'a master novelist' (Independent )
'There really is nobody quite like Almond writing in children's or adults' fiction today.' (The Times )
'a writer of subtle, page-turning and daring exactness.' (Times Educational Supplement )
'Almond manages to make a work of art out of the simplest words.' (Amanda Craig, The Times )
'David Almond is a fine writer, one of the very finest we have. He is simply incapable of writing a bad sentence.' (Michael Morpurgo )
'Another brilliant novel from a master storyteller.'
(Carousel )
Unsettling but, as ever, beautifully written.
(Daily Mail )
'... exceptional, delicate writing ... make a moving and thoughtful story told with exceptional elegance.'
(Julia Eccleshare )
'exquisite prose which sparkles off the page'
(Writeaway )
BACKLIST REVIEWS: 'a book of startling quality and tremendous beauty' (The Bookbag )
'David Almond's novels all have a unique, mystical thread running through them. He weaves a story web, spiderlike, that holds the reader spellbound while he spins new though-threads on universal themes.' (Carousel )
'One of these days, someone is going to notice that David Almond has been kidnapped by children's publishing and demand him back for adults. But until then, we must rejoice in every new offering of his.' (Sunday Telegraph )
"superb coming-of-age novel from one of our master story-tellers."
(Bookseller 20090220)
"This is a novel of power and beauty."
(The Daily Telegraph 20081206)
A remarkable and thought-provoking prequel.
(INIS 20100901)
A standalone exploration of a child's relationship with language, ideas and living things... the reader is with her all the way.
(Observer 20101003)
The creative way Mina uses words to explore her dreams and ideas will inspire anyone who's ever kept a diary.
(Alice, 17, Dorset 20101201)
'A celebration of the richness of the everyday world... to read it is to feel uplifted.'
(Sunday Times 20101205)
A sensational meditation on creativity and the power of words.
(The Daily Telegraph 20101127)
Almond promotes and celebrates freedom for children and their thinking in this lyrical book about growing up.
(Guardian (Julia Eccleshare) 20111001)
Incredibly moving.
(Sunday Express 20111204)
A glorification of imagination. David Almond has created a novel that will excite, astound and inspire adults and children alike. (English Association Journal 20120801)
David Almond is twice winner of the Whitbread Children's Book Award. His first novel, SKELLIG, won the Whitbread Children's Award and the Carnegie Medal and was made into a feature-length film on Sky1. His second, KIT'S WILDERNESS, won the Smarties Award Silver Medal, was Highly Commended for the Carnegie Medal, and shortlisted for the Guardian Award. THE FIRE-EATERS won the Whitbread, the Smarties Gold Award and was shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal, and his most recent novel, CLAY, was shortlisted for the Costa Children's Book Award, and the Carnegie Medal. David has also won the 2010 Hans Christian Andersen Award for his lasting contribution to children's literature and is widely regarded as one of the most exciting and innovative children's authors writing today. His books are bestsellers all over the world. He lives with his family in Northumberland. www.davidalmond.com
