72 pages • 2 hours read
The Clay Marble
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Book Brief
176
Novel • Fiction
Cambodia • 1980s
1991
YA
10-14 years
860L
Super Short Summary
The Clay Marble by Minfong Ho is a 1991 YA novel set in Cambodia around 1980, following twelve-year-old Dara and her family as they navigate the challenges of post-Khmer Rouge rule. Dara befriends Jantu in a refugee camp, and as their families attempt to rebuild their lives, a series of events force Dara to find her inner strength and courage to ensure their survival and future. This book includes graphic descriptions of an injured baby and the shooting death of a teenager.
Emotional
Challenging
Inspirational
Heartwarming
Hopeful
Reviews & Readership
2,057 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
The Clay Marble by Minfong Ho is widely praised for its poignant depiction of the Cambodian civil war through the eyes of a young girl. Reviewers commend Ho's evocative storytelling and sensitive portrayal of historical trauma. However, some critics find the pacing slow and character development uneven. Overall, it's lauded for its emotional depth and educational value.
Who Should Read The Clay Marble?
A reader who would enjoy The Clay Marble by Minfong Ho likely appreciates historical fiction and stories of resilience in the face of adversity. Fans of Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai or A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park will find its poignant narrative and strong, young protagonist equally compelling.
2,057 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Jantu
Jantu
A gifted and imaginative thirteen-year-old orphan who becomes Dara’s friend and inspires her to recognize her potential. Known for her talent in storytelling and crafting toys from clay.
Sarun
Sarun
Dara’s eighteen-year-old brother who initially supports their family but is increasingly drawn to the military culture, impacting his relationship with his family.
Chnay
Chnay
An orphaned boy in the refugee camp known for his bullying behavior, but who later reveals a kinder side and assists Dara in finding her family.
176
Novel • Fiction
Cambodia • 1980s
1991
YA
10-14 years
860L
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.