Gaiman, N. (2008). The Graveyard Book. New York: Harper Collins. ISBN: 9780060530921
· Plot Summary
When a mysterious individual known only as Jack attempts to kill members of a single family, the youngest member makes good his escape. A nameless infant when he enters a nearby cemetery, and is adopted by its inhabitants, they give him the name Nobody Owens. Mentored by a figure that passes between the realms of the living and the dead, as well as a host of ghosts, Bod remains sequestered in order to save his own life. Eventually, the desire to intermingle with his own kind leads Bod on a series of adventures that threaten the life that the dead have made for him. Only after defeating Jack can Bod truly be free, but at the price of the only place he really ever knew as home.
· Critical Evaluation
An engaging and mysterious piece of fiction, well-written, though perhaps not recommended for tweens that have trouble with horror. Great use of language for setting a mood and presenting theme.
· Reader’s Annotation
Fantastic fiction, and would make a great piece of film noire. The novel intentionally parallels Kipling's The Jungle Book (which was actually several short stories, and in two volumes), but with the use of characters and situations that modern readers may it easier to relate to.
· Information about the author
A prolific author of not just tween novels, but also those for adults, screenplays, and graphic novels. Gaiman has received the Newberry Medal, World Fantasy Award, and Bram Stoker Awards, just to name a few. He was born in England, where many of his novels take place, but lives in the United States. His novels Coraline and Star Dust have both been made into major motion pictures.
· Genre
Fiction, Fantasy, Paranormal
· Curriculum Ties
History (England's Roman past)
· Booktalking Ideas
Orphan characters' places in literature.
Significance of the dead in modern fiction.
Recommended books for Halloweens or lovers of fantasy or the paranormal.
· Reading Level/Interest Age
Grades 6-8; Ages 10-12
· Challenge Issues
Some parents might have trouble with the concept of the afterlife presented in the novel by the inclusion of ghosts, ghouls, and witches. I would point out that this is obviously a fictional piece, and is in no way meant to convey possible, actual scenarios about what happens to us after we die. The ghosts and the involvement of the graveyard itself are both integral to the story, as attested by the very name.
· Why did you include this book in the titles you selected?
Required reading for the course, but in a search for fiction suitable for this age group, I probably would have found it anyway. The youth literature associate at my local Border's is a huge Gaiman fan, and was able to give me a run down on just about everything he has written, so I picked up some of his adult novels for reading on m own time. I read Coraline when it was published, and thoroughly enjoyed Gaiman's style, so I gathered I would enjoy this novel as well.
