The Silver Child: Book one of the Silver Sequence [Library Binding]

Cliff McNish (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2005 | Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up | Series: Silver Sequence (Book 1)

Six children leave the comfort of their homes. They are drawn to Coldharbour - an eerie wasteland of wind, rats, seagulls and rubbish tips. Emily and Freda, the twins, scuttle bright eyed and insect-like in search of the others. They find Thomas on a food tip. The gentle giant boy Walter joins them and so does Helen, who can read minds. And at the centre of it all is luminous Milo, his skin hot and bright with silver. Each of them has a unique gift, but they must learn to use their skills fast. Drawing ever closer in a maelstrom of fury is the Roar, something vast and dreadful that wants to destroy them all. As in The Doomspell trilogy, Cliff's characters really are 'the children next door' until they discover the powers they possess and he sweeps them and the reader into his worlds of magical fantasy, writing exciting, breathtaking adventures with richly imagined, vividly drawn characters, and an infectious energy, warmth and humour. The Silver Child is book 1 in a heart-stopping new sequence.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5 Up–Six children are all drawn to Coldharbour, a huge refuse dump where dangerous child gangs are the only other humans around, and begin to change and develop amazing powers. Milo starts eating and drinking everything in sight and his skin turns golden and then a blinding silver. Thomas discovers that he can offer his beauty as a healing power to others. Twins Emily and Freda move about on all fours. Walter is 12 feet tall, strong as an ox, and a true gentle giant. Helen develops the ability to read minds. The youngsters start to hear "the roar," which fills their world but they cannot determine where it is coming from. They only know that it is the sound of what is threatening them. It is not until the end of the book that they discover at least part of why they are there. This story has an entirely original concept. The imagination and creativity behind it are incredible, taking readers on a sometimes-confusing but ultimately amazing journey right along with the characters. This is the first in a unique fantasy series, so readers will have to wait for the next volume to get answers to many of the questions posed.–Tasha Saecker, Caestecker Public Library, Green Lake, WI
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Gr. 6-8. Coldharbour is not a place one goes willingly; it is a vast, desolate dump, populated by gangs, scavengers, and rodents. But for six children, strangers at first, Coldharbour is a meeting place, as mysterious as the strange transformations that endow the children with special gifts. There's Milo, whose shocking transformation opens the novel; Thomas, who transmits healing beauty; and Helen, a mind reader who resists involvement but cannot abandon those in need. Gentle boy-giant Walter and insectlike twin girls round out the cast of distinctly drawn characters, who attract even as they repel. Each one reveals heart and humanity even in the face of horrific events. McNish, author of the Doomspell Trilogy, writes a darkly compelling fantasy, using alternating narratives to add to the suspense. His vivid, often lyrical prose will engage readers, and his tantalizing conclusion hints at an enemy and a confrontation of massive scale that seem to pave the way for future titles. Shelle Rosenfeld
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Library Binding: 192 pages
• Publisher: Carolrhoda Books (January 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1575058251
• ISBN-13: 978-1575058252
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #946,798 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Gold Medal for The Silver Child, April 30, 2005

By 

Marshall R. Brennan (New Hampshire, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Silver Child: Book one of the Silver Sequence (Library Binding)

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.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Two Thumbs Way Up!, February 6, 2007

By 

Dominique Russell (Ocean, NJ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Silver Child: Book one of the Silver Sequence (Library Binding)

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!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting-but wierd!, September 2, 2005

By 

Biogal (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Silver Child: Book one of the Silver Sequence (Library Binding)

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!