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Claws
When Cody is 14, he runs away from home, leaving behind his abusive mother, and flees across the country. He doesn’t stop until he hits Texas and the Sam Houston Tiger Ranch. Under the guidance of Sunny, the ranch’s owner, he cares for the animals in ways he never imagined. He feeds them a diet of raw, bloody meat. He cleans out their cages. He takes them for exercise. He finds out how to get a tiger to back down, and when he should back down himself. But there is another lesson Cody has to learn—sometimes people are harder to handle than tigers.
- GenresYoung AdultAnimals
208 pages, Hardcover
First published June 27, 2006
9 people are currently reading
69 people want to read
About the author
Dan Greenburg
159 books74 followersDAN GREENBURG BIO
BOOKS:
Dan's 73 books have been published in 24 countries.
His adult best-sellers include EXES, LOVE KILLS, HOW TO BE A JEWISH MOTHER, HOW TO MAKE YOURSELF MISERABLE, and HOW TO AVOID LOVE AND MARRIAGE. How to be a Jewish Mother sold several million copies. It and How to Make Yourself Miserable were in print for 30 years and were on Publishers Weekly’s list of all-time bestsellers.
Amazon will publish Dan’s third psychological thriller, FEAR ITSELF, in January 2014. They’ll also republish his first two thrillers, EXES and LOVE KILLS.
He’s written four series of children's books: THE ZACK FILES, SECRETS OF DRIPPING FANG, WEIRD PLANET, and MAXIMUM BOY. The Zack Files sold more than 2 million copies, was translated into 20 languages, and generated an Emmy-winning 52-episode TV series that ran on Showtime and Fox Family.
ADVENTURES:
Dan has written extensively about his adventures:
Riding with NYPD homicide detectives for two years to research thrillers FEAR ITSELF, EXES, and LOVE KILLS.
Interviewing murderers alone in their maximum security prison cells for FEAR ITSELF.
Attending autopsies in the NYC morgue for EXES.
Learning how to discipline tigers and lions on a Texas tiger ranch.
Swimming with 80,000 lb. humpback whales in the deep ocean.
Flying upside down with a stunt pilot in an open-cockpit biplane.
Participating in dangerous voodoo rites in Haiti.
Riding with NYC firemen for four months and following them into burning buildings.
Searching for the Loch Ness Monster.
Assisting exorcists in a Connecticut house attacked by poltergeists.
Acting a major character role in a Western movie filmed in Spain.
Doing stand-up comedy at the New York Improv, and on TV talk shows.
Getting screamed at by Orson Welles on the set of Catch-22 in Mexico.
MAGAZINES:
Dan’s articles have appeared in The New Yorker, Esquire, New York Magazine, The New York Times Book Review, The New York Times Magazine, Vanity Fair, The Huffington Post, Time, Life, Newsweek, Ms., Playboy, and have been reprinted in 44 humor anthologies in the U.S. and England.
MOVIES AND TV:
Dan has had six of his feature films produced, two of which are on Variety’s list of top grossing films.
THEATER:
Along with Jules Feiffer, John Lennon and Samuel Beckett, Dan was a contributor to Oh! Calcutta!, which ran on Broadway for 21 years. He was also a contributor to Free to be You and Me, which ran off and on Broadway for years.
MISC.:
Dan has appeared on The Today Show, The Tonight Show, Larry King Live, and Late Night with David Letterman. He grew up in Chicago, got his BFA from the University of Illinois, and his MFA from UCLA. He lives in Westchester, NY and British Columbia with his author wife Judith Greenburg and many cats.
dan@dangreenburg.com
BOOKS:
Dan's 73 books have been published in 24 countries.
His adult best-sellers include EXES, LOVE KILLS, HOW TO BE A JEWISH MOTHER, HOW TO MAKE YOURSELF MISERABLE, and HOW TO AVOID LOVE AND MARRIAGE. How to be a Jewish Mother sold several million copies. It and How to Make Yourself Miserable were in print for 30 years and were on Publishers Weekly’s list of all-time bestsellers.
