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Clay

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Clay

By: David Almond
Narrated by: Stephen Tompkinson
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About this listen

 With fascination, Davie and his friend Geordie watch the arrival of a new boy, Stephen Rose, in their town. He seems to have come from nowhere, and when he arrives to live with his distant aunt, the local Crazy Mary, no one envies his new home. But perhaps he's the answer to Davie and Geordie's prayers - a secret weapon in their war against monstrous Mouldy and his gang.

Intrigued, Davie and Geordie befriend Stephen. But they are heading innocently down a path that brings with it a monster of an entirely unexpected nature. Their encounter with the mysterious Stephen is as incredible as it is menacing, and as the true story of Stephen's past slowly emerges, Davie's life is changed for ever.

A stunning novel from the author of the modern children's classic Skellig - winner of the Carnegie Medal and the Whitbread Children's Book Award. David Almond is also winner of the 2010 Hans Christian Andersen award.

Clay was shortlisted for the Costa Children's Book Award and the Carnegie Medal and has been adapted by the BBC into a feature-length film.

(P) Hodder Children's Books 2005©2005 David Almond Chapter Books & Readers Growing Up & Facts of Life Literature & Fiction Mystery & Suspense Thrillers & Suspense Fiction

Critic reviews

An effective, engaging story.
Funny, mysterious, moving, frightening and so deftly constructed as to be fiercely compelling. This is extraordinary story telling.
A stunning read.
This adroit and perceptive novel has both immediate appeal and long-lasting resonance.
Both exhilarating and horrifying.
Dark and thought-provoking.
The climax of this strange miraculous, beautiful book will make it a classroom classic.
This is the best that children's fiction has to offer. Brilliant.
His most mysterious and spellbinding work yet.
Hypnotic storytelling.
An astonishing journey. I believe that Almond's books should be compulsory reading in all secondary schools. (Imogen Stubbs)
All stars
Most relevant
Yet another miraculous book by David almond, a story of good and evil, truth and craziness. When Stephen rose appears in Felling with a mysterious past two boys take him in as their friend. Stephen is odd and makes things outbid clay but this isn't all he can do. Him and Davie go on a journey through lies and truth and make a monster. A big one. Another miraculous book. David almond is a godsend!

Fantastic, strange but fantastic.

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