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Review
'a master novelist' (Independent 20111204)
'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 )
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 )
'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.'
'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 )"This is a novel of power and beauty."
(The Daily Telegraph )A remarkable and thought-provoking prequel.
(INIS )A standalone exploration of a child's relationship with language, ideas and living things... the reader is with her all the way.
(Observer )The creative way Mina uses words to explore her dreams and ideas will inspire anyone who's ever kept a diary.
(Alice, 17, Dorset )'A celebration of the richness of the everyday world... to read it is to feel uplifted.'
(Sunday Times )A sensational meditation on creativity and the power of words.
(The Daily Telegraph )Almond promotes and celebrates freedom for children and their thinking in this lyrical book about growing up.
(Guardian (Julia Eccleshare) ) Incredibly moving.
Product Description
There's an empty notebook lying on the table in the moonlight. It's been there for an age. I keep on saying that I'll write a journal. So I'll start right here, right now. I open the book and write the very first words: My name is Mina and I love the night. Then what shall I write? I can't just write that this happened then this happened then this happened to boring infinitum. I'll let my journal grow just like the mind does, just like a tree or a beast does, just like life does. Why should a book tell a tale in a dull straight line?
And so Mina writes and writes in her notebook, and here is her journal, Mina's life in Mina's own words: her stories and dreams, experiences and thoughts, her scribblings and nonsense, poems and songs. Her vivid account of her vivid life.
In this stunning book, David Almond revisits Mina before she has met Michael, before she has met Skellig.
Shortlisted for the 2012 Carnegie Medal. (20100901)
And so Mina writes and writes in her notebook, and here is her journal, Mina's life in Mina's own words: her stories and dreams, experiences and thoughts, her scribblings and nonsense, poems and songs. Her vivid account of her vivid life.
In this stunning book, David Almond revisits Mina before she has met Michael, before she has met Skellig.
Shortlisted for the 2012 Carnegie Medal. (20100901)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Mina reminds me of the secret child I used to be.
Wonderful, inquisitive, though provoking and full of little snippets of knowledge- perfect for any teenager!
Written in a frequent, snappy style, as the reader it is a wonderful being trusted enough to find out about the 'tree-girl'.
Personally, I liked Almond's story-writing here more than I did in Skellig. I think he has shown to us yet again how perceptive he is to his characters. I read a few reviews of Skellig earlier and came across one person claiming that the characters were as life-like as "rag dolls". I think this book shows that a narrative style often is dictated by the characters. Contrast Mina and Michael and both books are the written results one would expect!
Thank you!
Wonderful, inquisitive, though provoking and full of little snippets of knowledge- perfect for any teenager!
Written in a frequent, snappy style, as the reader it is a wonderful being trusted enough to find out about the 'tree-girl'.
Personally, I liked Almond's story-writing here more than I did in Skellig. I think he has shown to us yet again how perceptive he is to his characters. I read a few reviews of Skellig earlier and came across one person claiming that the characters were as life-like as "rag dolls". I think this book shows that a narrative style often is dictated by the characters. Contrast Mina and Michael and both books are the written results one would expect!
Thank you!
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Refreshingly unconventional, I read it to my daughter and both she and I loved it.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The 2011 Guardian Children's Fiction prize shortlist includes My Name is Mina, by David Almond, a wonderful, poetic story depicting home education.
My Name is Mina is a rare books - beautifully written using language in an almost hypnotic way, quirky and with an instinctive understanding of unschooling/autonomous/informal education.
Written as Mina's diary, it reflects the main character's creativity and curiosity. Mina loves words - the sound of them, their flow and patterns, reflected in the wonderful use of words, fonts and space throughout the book. She has a uncompromising sense of wonder at the world around her - from the blackbird chicks in her tree, to the sheer immensity of the universe.
As a result Mina does not fit in at school. She is unwilling or unable to lose herself and her world of words and ideas in order to meet the requirements of school or fit in with the other children. So her mother takes her out of school to be home educated. The diary tells of her experiences leading up to leaving school, her coming to terms with the loss of her father and dealing with having been a square peg in a round hole, until eventually she comes to a place where she can reconnect with the world again.
The descriptions of the quiet moments of contemplation and the time spent round the kitchen table making and talking with her Mum are something that will strike a chord with many home educators.
My Name is Mina is a rare books - beautifully written using language in an almost hypnotic way, quirky and with an instinctive understanding of unschooling/autonomous/informal education.
Written as Mina's diary, it reflects the main character's creativity and curiosity. Mina loves words - the sound of them, their flow and patterns, reflected in the wonderful use of words, fonts and space throughout the book. She has a uncompromising sense of wonder at the world around her - from the blackbird chicks in her tree, to the sheer immensity of the universe.
As a result Mina does not fit in at school. She is unwilling or unable to lose herself and her world of words and ideas in order to meet the requirements of school or fit in with the other children. So her mother takes her out of school to be home educated. The diary tells of her experiences leading up to leaving school, her coming to terms with the loss of her father and dealing with having been a square peg in a round hole, until eventually she comes to a place where she can reconnect with the world again.
The descriptions of the quiet moments of contemplation and the time spent round the kitchen table making and talking with her Mum are something that will strike a chord with many home educators.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Compelling reading for both children and adults who will come away...
Alison for Big Book Little book
Mina is different. Not like other children her age. She tries to do as she is told in school but she can never quite manage it. Read more
Mina is different. Not like other children her age. She tries to do as she is told in school but she can never quite manage it. Read more
Published 4 days ago by Big Book Little Book
poetic
This is on the Carnegie list for 2012 and for me it is a clear winner. It is a sequel to Skellig but though I would suggest you read it in that order, it is not really a story,... Read more
Published 24 days ago by lyra
Amazing
This book is fabulous! I love how the words are free and flowing around the page. I am 10 and this book is amazing, extraordinary loved it !!! :) :) :) :) <3
Published 1 month ago by S. M. C. Goldrick
Mina
I loved reading this book. Another brilliant story by David Almond. If you haven't already read Skellig, do so. They belong together
Published 2 months ago by WendyWoo
My Name is Mina
My name is Mina.
My name is Mina is a GREAT book. What I liked about it is...
' 1st person
' Journal type
' Different activities in it
I would say it... Read more
My name is Mina is a GREAT book. What I liked about it is...
' 1st person
' Journal type
' Different activities in it
I would say it... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Bridgetown Book Club
Better than Skellig
I read Skellig when I was at school and I enjoyed it, but I didn't totally love it. The story did stay with me though and so I thought I'd give this a try - I'm really glad that I... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Stepping Out of the Page
A beautiful prequel
In order to truly appreciate this book, you really need to read it with a copy of Skellig to hand. Skellig was written first, but tells the story of Mina and her friend Michael... Read more
Published 15 months ago by Mrs. K. A. Wheatley
Almond's wonderful prequel to Skellig
In this brilliantly crafted book we immersed in the mind of Mina, the kooky girl who befriends Michael in Skellig and shares with him his discovery of the strange and wonderful... Read more
Published 16 months ago by Jo Bennie
A book of many layers
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. Read more
This novel is all about Mina, the girl who befriends Michael in one of David Almond's previous novels, Skellig. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Teddy
intrigued
This book is intriguing as it poses further questions and is written in easily digestible chunks.
Enjoyable but not as special as the first one... Read more
Enjoyable but not as special as the first one... Read more
Published 20 months ago by ES
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