The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
 | The Graveyard Book (Hardcover) By: Neil Gaiman (Author) Dave Mckean (Illustrator) Published by: HarperCollins Genre: YA Fiction Author’s Website: http://www.neilgaiman.com/ Recommendable for people who: Watch Gaiman Read this entire book! Winner of the 2009 Newbery Medal, Hugo Award, and the Carnegie Medal |
Synopsis: {from Gaiman’s website}
Bod is an unusual boy who inhabits an unusual place-he’s the only living resident of a graveyard. Raised from infancy by the ghosts, werewolves, and other cemetery denizens, Bod has learned the antiquated customs of his guardians’ time as well as their timely ghostly teachings-like the ability to Fade. Can a boy raised by ghosts face the wonders and terrors of the worlds of both the living and the dead? And then there are things like ghouls that aren’t really one thing or the other. This chilling tale is Neil Gaiman’s first full-length novel for middle-grade readers since the internationally bestselling and universally acclaimed Coraline. Like Coraline, this book is sure to enchant and surprise young readers as well as Neil Gaiman’s legion of adult fans.
My thoughts:
I absolutely LOVED this book! I actually began listening to the videos of Neil reading the book over on MouseCircus.com, and thought he was amazing. By the time I was ready to start chapter 3, I had to HAVE the book. I wanted it in hand so I could follow along with him as he read. I ran to the library and picked up a copy. By chapter 4, I had decided I wanted to read the book before I watched Neil read it. So I read it, and then I watched Neil read it. By the time Neil had finished reading the book, I had already decided I wanted a copy of my OWN, not just borrow the library’s copy. It will be here Wednesday. Did I mention I liked the book?
The story opens with the gruesome murder of a toddler’s family. By gruesome, I mean they were all murdered and it was a horrible thing, however Gaiman manages to tell us about it without even mentioning one drop of blood. The toddler, while his family is being murdered, manages to sneak out of the house and escape into a nearby graveyard.
The rest of the book is the story of the toddler, re-named “Bod” (Nobody Owens) by his loving caretakers, and his adventures growing up. In a graveyard. During the story we encounter everything from ghosts and ghouls, to witches and watchmen. If you are like me: you will laugh, sit on the edge of your seat in anticipation, gasp with shock, and then cry. (just a little, please don’t tell anyone.)
When I grabbed this book at the library, I was really surprised to find it in the CHILDRENS section, not YA. Don’t let that turn you off though, it IS a great read. I totally recommend this one for persons ages 7-8 and up.
eta: there is a film being adapted from this book! yay! http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1315950/