Amazon will publish Dan’s third psychological thriller, FEAR ITSELF, in January 2014. They’ll also republish his first two thrillers, EXES and LOVE KILLS.
He’s written four series of children's books: THE ZACK FILES, SECRETS OF DRIPPING FANG, WEIRD PLANET, and MAXIMUM BOY. The Zack Files sold more than 2 million copies, was translated into 20 languages, and generated an Emmy-winning 52-episode TV series that ran on Showtime and Fox Family.
ADVENTURES:
Dan has written extensively about his adventures:
Riding with NYPD homicide detectives for two years to research thrillers FEAR ITSELF, EXES, and LOVE KILLS.
Interviewing murderers alone in their maximum security prison cells for FEAR ITSELF.
Attending autopsies in the NYC morgue for EXES.
Learning how to discipline tigers and lions on a Texas tiger ranch.
Swimming with 80,000 lb. humpback whales in the deep ocean.
Flying upside down with a stunt pilot in an open-cockpit biplane.
Participating in dangerous voodoo rites in Haiti.
Riding with NYC firemen for four months and following them into burning buildings.
Searching for the Loch Ness Monster.
Assisting exorcists in a Connecticut house attacked by poltergeists.
Acting a major character role in a Western movie filmed in Spain.
Doing stand-up comedy at the New York Improv, and on TV talk shows.
Getting screamed at by Orson Welles on the set of Catch-22 in Mexico.
MAGAZINES:
Dan’s articles have appeared in The New Yorker, Esquire, New York Magazine, The New York Times Book Review, The New York Times Magazine, Vanity Fair, The Huffington Post, Time, Life, Newsweek, Ms., Playboy, and have been reprinted in 44 humor anthologies in the U.S. and England.
MOVIES AND TV:
Dan has had six of his feature films produced, two of which are on Variety’s list of top grossing films.
THEATER:
Along with Jules Feiffer, John Lennon and Samuel Beckett, Dan was a contributor to Oh! Calcutta!, which ran on Broadway for 21 years. He was also a contributor to Free to be You and Me, which ran off and on Broadway for years.
MISC.:
Dan has appeared on The Today Show, The Tonight Show, Larry King Live, and Late Night with David Letterman. He grew up in Chicago, got his BFA from the University of Illinois, and his MFA from UCLA. He lives in Westchester, NY and British Columbia with his author wife Judith Greenburg and many cats.
dan@dangreenburg.com
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
February 4, 2019
Best book ever.I loved it
March 3, 2020
It was pretty good. No the best book I've ever read tho.
January 28, 2023
Deals with themes of parental abuse, personal growth, but also occasionally makes problematic use of stereotypes.
October 10, 2024
Interesting read. Cody's experiences with the tigers were enjoyable, and it was good to see him grow into someone who could stand up to his abusive mother.
December 13, 2025
A must read if you love the big cats .
Read
October 9, 2013Cody finally gave up trying at fourteen and ran away from his mother, from New York. Now he's in Texas, working his way across the country, lying about his age, and about to walk on to a Tiger Ranch, looking for a job.
Cody's smart. If he could have gotten all A's in school. His mother would have loved that - she would have bragged to all her phony friends. But every time Cody brought his report card home with C's and D' s, she was in actual pain. Of course, so was Cody (page 23). He got punished for his bad grades, physically. It was worth it.
He learns the ropes on the Tiger Ranch and falls asleep quickly that night - worn out. He dreams of a man with a microphone - pointing to two doors: behind one waits a beautiful lady with a check for a million dollars! Behind the other? a hungry tiger. Choose, Cody, take a chance. Are you scared?
Cody answers mechanically with the phrase he's said since he left New York: "I'm not scared of anything."
Cody points to the door on the left - and there - a beautiful lady. His mother. But there was no check for a million dollars and Cody watched her fingernails turn into long, sharp claws - she sprang at Cody and began ripping at his flesh.
