Book Details:

Book Title: Clod Makes a Friend by David J. Pedersen
Category: Middle-Grade Fiction, 174 pages
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Odysia Press
Release date: March 2018
Tour dates: March 26 to April 13, 2018
Content Rating: PG (There is no bad language, but there is one "boss fight" scene.)

Book Description:

Best Friend Ever?

Bullies love to hate Clod. Not just because he’s bigger, clumsier, and uglier than his classmates - he’s also the only student in his school without magic. In a world where all magic is possible and everyone else is born with great gifts to do amazing things, Clod is alone.

Living with his mum in a broken-down cottage on barely enough, the only thing Clod has to play with is the clay she occasionally brings him. Bleak is an understatement. More than anything, Clod wants a friend. The only way that’s going to happen, is to make one himself.

After an angry visit from the worst of the bullies, his teacher Learned Yugen, Clod’s clay sculpture of a little girl comes to life and introduces herself as Ada. For a clay girl barely the size of his hand, she has more confidence and courage than he knows what to do with. Every adventure she leads him on gets Clod into trouble. She may be the friend he wants, but is she the friend he needs?

After many years, and too many pranks, Yugen becomes convinced that Clod is tainted by the evil slowly infiltrating the Kingdom of Pag. Especially when Ada isn’t the only one Clod can bring to life.

Clod Makes A Friend is a bittersweet fairy tale for all ages from David J. Pedersen, author of the Angst series of fantasy novels.

This fantasy tale of the enduring and heartwarming friendship between Clod and his friend Ada was a delight to read. Clod is a clumsy big kid who lives with his hardworking mom who loves and understands him. They lead a simple life, do not have much in a material way but have a strong bond. Clod doesn't have any friends, is bullied at school both by other students and his own teacher, and treated as an ugly stupid kid. But Clod is gentle, kind and gifted in a way that supersedes the other kids, although he has yet to discover this.

I enjoyed this tale immensely. Friendship, self-sacrificing love and looking beyond skin deep to find beauty are strong themes in this book. Clod is a great character. One cannot help empathize with him, feel his loneliness and insecurities. His mom is his champion and although poor and uneducated, she teaches him good life lessons. Ada is delightful and mischievous, and oh so unpretentious! She sees what Clod fails to see about himself and she helps him to be courageous and to believe in himself. Every kid should have a friend like her.

The ending is bittersweet and brought tears to my eyes. Clod Makes a Friend is a great middle-grade fantasy novel that emphasizes the unique strengths and gifts we all have amidst our weaknesses. It teaches good life lessons with a good story and memorable characters. The book cover's artwork perfectly displays the characters in a pivotal scene. I just loved it and kept looking at it as I read the book. A beautiful story full of action, drama, humor and friendship!


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