is an angel, esoecially because it refers to them as wings. I believe that Skellig is very vital in the story and that he is there to protect the children. I have a feeling as continue reading that this story is going to get quite depressing. Although, so far I have enjoyed what I have read so far. I have only read about the first quarter.
Initially, I had some difficulty getting into this story, probably because I was reading bits and pieces here and there when I had time. When I finally made time, sat down and began to read, I couldn’t put it down. Towards the latter half of the novel I came to the conclusion that Skellig was the angel of death. He’s dressed in all black with wings like an angel, and Michael explains that his breath smells of death. On the same day that Michael’s dad calls the school to tell him about the baby’s surgery, Michael dreams that he sees Skellig in the hospital ward. Around this time, Skellig also tells Mina that he is leaving. I assumed that the baby would not live through the surgery and Skellig would take her off to heaven. I was certainly mistaken! I find it interesting how Mina and Michael are so intrigued and unafraid of Skellig, yet he is incredibly creepy looking, and initially not too friendly. As I child I would have been terrified. The birds in the story can be read as a metaphor for the Michael’s family and the baby. The blackbirds nurse their young while they are in the nest, just like Michael’s mom nurses the baby at home. After Skellig leaves, during baby’s surgery, the baby birds leave the nest and don’t have anyone to look after them. This is where Michael and Mina come in. Michael is unable to do anything to help his little sister, but he becomes a caretaker for the birds, protecting them from the predators. Once Skellig helps the baby, the baby birds too are able to fly on their own. I really how the book moved from dark and depressing to uplifting and “joyful” and the reader moves along with Michael though his struggles and comes away feeling that everything is going to be okay for the family.
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