But that was the dream. Cody's still not scared of anything, but the job at the Tiger Ranch is going to be a lot harder than he thought. If he can keep out of the way of their claws, stay out of the cages when the tigers and lions are still in them, and keep under the radar so his mother never, ever finds him - he'll be okay. Um. maybe.
Cody's smart. If he could have gotten all A's in school. His mother would have loved that - she would have bragged to all her phony friends. But every time Cody brought his report card home with C's and D' s, she was in actual pain. Of course, so was Cody (page 23). He got punished for his bad grades, physically. It was worth it.
He learns the ropes on the Tiger Ranch and falls asleep quickly that night - worn out. He dreams of a man with a microphone - pointing to two doors: behind one waits a beautiful lady with a check for a million dollars! Behind the other? a hungry tiger. Choose, Cody, take a chance. Are you scared?
Cody answers mechanically with the phrase he's said since he left New York: "I'm not scared of anything."
Cody points to the door on the left - and there - a beautiful lady. His mother. But there was no check for a million dollars and Cody watched her fingernails turn into long, sharp claws - she sprang at Cody and began ripping at his flesh.
But that was the dream. Cody's still not scared of anything, but the job at the Tiger Ranch is going to be a lot harder than he thought. If he can keep out of the way of their claws, stay out of the cages when the tigers and lions are still in them, and keep under the radar so his mother never, ever finds him - he'll be okay. Um. maybe.
November 18, 2012
To be honest, this book was for the most part not what I was expecting.
This story was a adventure. And not the kind with a whole lot of fighting and magic or other type of things that you see in Fantasy books. No this was a book that demonstrated the life of a young boy in search of freedom.
Runaway by choice, this young boy has had his share of problems and is now looking for something that will make him stand up for himself. He ends up in a tiger ranch were he learns the nicks and knacks of the job and realizing that some tricks with tigers can be used in real life. As he overcomes these different things, he learns to believe in one's self and admit his worth.
This book was generally a good read. It wasn't overly exaggerated in terms of story line, descriptions or action. It gave a good understanding of the characters personality as you read through the book, which people forget that things like child abuse exist, even for famous people.
I also really did like the action with the tigers.
I would recommend this book for those of you who are looking for a small read and are looking to understand what happens behind the scene of child abuse. Of course you can read it if you like tigers, that's also a very good reason, and this book offers a lot of info on them.
I hope you like this book, so enjoy!
This story was a adventure. And not the kind with a whole lot of fighting and magic or other type of things that you see in Fantasy books. No this was a book that demonstrated the life of a young boy in search of freedom.
Runaway by choice, this young boy has had his share of problems and is now looking for something that will make him stand up for himself. He ends up in a tiger ranch were he learns the nicks and knacks of the job and realizing that some tricks with tigers can be used in real life. As he overcomes these different things, he learns to believe in one's self and admit his worth.
This book was generally a good read. It wasn't overly exaggerated in terms of story line, descriptions or action. It gave a good understanding of the characters personality as you read through the book, which people forget that things like child abuse exist, even for famous people.
I also really did like the action with the tigers.
I would recommend this book for those of you who are looking for a small read and are looking to understand what happens behind the scene of child abuse. Of course you can read it if you like tigers, that's also a very good reason, and this book offers a lot of info on them.
I hope you like this book, so enjoy!
March 15, 2012
Cody is 14 and on the run from his abusive mother. She's hasn't given up looking for him. After a close call, he decides it's time to move on again. There's an opening at some kind of wild animal ranch that sounds interesting, so he heads that direction. Although he has to lie about his age, he does get the job.
Cody has never been afraid of anything (so he tells everyone, anyway), and it's a good thing, too, because his new job is taking care of tigers and other big cats. Shovelling their poop, feeding them raw meat (and removing what's left of the putrid carcasses later), and even taking them for walks sometimes (once the boss thinks he's ready).
The owner of the ranch may or may not have killed her brother, but that doesn't concern him...yet. What's always in the back of his mind, though, is the worry that his mother will find him. As his confidence grows, he becomes determined to find a way to face all of the dangers in his life--maybe even the one he ran away from in the first place.
