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Clay
Elsie and her brother have been kidnapped -- by their mother
Eleven-year-old Elsie McPhee and her younger, autistic brother, Tommy, live discreetly with their mother; they are home-schooled and constantly cautioned not to converse with strangers. It's a lonely existence for Elsie, and right when she's finally decided to skirt her mother's rules and make a friend, Mom whisks the kids off to another nondescript furnished apartment in a different state. This latest sudden move spurs Elsie to remember the events of four years ago, when her mother abducted her and Tommy, who were in the sole custody of their father. Then Tommy becomes ill and Mom won't consult a doctor. Elsie must weigh the meaning of past wrongs and use all her courage to make a decision that could change things forever.
Colby Rodowsky has written a novel that will bring readers to the edge of their seats.
Eleven-year-old Elsie McPhee and her younger, autistic brother, Tommy, live discreetly with their mother; they are home-schooled and constantly cautioned not to converse with strangers. It's a lonely existence for Elsie, and right when she's finally decided to skirt her mother's rules and make a friend, Mom whisks the kids off to another nondescript furnished apartment in a different state. This latest sudden move spurs Elsie to remember the events of four years ago, when her mother abducted her and Tommy, who were in the sole custody of their father. Then Tommy becomes ill and Mom won't consult a doctor. Elsie must weigh the meaning of past wrongs and use all her courage to make a decision that could change things forever.
Colby Rodowsky has written a novel that will bring readers to the edge of their seats.
176 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2001
2 people are currently reading
80 people want to read
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March 4, 2015 In my opinion I think Clay is a very good book. I say this because I like reading mysterious books. It is a very good book for young adults in my opinion. I don't think younger kids would understand the concept or whats going on in Clay. You never know whats going to happen. I also like action and it has some of that in it also. But overall its a good book.
Clay is about a young girl named Clay and her brother Tommy. They are living there life s a huge secret. They are in hiding and its been that way for the majority of there life. If people get suspicious they move to a different location. And the kids cant have friends. The plot of this book is the kids have been living a terrible life in hiding and will they ever escape. But along the way they meet a few people that are important in this book. This book really doesn't have a particular setting. They go many different places.
I recommend this book to people who like mystery, action, and a little drama. I think this book is for young adults and adults. I say this because the book makes you feel certain ways at certain times. Sometimes you cant wait to see whats next. And other times it just seems like these two kids have no hope. One connection I made to Clay is that I saw a movie before like this book. It had kind of the same feeling clay has in it but the the plot and theme was the same. But my overall opinion of this is that its a good book to read.
Clay is about a young girl named Clay and her brother Tommy. They are living there life s a huge secret. They are in hiding and its been that way for the majority of there life. If people get suspicious they move to a different location. And the kids cant have friends. The plot of this book is the kids have been living a terrible life in hiding and will they ever escape. But along the way they meet a few people that are important in this book. This book really doesn't have a particular setting. They go many different places.
I recommend this book to people who like mystery, action, and a little drama. I think this book is for young adults and adults. I say this because the book makes you feel certain ways at certain times. Sometimes you cant wait to see whats next. And other times it just seems like these two kids have no hope. One connection I made to Clay is that I saw a movie before like this book. It had kind of the same feeling clay has in it but the the plot and theme was the same. But my overall opinion of this is that its a good book to read.
March 4, 2015
I have read Clay by: Colby Rodowsky...!!! I really liked the book! If you like mystery or adventurous books I strongly recommend you to read this book. I'll just tell you that when I read the first page of this book, it really caught my attention!
It will really touch your heart. WARNING: it might make you sad in some parts....! I have read this book over and over and over about 5 times!!! That's how GREAT this book is! I know that you will want to read it more than once also... So, I suggest you get a copy for yourself!
I hope you LIKE/ LOVE this book!! This book is about a mother who kidnapped he children from their father. They really want to go home and be with their father. They also really want to get help for themselves and their CRAZY mother!! I thought that it was very upsetting that this had to happen...
I wish that I could write a book this good one day! My mother and I read the book together one day and it really touched her heart also... So, I recommend that you read this book! Colby Rodowsky is a great writer...! I have read more than one of her books.. I loved all of them!
It will really touch your heart. WARNING: it might make you sad in some parts....! I have read this book over and over and over about 5 times!!! That's how GREAT this book is! I know that you will want to read it more than once also... So, I suggest you get a copy for yourself!
I hope you LIKE/ LOVE this book!! This book is about a mother who kidnapped he children from their father. They really want to go home and be with their father. They also really want to get help for themselves and their CRAZY mother!! I thought that it was very upsetting that this had to happen...
I wish that I could write a book this good one day! My mother and I read the book together one day and it really touched her heart also... So, I recommend that you read this book! Colby Rodowsky is a great writer...! I have read more than one of her books.. I loved all of them!
