The Book Depository My Name Is Mina by David Almond
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Price: £7.69
Brand: The Book Depository
Description: My Name Is Mina : Paperback : Random House USA Inc : 9780375873270 : 0375873279 : 09 Oct 2012 : Award-winning author David Almond reintroduces readers to the perceptive, sensitive Mina before the events of Skellig in this lyrical and fantastical work. My Name is Mina is not only a pleasure to read, it is an intimate and enlightening look at a character whose open mind and heart have much to teach us about life, love, and the mysteries that surround us. Mina loves the night. While everyone else is in a deep slumber, she gazes out the window, witness to the moon's silvery light. In the stillness. The Book Depository My Name Is Mina by David Almond - shop the best deal online on thebookbug.co.uk
Category: Books
Merchant: The Book Depository
Product ID: 9780375873270
MPN: 0375873279
GTIN: 9780375873270
Author: Teddy
Rating: 5
Review: My Name is Mina by David Almond This novel is all about Mina, the girl who befriends Michael in one of David Almond's previous novels, Skellig. It is a prequel; written after another story, but giving parallel events leading up to Mina and Michael meeting at the start of Skellig. Mina is a reflective and solitary child. She is labelled a misfit and is eventually home-schooled by her creative, loving and imaginative mother. Mina is a gifted writer but her style is not one appreciated by her teacher, Miss Scullery. There is an hilarious scene during last year's SATs writing test, `Write about a busy place'. Mina decides to write her entire piece, Glibbertysnark, as nonsense; the sort of Jabberwocky nonsense, that somehow makes sense. Her teacher becomes apoplectic and resorts to swearing, which despite being a children's book, is entirely appropriate in this context. The ensuing meeting between her teacher and the Headteacher results in her mother being summoned and Mina is removed for home-schooling. She spends one day in a special school, a moving and inspirational chapter of her journal, but she decides it is not for her and her education from thenceforth is one of freedom, exploration and creativity. The underlying themes of this story are of loss, of her father, and self-discovery of herself. We see glimpses of the parallel Skellig story; of Michael moving next door; the mention of the garage central to that book; the start of Michael's baby sister's illness. This book is written in a variety of fonts which reflect the tone of what is being written. It takes the form of Mina's journal and reads like an internal monologue of her thoughts, feelings, dreams and fears. There are echoes of Jack's style in Love that Dog by Sharon Creech; a child's observations and questions about both the wonders and absurdities of the world around them. Both children write poetry to express their thoughts. In reality, it is probably a KS3 book, although superficially quite an easy read. However, there are many layers in this book which could provide a challenging read, and basis for Book Talk by a Gifted and Talented reading circle in Year 6.
Author: Kindle Customer
Rating: 1
Review: As the wet snow dripped across the foggy window, Alana looked out at the speeding cars drive past. Chatter filled the and Alana felt herself being shoved against the window of the bus. “Hallo! Mind if I sit down deary, got them very sores legs today, I have!” said a cheery old lady with a round face. Alana did not dare object. She simply just nodded her head vaguely. The old lady sat down and stsrted talking, loudly. “How old are you dear? I am rather old I suppose. Just turned 64 yes'erday!” “I'm 14,” mumbled Alana quietly, fiddling with her jet black hair. “Thas a good ol' age to be, it is! You have yours whole life ahead of you!” “Mmm” muttered Alana. Finally the bus pulled up and Alana hastily stood up. “Take care dear!” said the old lady. Nodding her head she turned back and into the grey, grim looking building. What a queer girl, thought the lady. “Alana!” shouted a voice. Alan turned. “Its your mum, shes not doing well,” said the voice that belonged to a balding man in a nurses uniform. “C-can I see her?” squeaked Alana. The nurse nodded. Taking a deep breath, she strode into the room. There was a lady with dark blonde hair and grey eyes,lying still on her back. “Hello mum,” whispered Alana. Clutching her mothers hand tightely, Alana pulled out her phone. No new messages. She breathed a sigh of relief. She didnt want to deal with the bullies now. Alana suddenly felt dizzy. Putting her hands over her stomach, she felt heavy. Her breathing was becoming raspier and heavier. Her hands shaking, Alana trembled her way over to the door leading to the corridor. Taking one last step, she spotted a nurse and called for their help. The nurse helped Alana into a room with a lady in. The lady had silvery blonde hair and bright blue eyes. This was Dr. Plaselo.“Hi Alana, feeling ok?” she asked cheerily. Alana shook her head. Thats the end of the story so far byeee. by 11 year ols girl