If you have a weak stomach, this is probably not the book for you, as it clearly describes the less pleasant aspects of caring for the animals.
Recommended for teenage boys.
Cody has never been afraid of anything (so he tells everyone, anyway), and it's a good thing, too, because his new job is taking care of tigers and other big cats. Shovelling their poop, feeding them raw meat (and removing what's left of the putrid carcasses later), and even taking them for walks sometimes (once the boss thinks he's ready).
The owner of the ranch may or may not have killed her brother, but that doesn't concern him...yet. What's always in the back of his mind, though, is the worry that his mother will find him. As his confidence grows, he becomes determined to find a way to face all of the dangers in his life--maybe even the one he ran away from in the first place.
If you have a weak stomach, this is probably not the book for you, as it clearly describes the less pleasant aspects of caring for the animals.
Recommended for teenage boys.
May 18, 2013
Claws by Dan Greenburg is a very interesting and thrilling novel. This book is about a 14 year old boy named Cody. He ran away from his abusive mother in New York and started working at a tiger ranch in Texas. He learns to face his fears and he is taught many things, such as how to get a tiger to back down. He feeds them, cleans their cages and he takes them for exercise. All of this is taught to Cody from the owner of the ranch, Sunny. Sunny is a very tough woman and she teaches Cody many things. Parts of this story are thrilling and suspenseful. It is very action-packed. This story is very well done. I enjoyed this book very much and I never wanted to put it down. The author made the story suspenseful and interesting and you always want to read more. The only thing I would have liked more is if the author added more about the mother and how she was trying to find him. This book did have parts where there was some language and some was frightening. I would suggest a mature reader and someone who would not get offended by language or get too upset. I really enjoyed this book. It is honestly one of the best books I have ever read.
January 12, 2016
Claws was very suspenseful and hopeful. Cody is very inspiring when he was with the tigers. Since he had run away from home at only the age of 14 there was drama between him and his mother. There was the right amount of suspicion when he was trying to find out what happened to his boss's brother. The most inspiring and hopeful part of the book when he made a friend ship with the meanest tiger that they had. When he saved the tiger from being shot by his co-worker he was very brave and inspiring showing me that if you know what your doing a tiger can be trusted. The tigers loved him very much and they all had beautiful friendships. A little more drama was added when there was a terrible storm and a tornado that disrupted the well being of the big cats and caused many problems, starting with the fact that all the cat had gotten out and multiple had died. When Cody stood up for himself when his mom was trying make him leave his favorite job out of the many that he had. The book was filled with mysteries and lots of hope.
March 19, 2010
synopsis-a young boy by the name of zack tries to taim a wild but rare tiger but things go wrong and he is attacked
classification-
audience:10+
purpose:becuase this book is a bit guesoum and gives alot of details but it is very entertaining
medium:chapter book
genre:setting-realistic fiction
genre:style-melodrama
genre:plot-action/adventure
critisim:i thought that this book was a good entertaining book becuase it tells how this 14 year old boy named zach works at this tiger ranch to support help and feed tigers exept he meets this neat tiger whos really rare becuase its white with black stripes instead of orange with black stripes but this tiger is really visous also it always jumps at the chain link fence to lunge at the boy but one night the boy thought he could taim him and sliped into his cage while he was sleeping and thats when everything went tragicly wrong when the tiger woke up and took it chance.
classification-
audience:10+
purpose:becuase this book is a bit guesoum and gives alot of details but it is very entertaining
medium:chapter book
genre:setting-realistic fiction
genre:style-melodrama
genre:plot-action/adventure
critisim:i thought that this book was a good entertaining book becuase it tells how this 14 year old boy named zach works at this tiger ranch to support help and feed tigers exept he meets this neat tiger whos really rare becuase its white with black stripes instead of orange with black stripes but this tiger is really visous also it always jumps at the chain link fence to lunge at the boy but one night the boy thought he could taim him and sliped into his cage while he was sleeping and thats when everything went tragicly wrong when the tiger woke up and took it chance.