March 4, 2015
This book is a very Great Book. It is about 2 kids with a dad and mom that are going through a divorce. the mom kidnaps her own kids from their dad, But with the help of the of the bakery lady they were sent back with their dad in just 4 years. The brother has autism and they don't know hoe to help him because the dad think something is wrong with him, but on the other hand the mom think he is perfectly fine. If you like mystery then this would be a great book for you to read. The setting of this book is at their house mostly. If i were you then i would hurry up and go click read son you can get right into the book of secrets. This boom would be good for people who like mystery and for people who ;like to be happy when they are reading. This is the type of book that would make someone stay up all night just to finish the book. I really hope hen you choose this book you like it very much.
By: Allanah Hayes
By: Allanah Hayes
March 4, 2015
The book Clay will keep you up all night long. When reading this book you must make sure you read every word, the book is just that good. A book like this makes you wanna read it twice. Clay McGee and her brother have been kidnapped but not by a stranger but by their own mother. It is very scary for them always having to be on the run, moving to different states and hiding. Clay even remembers the kidnapping but is to afraid of her mother that she cant tell a single soul.The mother does not allow them to go outside of there apartment or talk to no one. Clay has to take care of her little brother while her mother works long night shifts. Clay is not allowed to have any friends because of what her mother did to them. When Clay finally makes a friend she is scared and has no idea what her mother will say to her. I hate the way the mother treats her kids. This book shows us how not to treat kids. This story has a lot of suspense to it which makes you want to keep reading it and not put the book down. I recommend this book to people who like suspense and sad books.
October 28, 2015
Elsie and her brother, Tommy, live a lonely, secluded life, hopping from one pre-furnished apartment to the next, never attending school, and forbidden to talk to strangers. When their mother uproots them once again, Elsie slowly begins to remember her past, finally realizing that her mother, Jude, has abducted her and her brother from their father. Not until Tommy becomes sick and their mother refuses to take him to a doctor does Elsie gain the courage to defy her and seek help for herself and her brother. Although she is reunited with her father and grandparents after four years, it is clear that returning to her former life will present its own set of challenges.
This book hits a number of difficult subjects—parental abduction, mental illness, and ASD—which are handled with varying skill. Jude’s mental illness is stereotypically fearsome: not only does she abduct her children, but she also treats them cruelly, denying them medical care, forcing Elsie to take on the role of parent to Tommy, and speaking abusively to her daughter. The novel ends on a hopeful note, as Jude receives treatment for her mental illness and rebuilds her bond with Elsie, but she remains an unsympathetic character who seems ruled by her illness. Tommy is also depicted stereotypically—more plot device than character—though Elsie’s love for him and his father’s determination to get him treatment for his ASD do provide a hint of optimism in an otherwise flat, troubling depiction.
The Kirkus review identifies another significant flaw in the novel, but concludes positively: “The novel has many of the characteristics of a movie-of-the-week and secondary characters tend toward one-dimensionality, but strong storytelling and the convincing exploration of Clay’s confusion as she confronts her tremendous fear of and simultaneous intense love for her mother save it from triteness.” While I agree that Rodowsky has effectively and authentically captured the voice and emotions of a young girl forced into the role of an adult as she deals with the stress of a mentally ill mother and autistic brother, I question the value of a novel that depicts those characters in such a negative, unnuanced light.
This book hits a number of difficult subjects—parental abduction, mental illness, and ASD—which are handled with varying skill. Jude’s mental illness is stereotypically fearsome: not only does she abduct her children, but she also treats them cruelly, denying them medical care, forcing Elsie to take on the role of parent to Tommy, and speaking abusively to her daughter. The novel ends on a hopeful note, as Jude receives treatment for her mental illness and rebuilds her bond with Elsie, but she remains an unsympathetic character who seems ruled by her illness. Tommy is also depicted stereotypically—more plot device than character—though Elsie’s love for him and his father’s determination to get him treatment for his ASD do provide a hint of optimism in an otherwise flat, troubling depiction.
The Kirkus review identifies another significant flaw in the novel, but concludes positively: “The novel has many of the characteristics of a movie-of-the-week and secondary characters tend toward one-dimensionality, but strong storytelling and the convincing exploration of Clay’s confusion as she confronts her tremendous fear of and simultaneous intense love for her mother save it from triteness.” While I agree that Rodowsky has effectively and authentically captured the voice and emotions of a young girl forced into the role of an adult as she deals with the stress of a mentally ill mother and autistic brother, I question the value of a novel that depicts those characters in such a negative, unnuanced light.
March 4, 2015
My opinion on clay is a good book for you.I think it is a good book because it talks about a women that has two kids that she really don't have cusidy over.In the book the characters are Elise,Tommy,mom,dad,grandma,grandpa.The book really takes place everywhere because they move so many times.The kids were kidnapped by there mother and they haven't seen there dad since.The mom had them home schooled because she didn't want anybody to know that the kids was kidnapped.Then starts to figure out that she's not supposed to be with her mother she's supposed to be with her dad.One day a girl moved to the apartments and L.C. wanted to go see her but her mom told her to never go out and play with nobody.So clay went out and went to go buy some milk with the 5$ she had.The kids wanted to play with them but her mom said that she couldn't go outside and play.Then the next day she went out there and the kids were out there and she went to go play and the girl brought out some nail polish and they were painting there nails.Elise went back in the house then her mom came home and her mom saw her nails and said what did you do to your nails.Elise said she found it outside and she picked it up and put it on her nails.So tommy had got sick he was not feeling good he had a bad temp and elise was taking care of him.
