Griffin Silk, was born on an uncommon day, 29th February. His father thinks he’s likely to be an ‘uncommon boy’, but Griffin is not sure that would be a good thing. Maybe if he was common and ordinary, he wouldn’t have to worry about his secret. Griffin lives in a loving home with his father, many colourful sisters and his grandmother, Nell. Until now, all the children have had home schooling, but because his mother has gone away, as has his baby sister, Griffin must attend the local school. Griffin finds school challenging until he meets Princess Layla, who helps him discover the courage to share his secret.
Caroline Magerl’s beautiful cover art and internal sketches capture perfectly the tone of this story. The language is gentle, Griffin’s voice is strong. When tragedy strikes a family, each member is affected differently. Each looks for an answer to that which is so often unanswerable. The Naming of Tishkin Silk by Glenda Millard (ABC Books 2003) provides many opportunities for discussion and shared experiences. But most of all, it is a compelling read. 9-12 year old readers will enjoy this most, though there is much in this book to interest readers outside this age.
The Naming of Tiskin Silk, by Glenda Millard
ABC Books 2003