The Silver Child

by Cliff McNish

Book Overview

The Silver Child is the exciting first novel in Cliff McNish's heart-stopping new trilogy. Six children experience life-altering changes and leave the comfort of their homes far behind. They are drawn to Coldharbour--an eerie wasteland of wind, rats, seagulls, and garbage dumps. Each child has a unique gift, but they must quickly learn to use their new skills. For drawing ever closer is something vast and dreadful set to destroy them all.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1575058251
• ISBN13: 9781575058252
• Release Date: January 2005
• Publisher: Carolrhoda Books
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.5" x 8.2"
• Age Range: 10 to 13 years
• Grade Range: Grades 5 to 8

Customer Reviews

A must read - and I do mean must!

When I first saw The Silver Child, I was a little hesitant to pick it up. Normally I do read sci-fi - avidly - but the cover of this book was a little bit weird for me. However, curiosity won out, and I got the book. I could always return it, right? Once I started reading, however, all thoughts of returning it flew out of my mind. I can honestly say that The Silver Child is one of the best books I have ever read. From the first paragraph, the plot drew me in, raising questions, keeping me in suspense, and, most of all, puzzling me. What kind of amazing mind could create a story as wonderful as that? And write it so well, too! I felt like I was in the story with the characters - they all seemed so real! Now that, to me, is what makes a good book - believable characters, interesting and active plot - and this book has all of those things. I finished the entire book in 3 hours and dashed back to the library to get the next book (The Silver City, if anyone's interested). I would recommend The Silver Child to any sci-fi or fantasy lover - or really anyone, it's that good. Read it!

Two Thumbs Way Up!

My 10 year old son was not much of a reader until he discovered this book. One day while we were in the book store for me, I "strongly encouraged" my son to select a book. He reluctantly grabbed Silver Child off of the shelf simply because of the picture, and said "This will do". He hadn't even glanced at the text. He just couldn't put it down! This book made a reader out of my son! Two years later, and he still hasn't stopped reading, and often I have to insist that he stop reading and go to bed! We went on to buy the rest of the books in the trilogy (which we had to get from the UK as they weren't available in the USA yet) and he loved every one. We have passed the books on to friends who also loved them. I would DEFINITELY recommend this book for any fantasy/adventure loving youth!

Interesting-but wierd!

My 9 and 10 year old children enjoyed this book very much. They found the plot to be very engaging, if stranger than normal, and were very intrigued by the developing story. The changes that happen to the children are bizarre and yet McNish paints the characters with understanding and sympathy. The underlying themes of childhood (being different from others, betraying and being betrayed by frieds, etc) are given new and deeper twists in this excellent book. Read it!

A Gold Medal for The Silver Child

When writing a book, the author is like a painter at his canvas. He tries to capture every detail of the scene and display it in a way that lures a particular emotion from the viewer. Cliff McNish has once again created one of these works, but in a different style from his Doomspell trilogy. The book 'The Silver Child' delves into the child's psyche in a way that rivals Golding's 'The Lord of the Flies,' while at the same time it maintains a level of simplicity that makes it flow along its timeline. In this book, the first of three, we are introduced to the main characters, Milo, Thomas, Emily, Freda, Walter, and Helen, from the viewpoint of one of them in each chapter. While in one chapter you may experience Milo's story, in another you may be looking through Thomas' or Helen's eyes. It is this viewpoint that allows for each emotion to be transmitted directly to the reader. Some scenes make you smile, while others make you gasp, while others still make you scratch your head. The story makes you feel as if you are Thomas as he tries to reach out to the other children or Milo as he eats insanely. Each scene gives you a feeling as you read it- when Milo winces you wince back. When Thomas' weariness lulls him to sleep, you feel that lethargy. It is because of this attention to detail that you barely notice the book passing. True, the story itself is short and perhaps leaves a lot of the plot to its sequels, but each scene receives more than enough detail to enthrall readers. I, personally, would recommend this book to any fantasy fan. The story is strong enough to keep you hooked; yet it manages to be more satisfying at its end than that of most books belonging to a series. The book's plot is rather symbolic to those willing to reflect upon it, while even younger readers will be able to grasp and enjoy the story. McNish has done a wonderful job on this book, and the rest of the series looks even better. Each brushstroke brings the series closer together, and if the series moves as the Doomspell trilogy did, together they shall form a work of art.