The Cloud: A Novel

by Mary Clark Dalton

Can prayer really change the outcome of a life?
When a youth pastor and a small group of teens look to the sky and believe they see a sign from God, they are drawn into a moment that will test their faith, their courage, and their willingness to act.

Each of them carries their own struggles, questions, and purpose. But over the course of a single day, they are given something rare, a chance to reach beyond themselves, to seek God, and to make a difference in a way that truly matters.

For Kevin, however, the stakes are far greater.
Lost in fear, uncertainty, and a growing sense of hopelessness, he is walking a dangerous path, one that could lead to irreversible consequences. As his world begins to close in, those around him must confront a powerful question:

Will prayer alone be enough, or will it take both faith and action to change the course of a life?

The Cloud is a moving story of prayer, redemption, and forgiveness. More than that, it is a heartfelt call to young readers to open their eyes and hearts to God, and a reminder that even in the darkest moments, hope is never out of reach.

From the Mom’s Choice Award-winning author of the Rainbow’s Promise series, Mary Clark Dalton continues her mission of guiding young hearts through faith, hope, and life’s challenges.

96 pages, Paperback

Published August 25, 2022

About the author

Mary Clark Dalton is a Mom’s Choice Award-winning author who lives in Stanleytown, Virginia with her husband, Keith. She is the proud mother of two children, Brent and Amanda, and grandmother to four grandsons who continue to inspire her love for young hearts and growing minds.

With over forty years of experience working with children and teens, Mary has dedicated her life to helping young people learn, grow, and make wise decisions rooted in strong values and faith. She believes that every child has the potential to thrive when given the right encouragement, guidance, and leadership.

She is the author of the Rainbow’s Promise series, a collection of faith-centered children’s books designed to teach lasting moral values through meaningful and engaging stories. Her writing reflects her deep desire to see those lessons stay with children throughout their lives.

In The Cloud, Mary extends her mission to older readers, addressing the emotional and mental challenges many teenagers face today. Through a powerful and compassionate story, she offers hope, faith, and the reminder that no one is ever truly alone.

Her work continues to resonate with families, educators, and faith communities seeking stories that both inspire and guide.

Reviews

[Brad Dubois · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought about this book for a long time after I finished it. What stood out to me the most was how The Cloud doesn't shy away from the darkest parts of a young person's mind. Kevin's pain feels very real, but it's never hopeless. The relationship between divine prompting and human action is dealt with honestly, not with force. I thought a lot about how small things like prayer, kindness, and paying attention can change even the most harmful paths. The "cloud" didn't seem like a supernatural event; it seemed more like a sign of grace that was always reaching into the chaos of human life. It's not just a story; it's a call to pay more attention to the people around us.

[Irene Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had mixed feelings about The Cloud, but I like what it tries to do. The author really cares about the themes of bullying, abuse, mental health, and faith. At times, I thought the ending relied too much on divine intervention, which might not sit well with all readers, especially those who want a more down-to-earth look at psychology. That being said, Kevin's internal struggle was interesting, and the tension that built up throughout the school day worked well. Even though I didn't agree with all of the story choices, I couldn't deny that the book made me think deeply about responsibility, community, and how easy it is to miss warning signs.

[LesaHill]

I had to read this, and it was hard. I work with teens, so I saw parts of real students in Kevin, like his anger, loneliness, and quiet desperation. The most shocking thing to me was how many chances there were to reach him and how close it came to being too late. The story reminded me that helping someone doesn't always have to be big; sometimes it's just talking to them, paying attention to them, or not giving up on them. I cared about almost every character, but especially the ones who were trying, even if they weren't doing it perfectly, to make a difference. It makes you realize how fragile a single day can be.

[Judith East · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I appreciated most about The Cloud was its ensemble of characters. While Kevin is clearly the center, the story gains strength from the surrounding voices, Chloe’s compassion, Bobby’s loyalty, Whitney’s internal battle, and even the adults who carry their own regrets. Each perspective adds a layer to the central question: can one life be redirected before it’s too late? I did feel some characters could have been explored more deeply, but their presence still contributed meaningfully to the emotional weight of the story. By the end, I wasn’t just thinking about Kevin, I was thinking about everyone connected to him and how their choices mattered.

[Madison Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Cloud is almost like a story with a moral lesson. The structure, which follows a single day that gets worse and worse, makes the reader feel like they need to act, just like Kevin does. What interested me was the conflict between free will and God's influence. Is Kevin being led, warned, or just given chances to make different choices? I liked that the book didn't fully answer that question. Instead, it looks at intervention from many angles: spiritual, social, and personal. The writing is simple, but the ideas behind it are complicated, especially when it comes to responsibility and how collective concern can have an effect that isn't seen.

[Judy Reyes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our book club was moved by Kevin’s story. The scenes with his abusive father were painfully real; especially when Kevin tried to hide his bruises and anger. We spent a long time talking about how loneliness and emotional neglect slowly pushed him down a path toward hopelessness. He could feel his pain so human in the writing.

