Clay (novel)

Clay is a 2005 children's/young adult novel by David Almond. It was shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal and longlisted for the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize.[1]

Clay
First edition (publ. Hodder)
AuthorDavid Almond
PublisherHodder Children's Books
Publication date
January 1, 2005
ISBN978-0-340-77384-0

The story, told in first-person, is about two boys, Davie and Stephen, who can make clay come to life. However, things quickly go downhill as the two become involved in a plot to rise a life-size sculpture they name "Clay". The story focuses on the nature of evil and creativity.

It was adapted for television in 2008 by Andrew Gunn, first aired on BBC One on 30 March 2008, and later rebroadcast another 9 times on BBC HD.[2]

Plot

14 year old Davie and his friend, Geordie, are altar boys at their local Catholic church. They get into all kinds of mischief, such as stealing altar wine and fighting with a group from a rival school. One day, they spot a strange new boy named Stephen Rose, who has a passion for making sculptures, moving into his aunt "Crazy" Mary's house. Father O'Mahoney urges the two boys to befriend him, thinking they could be the friends Stephen needs to get over the trauma of losing both his parents. At first reluctant, believing Stephen to be doomed to insanity like the rest of his family, Davie grows closer to him and learns of a secret--Stephen can make his sculptures come to life. So can Davie, and Stephen wants his help to make a life-size man out of clay.

Awards and honours
Awards for Clay
Year Award Result Ref.
2005 Carnegie Medal Shortlist
2006 Costa Book Award for Children's Book Shortlist
Guardian Children's Fiction Prize Longlist [1]
2007 Best Books for Young Adults Selection [3]
Manchester Book Award Longlist

References
  1. "Children's Fiction Prize 2006". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 22 January 2023. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  2. "CBBC - Clay". BBC. Archived from the original on 29 October 2022. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
  3. American Library Association (2007). "2007 Best Books for Young Adults". Archived from the original on 13 February 2011. Retrieved 3 February 2011.
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