This was good, but does the author really know what homeschooled kids are like? Despite that, I liked it a lot.

I could see what the author was trying to craft, but it didn't grab me as much as I had hoped it would. Possible to use this with students in special education as there is a feel of difference about Mina--she also leaves traditional school to be home schooled. The way we get to see the world through Mina's thoughts and journal entries is fun and insightful.

Mina loves the night. All things seem possible while the rest of the world sleeps. Mina also loves the tree in her front yard where she sits astride a branch and watches the world go by or writes in the notebook that has become her journal. However, real daytime life is not so easy for Mina. Her father died when she was young. She has no friends and doesn't fit in at her middle school. One day she hands in a assignment - a page of nonsense, full of made-up words - which sends her teacher, Mrs. Scullery, into hysterics. Mina is expelled. Her mother is happy to home-school Mina but are there other alternatives available? Reviewed by BPL volunteer LS.

'My Name is Mina' is the prequel to popular book 'Skellig' which focuses on the character Mina before she meets Micheal.This book seemed to bring me back to my childhood, I really enjoyed it. I loved the way Almond presented the format this book (ie. font style) and I liked the way I could follow Mina as she makes discoveries not only about the world, but about herself.

Homeschooled Mina's story told in journal form. The October pick for Kids' Maximum Shelf--the monthly Shelf Awareness feature that focuses on an upcoming title that they love.