August 14, 2015
If you like tigers and you like misteries,this is a great book for you! I didn't expect it to end the way it did. "Life doesn't always work out the way you want it to, but sometimes the bad guys get what they deserve." In this book there are 4 bad guys. It makes the book really exciting. I was on the edge of my seat and couldn't wait to find out what happened next.
This book is about a 14 year old boy who hitch hikes from New York all the to Texas where he ends up at the Sam Houston Tiger Ranch. Looking for a job, Cody becomes a tiger wrangler. While on the job, Cody hears something he believes is too good to be true. Is it really true or just a false roomer to cover up the tracks of somebody else?
This book is about a 14 year old boy who hitch hikes from New York all the to Texas where he ends up at the Sam Houston Tiger Ranch. Looking for a job, Cody becomes a tiger wrangler. While on the job, Cody hears something he believes is too good to be true. Is it really true or just a false roomer to cover up the tracks of somebody else?
October 29, 2014
The book claws was an okay book, but if you like tiger books this is an amazing book to read. This book should have a second part to it because I liked how it ended but it should be continued.
This book is about a 14 year old boy who doesn't like school and wants to run off. He lives in New York but decides to move to Texas for a job opportunity. Cody gets a job as a wrangler at a tiger ranch by lying. He lies because he thinks if he tells his actual age he won't get the job.
I would highly recommend this book to people who like tigers and the stuff to do with them.
This book is about a 14 year old boy who doesn't like school and wants to run off. He lives in New York but decides to move to Texas for a job opportunity. Cody gets a job as a wrangler at a tiger ranch by lying. He lies because he thinks if he tells his actual age he won't get the job.
I would highly recommend this book to people who like tigers and the stuff to do with them.
November 13, 2014
This book is really good it is about a boy named Cody who had been lying about his age and name for as long as he could remember. He has been hitch hiking across the state to get out of his mothers reach he finally finds a place he wants to stay it is a tiger ranch. One of his bosses gets framed for a murder and cody is trying to prove she didn't. Will his mother catch him, will cody prove his boss didn't do it? read to find out.
December 4, 2009
It was good. A 7.5/10 is what i gave it. There were some parts that good have been better and more could have been put in, but for the most part it was very good.
There were a couple of parts that almost made me cry, like a part where is mother cuts off the head of his bear.
It is a good read of 200 pages.
There were a couple of parts that almost made me cry, like a part where is mother cuts off the head of his bear.
It is a good read of 200 pages.
August 11, 2016
Fourteen-year-old Cody runs away from his home in New York City and an abusive mother. He ends up working at a tiger ranch in Texas. He is enjoying his job and decides to help out his boss who has been accused of murdering her missing brother. Cody finds his inner strength to stand up to the tigers and his mother. Boys will enjoy this story even though the ending is a little weak.
August 1, 2011
Cody is big for his fourteen years so when he runs away from his abusive mother he is able to pretend to have left school. He has always pretended to have no fear but when he ends up on a tiger ranch in Texas both the people and the tigers put him to the test.
July 15, 2008
I love this book! I absolutly Loved all the suspension and mystery!
Read
October 19, 2009I love this book and I have met dan greenburg!! Thanks to my wonderful 3rd grade teacher Michele Yokell! Thanks Michele :)
May 12, 2010
Boys will love this book because of the adventure!
November 13, 2012
This was an ok book. I just didnt get into it like most animal books (i love animals). I do say go and read this book because it was a good book. Not GREAT but good.
December 22, 2014
Good pace and interesting content for middle school, especially boys.
Read
July 19, 2012It was a neat book about animals and people
January 5, 2013
Really vivid descriptions of working on a tiger ranch; I learned a lot.
Read
October 23, 20146260d1dc-a5e6-4b71-96ec-fd3241ed86e4
November 28, 2015
because Carson told me to read it
December 3, 2015
I loved this book as well. It made me very emotional, and it included big cats.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews