Memory in the Clay (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9798319375629)

Memory in the Clay

The past speaks softly if you know how to listen.

In the lush woodlands of ancient Florida, near sacred springs and towering shell mounds, a young girl named Sula feels a quiet pull from the world around her. Her people live by the rhythms of the land, shaped by tradition and guided by ancestral stories. But when Sula begins to notice a mysterious swirl pattern appearing in nature, echoed in the ripple of water, the curve of a bird's flight, the memory of a long-forgotten shell. She is drawn to uncover its meaning.

As an apprentice potter under her wise great-aunt Luma, Sula spends her days shaping clay and listening to the old stories. But her heart longs to make something new, something that remembers the past while speaking to the future. One swirl, carved carefully into a cup, sets her on a quiet path of creativity, courage, and change.

Inspired by real archaeological discoveries and ancient ceremonial traditions, Memory in the Clay is a lyrical tale of coming-of-age, ancestral connection, and the power of listening to the whispers beneath your feet.

• An Author's Note introducing the inspiration behind the story

• The complete six-chapter illustrated tale of Sula's journey

• A gentle, thoughtful epilogue

• A bonus version of Sula's dream, seen through a different lens

• A Reflections in the Clay section with writing and thinking prompts

• An extended "The World Behind the Story" feature with photos and sketches of real pottery, tools, and landscapes from the Late Archaic period in Florida

• Image credits and acknowledgments to honor the people and institutions that preserve this history

Looking for a meaningful way to explore history, symbolism, or storytelling with your students?

Memory in the Clay is available with an optional Educator's Resource Pack, featuring:

• A historical reading passage

• Vocabulary and comprehension questions

• Reflective discussion prompts

• Hands-on art and writing activities

• Standards-aligned objectives (ELA, Social Studies, Visual Arts)

The Resource Pack is sold separately and available at the author's website.

An audio version of Memory in the Clay-complete with gentle narration and scene-by-scene artwork-is available.
Search "Memory in the Clay" on your favorite platform or visit the author's website to explore the story in a whole new way.