The Naming of Tishkin Silk

Thoughtful and honest, this tender portrayal of a family's loss and the power of friendship will appeal to sensitive readers who enjoy character-driven novels. First in a series of companion books about the Kingdom of Silk, Millard's writing is similar to that of Patricia's MacLachlan's later books. The Naming of Tishkin Silk is perfect in tone, flow, word choice and dialogue. This is a book I will keep, re-read, and share.

Summary: Griffin is a young boy whose mom and baby sister went away and he didn't know why. He goes to school and befriends Layla. They go through the school days together and he shares his emotions with her. The reader finds out that his little sister had passed away. His mom arrives home finally and she seems better than before when she was a "sad, trailed stranger." He plans a naming day celebration on what would have been the little sister's first birthday and he names her Tishkin Silk.

Review: I think this story is very deep and emotional. It is about losing a sibling or the lost angels. This would have to be a book that is geared specifically to children who can handle this type of topic, or have experienced it themselves.

An uncommon boy, born on Feb. 29th and now 8 years old, named Griffin Silk grieves for his absent mother and baby sister, though his loving father, grandmother, and older sisters are there in abundance. Due to his mother's absence, he can no longer be home-schooled and must attend the local public one. He is lucky to be befriended by Layla, who gives him the courage to share his grief with her -- grief over the baby sister who died in her cot during the night before she could reach the age of one when Silk children are officially named in the Naming Ceremony. Layla and Griffin arrange for the baby's Naming Ceremony to take place on her one-year birthday and invite Griffin's mother (in a hospital or institution somewhere) to attend. She show more arrives on the day, spurred back to her family again by Griffin's invitation (and a note from Layla). The name Griffin has heard whispered in the trees becomes his sister's name -- Tishkin. (Hard not to cry at the end...)

A short novel - with large spacing between the lines. Good for a read-aloud?

I had a family recently come looking for a book about cot death (as a baby cousin had died at two years old of the swine flu) -- and had no books to recommend. Here is one... show less

Griffin was born after four sisters on February 29th, a leap year day. This makes him an uncommon boy according to his father. He makes friends with Layla, a young girl who helps him fit in at school, shares the interests he has and gently helps him share about his baby sister that Griffin calls Tishkin.This is a lovely bok that treats the death of a young child gently and sensitively. I would recommend it for children over 8 to teenage years as a good read but for those dealing with this issue I would even suggest it as a helpful read for adults

Sad but sweet. The illustrations are charming and the language is straightforward for the younger students. A sad topic but handled beautifully.

Griffin Silk feels responsible for the absence of his mother and baby sister, but he and his new friend Layla find the perfect way to make everyone feel a little bit better.

A 1001 CBYMRBYGU. I don’t want to give away the plot, so I’ll just tell you that Griffin’s mother and baby sister are gone and he is sad. Griffin has to start school for the first time after being homeschooled, and it is quite an adjustment for Griffin. Luckily, Griffin meets Layla and they become fast friends.