Dan and the Mudman

by Jonny Zucker, Hannah Webb (Illustrator)

It is Dan's first day in his new school and already he has had a run-in with Steve Fenton, the school 'tough guy'. In his last school it didn't matter in the least that Dan was Jewish - loads of his classmates were! When Dan starts to shape a clay golem in art class one day, little does he suspect that this figure will change his life. That night the golem's chest begins to glow, and Dan is transported back in time to 18th Century Prague, where a giant clay golem is shaped from the river-mud. When the golem comes to life it shows Dan a way to be accepted, and to teach all bullies a lesson!

128 pages, Hardcover

First published August 7, 2008

Reviews

[Betty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished paperback readers are available for my booksellers, upon request.

I learned a bit about the Golem of Prague, but most importantly this book shows kids how they can use their knowledge of history to confront bullies in their own lives. Dan moves to the north of England, from London, is new at school, Jewish and soon becomes a target of a group of bullies. Lucy becomes his only friend. While working on a project for school, Dan unwittingly creates a clay model that turns out to be a replica of the Golem of Prague which comes to life, takes Dan on a journey through history, ennabling Dan to learn effective ways to face persecution. Though Lucy and Dan have a falling out, unbeknownst to Dan she sticks by him, and her actions make for a great surprise ending.