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Clay

(2006, Fiction - Fantasy, Written by David Almond)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 12, age appropriate for kids over 14; suggested age 12.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Odd but thought-provoking suspense.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 12–14

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    The hero of the story lies (including to parents, a priest, and the police), steals, smokes, doesn't keep promises.

  • Violence:

    A teen is pushed off a cliff to his death, several fights (one with a knife, though no serious injuries), beatings, and violent dreams, an attacking dog is hit with a rock.

  • Sex:

    Kissing, a rude reference to pregnancy, mooning.

  • Language:

    Moderate swearing: hell, damn, bastard, etc. Much British slang.

  • Consumerism:

    Various British brands mentioned, such as Players cigarettes.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Children smoke and drink altar wine, teens and adults drink and get drunk.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Clay

Parents need to know that the kids in this book behave badly: They drink, smoke, fight, lie, steal, and in general behave like minor-league hooligans. Also kids may need help sorting out the many confusing ideas about religion raised here.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the many ideas about art and religion that the author poses: Is an artist a kind of god? Do you believe in power? What is life? Are we "both muck and spirit"? If you believe in goodness, must you also believe in evil? And the question raised by the main character himself: Can a person who does many bad things really be good?
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