Clay (Shortlisted For Carnegie Medal 2006)

Description: 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.

Review: An effective, engaging story. The Scottish Sunday Herald Funny, mysterious, moving, frightening and so deftly constructed as to be fiercely compelling. This is extraordinary story telling. The Sunday Times A stunning read. The Sunday Times This adroit and perceptive novel has both immediate appeal and long-lasting resonance. The Guardian Both exhilarating and horrifying. Time Out Dark and thought-provoking. The Guardian The climax of this strange miraculous, beautiful book will make it a classroom classic. The Times This is the best that children's fiction has to offer. Brilliant. The Guardian His most mysterious and spellbinding work yet. Daily Express Hypnotic storytelling. The Guardian An astonishing journey. I believe that Almond's books should be compulsory reading in all secondary schools. -- Imogen Stubbs The Daily Telegraph ... a work of art out of the simplest words ... Amanda Craig, The Times ... funny, mysterious, moving, frightening, and so deftly constructed as to be fiercely compelling. ... not beneath the attention of adult readers. Nicolette Jones, The Sunday Times He weaves a story web, spiderlike, that holds the reader spellbound while he spins new thought-threads on universal themes Carousel, Autumn 2005 ... lilting prose and a seamless blending of primitive magic with discerning realism. ... elegiac lyricism of a lament for lost innocence but punctuated by moments of sharply observed humour, this adroit and perceptive novel has both immediate appeal and long-lasting resonance. The Guardian '... another gripping read from one of the master storytellers.' Books Quarterly '...this story is totally accessible...an involving and thought provoking read.' The Carnegie Medal Website 'Focusing on good and evil, love and desire and the supernatural, Clay transcends the limitations of some writing for children.' Catriona Ferguson

Prizes: Shortlisted for Carnegie Medal 2006.

Author Biography: David Almond is twice winner of the Whitbread Children's Book Award. His first novel, SKELLIG, won the Whitbread Children's Award and the Carnegie Medal and was made into a feature-length film on Sky1. His second, KIT'S WILDERNESS, won the Smarties Award Silver Medal, was Highly Commended for the Carnegie Medal, and shortlisted for the Guardian Award. THE FIRE-EATERS won the Whitbread, the Smarties Gold Award and was shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal, and his most recent novel, CLAY, was shortlisted for the Costa Children's Book Award, and the Carnegie Medal. David has also won the 2010 Hans Christian Andersen Award for his lasting contribution to children's literature and is widely regarded as one of the most exciting and innovative children's authors writing today. His books are bestsellers all over the world. He lives with his family in Northumberland. www.davidalmond.com