But what impressed me most was how people kept reaching out to him anyway. Bobby’s prayers, Chloe’s kindness and Coach Anderson’s encouragement reminded us how important it is to see people who are struggling before it is too late. This book challenged our group to be more intentional & compassionate with the people around us.

[Aurelia Weir · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whitney’s story line hit home for our reading group more than we expected. Her grief over the loss of her father and her secret eating disorder felt so achingly real. One of the most emotional conversations in our group was about the moment she finally cried out to God after seeing the strange cloud.

What I liked best was that the book showed healing as a process, not a miracle that happened in an instant. Several readers really connected with Whitney pretending everything was ok but struggling inside. This story had us thinking about how many people are suffering in silence, and how important it is to be there for them without judgment.

[Richard Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The scene with Chloe and Kevin in the classroom acting was the scene that received the most discussion in our book club. The scene was very emotional and personal and Chloe accidentally calls Kevin by his real name when begging him to choose life. Every word out of Kevin’s mouth betrayed his inner turmoil.

The power of this moment was in the way ordinary kindness began to breach Kevin’s walls. Our group discussed how small conversations can sometimes interrupt someone’s darkest thoughts. This book reminded us never to underestimate encouragement, as we rarely know what battles someone is fighting privately.

[Olivia Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

We in our reading group liked the realistic way The Cloud handled emotional pain and spiritual struggle. Kevin’s anger, loneliness and destructive thoughts were disturbing because they mirrored what many hurting teens feel in silence. His decisions were never justified by the story, but it helped us understand the pain behind them.

For me, the strongest message was that prayer and action are important working together. Pastor Mark, Bobby, Chloe, and Coach Anderson all tried to contact Kevin in different ways. “By the end of our discussion many of us started to think about people in our lives who may be quietly suffering and in need of support.

[Liam Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book provoked one of the most emotional conversations our group has had all year. It made his pain even more heartbreaking to remember the happier days before his mother left. His loving memories of childhood and painful life in the present were so realistically written, the contrast so vivid.

"Coach Anderson was one of our favorite characters because he saw potential in Kevin when everyone else saw trouble." Many of us were reminded of mentors who once believed in us during hard seasons by his refusal to give up on him. What a wonderful story of how encouragement and guidance can change lives.

[Ava Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I loved about The Cloud and what resonated with our book club was the way that it dealt honestly with heavy topics like abuse, depression, bullying, grief, and hopelessness. But without losing hope. We were all in on Kevin’s story, and his last day was so emotionally tense.

Most of us were struck most by the fact that small kindnesses do really matter. A prayer, a conversation, a teacher noticing a student, or a friend who doesn’t give up can make a world of difference in someone’s life. This book made our group more thoughtful, compassionate and aware of struggles people may be silently carrying.

[Evelyn Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. The author grabbed me from the start and kept me invested in Kevin’s story from start to finish. One scene that really spoke to me was when Kevin was selected to perform with Chloe in English class. What started as a simple classroom skit turned into one of the most emotional moments in the book and you could feel how hard he was struggling under the surface.

I also liked how the mysterious cloud tied everything together and gave different characters hope when they needed it most. This was an inspiring, heartwarming story of second chances, faith and how one person reaching out can make all the difference. I’m so glad I picked it up. Highly recommend!

[Cindy Hollingsworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Cloud
How does a Cloud, a possible school shooting and God become intertwined?
Mary Clark Dalton
brings her writing ministry of God’s love and care for his children into this well written, easy to read, short but relevant chapter book. A parents’ concern for the safety of their children at school plus the mix of emotional daily triggers and battles of young teens while in school is brought to light in a suspense filled,well written book . A must read for students and parents alike . A wonderful read for your tween or teen Sunday School or vacation Bible school class.

[Dorris Holler · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Cloud is a powerful and captivating story that highlights the hidden struggles many young people face. What I learned most from reading it is that pain and destructive choices rarely happen suddenly but are built over time through isolation, neglect, and unspoken hurt, especially in Kevin's journey, which felt painfully real. The book also taught me how small acts of care, simple conversations, attention, or kindness, can interrupt a dangerous path and truly matter more than we realize. Finally, I was struck by how faith is portrayed as something that works through people and perspective.

[Margaret Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story really hit home for me because I've been in the classroom for a long time. I really felt like the teachers in The Cloud were real people, especially the ones who notice something is "off" but can't quite reach the student. It shows the helpless tension that teachers often feel when they know a student is having trouble but don't know how far they can go to help. The book is both a warning and a call to action: pay attention, ask questions, and don't think someone else will take care of it.

[Brenda Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The difference between light and dark in the story stood out to me. Kevin's mind is dark, chaotic, and full of rage. Characters like Chloe and Bobby, on the other hand, bring moments of warmth and hope. That difference isn't subtle; it's meant to show how big the gap can be between what you think and what really happens. I found that dynamic interesting, but it was sometimes too clear. Still, it gets across the point that someone can feel completely alone even when they are surrounded by people who care about them.

[Noah Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our book club loved the symbolism of the cloud that was in the shape of a hand coming down from heaven. Each character had a different reading of it depending on their emotional status. Whitney saw hope. Bobby saw urgency. Kevin was confused and doubting. That detail added so much emotional depth to the story.

The cloud was a reminder of how people tend to search for meaning during difficult moments in life. One of our readers told us the story inspired her to cling to hope when things were rough in her personal life. This book was a beautiful balance of faith, struggle and hope.

[Dong Yung · Rating 3 out of 5]

What resonated most with our readers’ group was how the story revealed hurting people in plain sight. Coach Anderson saw the bruises Kevin had, Bobby knew something was wrong, Pastor Mark felt the burden to pray for him. All of these emotional tensions in the novel.

The book made us stop asking, “What’s wrong with people?” and ask, “What happened to them?” That change altered many of our perspectives on troubled teenagers and emotionally withdrawn people. The story was not merely powerful, but deeply compassionate in its treatment of pain and healing.

[Erika Berlin]

The football scenes turned out to be some of the most emotional moments for our group. As he threw the football, Kevin suddenly felt excited, accepted and encouraged, and for a moment he remembered who he used to be before the pain took him over.

One of the best parts of the story for me was Coach Anderson believing in Kevin. Many of us spoke about how teachers, coaches and mentors can change the course of a young person’s life by seeing their potential. This book had such a great message about purpose and belonging and second chances.

[Linda Love · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Cloud is a deeply moving and faith filled novel that explores the power of prayer in a way that feels both personal and urgent. Mary Clark Dalton beautifully weaves together themes of destiny, redemption, and spiritual warfare, reminding readers that even small acts of faith can have profound consequences. The story of Kevin is especially touching and serves as a powerful reminder that hope can still be found in the darkest moments.

[Carthy Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Cloud is a powerful and heartfelt story that beautifully explores faith, prayer, and the unseen spiritual battles we all face. Mary Clark Dalton weaves together multiple perspectives in a way that feels authentic and deeply moving. The message of hope and redemption is inspiring, especially for young readers searching for purpose and direction. This book stayed with me long after I finished it.

[SIMON · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Cloud is a moving and thought provoking story that explores faith in a way that feels both personal and relevant. The questions it raises about prayer, destiny, and listening for God’s voice stayed with me long after I finished reading. The youth pastor and group felt genuine, and their spiritual journey was inspiring without being preachy. A beautiful reminder that faith can grow when we choose to look upward.

[Marie Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Cloud surprised me the most by how quietly it builds tension. There isn't an immediate explosion; instead, you slowly start to understand where Kevin's mind is going. That made it even stronger for me. It was hard to handle the emotional suspense that came from knowing what could happen and watching moments go by when things could have changed. I wanted someone, anyone, to get through to him in time. It's a sobering picture of how crises don't always make a big deal out of themselves.

[Sandra Waller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a powerful reminder of how God can use normal people in amazing ways. What I liked best about the story was that it didn't just rely on miracles; it also relied on people choosing to listen, care, and act. The cloud may be a symbol, but the real meaning is in how each character reacts to what they think they should do. It made me more aware of the quiet nudges in my own life, especially when it comes to reaching out to others.

[Alicia Mora · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think Kevin is meant to be hard to get along with. His anger, his reasons, and his twisted thoughts are all very human, even though they make you feel bad. I liked how the author didn't make his pain seem less bad or try to save him too quickly. Instead, we're told to understand him, even if we don't agree with him. That emotional depth made the story feel real, and it pushed me to show empathy in ways I hadn't thought of before.

[Brenda Augustine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought the way the novel was put together worked very well. The story moves quickly because it follows Kevin for just one day. Even when it seems small on the surface, every interaction feels important. You realize how carefully those moments were put together by the end. It's like watching a series of crossroads, each with a different possible outcome. That design made the story seem like it was planned and had many layers instead of just happening by chance.

[Jennifer Heath · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book does a great job of showing how intense emotions can be during adolescence. Everything feels more intense, like pain, rejection, anger, and even hope. Adults might think Kevin's reactions are extreme, but they make sense for a teenager who feels alone and unheard. The story hits home because it's so real. This is a reminder that young people often have more on their minds than we think, and we should take their problems seriously.

[Anita Kane · Rating 4 out of 5]

It felt like I was in the middle of a moral dilemma when I read The Cloud. When does the community take over responsibility from the person? Could more have been done, or is there a point at which others can't help anymore? I liked that the story didn't give me easy answers. Instead, it makes you think about your own ideas about responsibility, kindness, and taking action by making you sit with those questions.

[Carolyn Fritz · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the most interesting things about the book for me was how it showed change—not as a single big event, but as a series of small changes. Kevin's path starts to change with small conversations, passing thoughts, and short pauses. It made me realize that change doesn't always happen all at once; it happens slowly, almost without anyone noticing, until something finally gives. The story's emotional depth came from its quiet realism.

[Lori Welch · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Cloud by Mary Clark Dalton touched my heart and pulled at my emotions. The characters were so real to life that I felt as if I were right in the story.
The story also demonstrated the love that God has for us and it proved that the power of prayer can change things.
This would make a wonderful teaching tool for our youth.