'! 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 '! his deepest, darkest yet and perhaps his best.' -- The Sunday Herald 'the most lyrical children's author now writing' -- The Guardian, July 06 '... 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

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. 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. David is widely regarded as one of the most exciting and innovative children's authors writing today, and his books are bestsellers all over the world. He lives with his family in Northumberland.