The True Tale of the Monster Billy Dean

David Almond

Teen & Young Adult

Puffin

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 his presence will change Michael's life forever.

Skellig

Hodder Childrens

<p>From The Guardian: There's a reassuringly old-fashioned feel to David Almond's latest book, Clay, that gently lulls the reader into a false sense of security. The fact that the child narrator is named Davie gives one a sense of Almond tapping into his own childhood. This story is timeless. Or even out of time. Davie is an altar boy and, until now, his best mate has been more important than a girlfriend, and a feeling of innocence hangs in the air. Despite the bully - and he is terrible - there is a feeling of a cocooned community. But this is David Almond we're talking about. The sinister is never far away. Enter Stephen Rose; his father has died, his mother gone mad. Rumours abound that he was responsible for both occurrences. Sometimes Stephen denies this. That this newcomer isn't the slightest bit worried by the bully should endear us to him. But, in Almond's skilful hands, it also makes us wary. Why is he so unconcerned? And Stephen has a God-given talent for modelling out of clay. Then again, it may not be God-given at all. Stephen starts with miniature models and tries to convince Davie that he can give his creations life. He certainly seems to make a clay baby move. Davie has seen it with his own eyes. Or he thinks he has, but he's not altogether sure so, therefore, neither are we. The thing is, Stephen also appears to be able to hypnotise his "distant aunt" Crazy Mary. Davie is unhappy with the way that Stephen belittles her when she's under his influence. Davie's relationship with Stephen is one of discomfort and fascination. He is drawn to him but, at the same time, repulsed. Now Stephen wants to create something big from clay which he calls the beast. But he needs Davie's help. And then something happens to the bully and there's no turning back. As you'd expect from Almond's previous novels, Clay is dark and thought-provoking. There's no neatly tied-up ending and no redemption. The evil is still out there.</p>

Clay

Children's Books

Literature & Fiction

Hodder Children`S Books

Children should love to experience Kate's magical freedom as she changes into a cat and roams the countryside, free to become anyone and do anything, while the moon looks down from the sky, and everyone else is fast asleep.

Kate, the Cat and the Moon

Kate, The Cat and The Moon

Counting Stars

Hodder

His first novel, "Skellig" won David Almond critical acclaim and several awards. His second and third books, "Kit's Wilderness" and "Heaven Eyes", established him as an author of unique insight and skill. In "Counting Stars", he tackles the themes common to his work - joy, darkness, love, death and identity - with exquisite sensitivity and tenderness. David's childhood in the north of England was the inspiration for much of his work, and in these beautiful stories he creates a tangible picture of growing up in a large Catholic family. But the sense of mystery and wonderment we have come to expect from David is also present, and it is fascinating to see the kernels of his novels revealed. It is a must-read for Almond fans everywhere.

David Almond has adapted his best-selling novel for children, 'Skellig', into a play. It was first staged at the Young Vic in London, directed by Trevor Nunn, and performed by an all-star cast in 2003.

Skellig The Play

<p>A long hot summer A wild boy An abandoned baby An act of violence Every summer Liam and Max roam the wild countryside of Northumberland -- but this year things are different. One hot summer's day a jackdaw leads the two boys into an ancient farm house where they find a baby, wrapped in a blanket, with a scribbled note pinned to it: PLESE LOOK AFTER HER RITE. THIS IS A CHILDE OF GOD. And so begins Jackdaw Summer. A summer when friendships are tested. A summer when lines between good and bad are blurred. A summer that Liam will never forget ...</p>

Jackdaw Summer

Every summer Liam and Max roam the wild countryside of Northumberland - but this year things are different. One hot summer's day a jackdaw leads the two boys into an ancient farm house where they find a baby, wrapped in a blanket, with a scribbled note pinned to it.

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by David Almond. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by David Almond

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by David Almond. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

The True Tale of the Monster Billy Dean

Skellig

Clay

Kate, the Cat and the Moon

Kate, The Cat and The Moon

Counting Stars

Counting Stars

Skellig The Play

Jackdaw Summer

Jackdaw Summer