March 4, 2015
This was a wonderful book. I would recommend it to people that like realistic fiction. Clay and her little brother were abducted by their mother but Tommie which is the little brother has a disorder. This book took place everywhere. The book should be for people who children has been kidnapped. Just knowing that they could be okay. There is always a chance. This book gives me hope.
I can connect to this book because my little brother wandered off. The whole family was worried about him. We all knew there was a chance to finding him, but there also was a chance to not finding him. My point is don't give up. This book was amazing especially the cliffhangers. This book reminds me of searching for sky which was also a great book.
I can connect to this book because my little brother wandered off. The whole family was worried about him. We all knew there was a chance to finding him, but there also was a chance to not finding him. My point is don't give up. This book was amazing especially the cliffhangers. This book reminds me of searching for sky which was also a great book.
July 29, 2011
I read Clay, by: Colby Rodowsky. It is about a girl named L.C McGee (short for Linda Clay), her little brother named Timmy McGee, her mom Jude, and L.C and Timmy’s dad Mr. McGee. L.C and Timmy had lived with their dad after their parents got divorced. One day their mom came and said she was going to take them out for ice cream, only she was kidnapping them! Their names were changed to Elsie, Tommy, and Jude McPhee. Their mom has been keeping them hidden and is constantly moving from place to place. But when a advertisement is placed on the register of a local sandwich store, Elsie and Tommy’s lives are change forever. I love this book because it is a very powerful, and unusual story. I love how it is about children taking care of each other when times are tough and how one little piece of paper can change peoples lives in a great way! This book is a relaxing book but it had a slower pace than other books. I would recommend it to people who like to think of their own ending and really imagine the setting because the detail is not the strongest. This book was a great read and I wish their was another!
November 16, 2011
This book is about Elsie and her brother have been kidnapped by their mother , Eleven-year-old Elsie McPhee and her younger, autistic brother, they were homeschooling students. They don’t suppose to talk with anyone and when of the kids decide to do it, his mother moved to an empty apartment in another state. After that many things happened that made a decision that could change things forever.
I think that this book is for all age range except for nursery, is a very interesting book. The artistic elements of this book support characters development and plot. The language forms included current slang and appropriate dialect variations, Also the style engages the readers and includes realistic dialogue that reflects the characters and their cultural milieu was vital to the development of setting, characterization, plot, and theme. This book was very interesting but I will not read this book to my kids, because is going to be a little scary for them, so I do not recommended this book.
I think that this book is for all age range except for nursery, is a very interesting book. The artistic elements of this book support characters development and plot. The language forms included current slang and appropriate dialect variations, Also the style engages the readers and includes realistic dialogue that reflects the characters and their cultural milieu was vital to the development of setting, characterization, plot, and theme. This book was very interesting but I will not read this book to my kids, because is going to be a little scary for them, so I do not recommended this book.
April 3, 2012
Clay by Rodowsky, Colby F. the book covers a very common problem in our society which is divorce and how children always suffer. The book is talking about eleven year old Elsie and her younger brother Tommy after their parents’ divorced. Sadly the mother stole the children on the run for four years. The children were forbidden to talk to anyone and kept home from school. Tommy has mental problem and must deal with it as if it a terrible secret which causes them and their mother to move from place to place and stay in hiding. Elsie took care for Tommy in their locked apartment while the mother working. Elsie and Tommy returning home to their dad after four years on the run would be the best thing that could happen to them. The story is full of suspense and the stress of mental illness in a family. This story is a lightheartedly realistic and appropriate for any readers.It includes real life situations for children who may have to deal with any kind of struggle.
February 4, 2008
Wow. This was an excellent book on the overlooked topic of family abduction. It is age appropriate (8 to 12 would probably be good) but realistic. It clearly shows the devastating consequences family abduction has on children. The two children in the story, Elsie and Tommy, are being hidden by their mother. They are not allowed to go to school or make any friends, or even talk to strangers at all, and Tommy is not getting the medical attention he needs. I think even adults would find this book useful and educational. Highly recommended!
November 25, 2009
A girl has an isolated and lonely life with her brother. They were abducted by their own disfunctional mom years ago. She must make a difficult decision and go against her mom's strict rules of no contact with anyone to save her brother.
February 20, 2013
A young girl torn between what she remembers and what is, Elsie chooses to change everything to save her brother when she tells someone that she isn't who she seems to be. She is a brave young heroine and her story is eloquently told from her point of view.
August 14, 2008
This book was pretty good. It was really sad, in the aspect that it was realistic, but it's a good reminder to reach out to others around us. I thought it was pretty good.
September 16, 2012
Eye-opening view of the world of fear and seclusion two children face after their mother abducts them.
June 30, 2014
I love this book I've read it twice!!!!!!
February 22, 2015
Disturbing yet hopeful story of two children who are kidnapped by their non custodial mother. The characterization, especially of the main character, made this book for me.
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October 8, 2014This book had a big impact on me when I was younger.
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April 2, 2018it wasa good book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews