Parents' Guide to

Clay

By Matt Berman, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Boys create a golem in this odd but provoking book.

Book David Almond Fantasy 2006
Clay Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

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What's the Story?

Davie and his best mate Geordie are altar boys always up for a bit of trouble -- smoking, drinking stolen altar wine, fighting with the neighborhood toughs, avoiding Mouldy, who's a bigger tough than they can handle, and cadging tips at funerals. Then Stephen Rose comes to town. Stephen has come to live with his crazy aunt after his father died and his mother went insane and had to be locked up. The priest asks Davie to befriend him. Stephen has a real talent with sculpting clay. But more than that, he has a talent that he believes Davie shares -- to bring his creations to life. Together they sculpt a golem, a giant clay monster, and bring it to life to protect themselves from Mouldy. But Stephen's intentions go far beyond mere protection.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say Not yet rated
Kids say (3):

David Almond writes some of the flat-out weirdest kids' books around. At their best, they are gorgeous, compelling, and powerful. Here Almond displays poetic lyricism, bizarre imagination, and complex emotional undercurrents, then binds it together with suspense and enough intriguing ideas to give thoughtful kids plenty to chew on.

There are layers upon layers, and good and evil intertwine. CLAY has lots British slang that may frustrate some young readers, but those who persevere will find this an edgy and exciting look at some pretty big ideas, including the nature of good, evil, creativity, and God, and the complex relationships among them, all wrapped up in early adolescent angst and uncertainty and bravado.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about other golem stories, such as Frankenstein. Why do you think people are intrigued by this idea?

  • Davies asks if a person who does many bad things can really be good. What do you think of this question?

Book Details

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