The Graveyard Book

A few years back Neil Gaiman wrote an episode of Doctor Who and that is where I first met him.  I loved his episode so much that I looked for anything he had written.  The first book of his I read was The Graveyard Book.  I was immediately smitten by Mr. Gaiman!

Chris Riddell cover

Dave McKean cover

Author: Neil Gaiman
Illustrator: Two versions: Dave McKean and Chris Riddell
Publisher: HarperCollins (September, 2008)
Prices: Hardcover - $14.66, Paperback - $7.93, Kindle - $7.99
Reading level: 10 to 15 years old
Interest level: Middle and Upper Grades
Physical Characteristics: 5.1 x 7.6 inches, 336 pages
ISBN: 0060530944
Genres: Chapter Book, Science Fiction, Illustrated Books

McKean

Subjects:
Paranormal fiction
Cemeteries – Fiction
Newbery Medal
Orphans
Ghost Stories

Annotation: Nobody Owens (bod) is a young boy who is raised by ghosts in a graveyard.

Summary:
At the beginning of The Graveyard Book,  man murders a married couple and their baby escapes to the graveyard across the street from his home. He is adopted and raised by a ghost couple and they call him Nobody Owens.  His nickname is Bod, because he has a body. Silas, the caretakers minds after Bod as he grows up.  Bod has a series of adventures in the cemetery involving humans, sleers, werewolves and vampires.  Along the way Silas and his ghosts parents teach him how to turn invisible, walk through objects, dream walk and haunt.
When Bod is fourteen the man who killed his parents comes back to the house where he murdered Bod’s parents.  An action series commences with the murderous man chasing Bod into the cemetery, where Bod eventually has the man killed.  The book ends with Bod being led to the gates of the cemetery by Silas, a pocket full of money and a Passport.  He leaves his childhood in the graveyard behind and heads off to become a human adult in a human world.

Riddell

Evaluation:
I cannot begin to talk about how much I love this book, but I will.  The story is amazing.  Neil Gaiman has an amazing way to envelope you within any world he creates.  Every ghost that he introduces us to is unique and so well flushed out.  They are all endearing in their own ways, and integral to shaping Bod.  When I read this book, I wanted to be Bod.  I wanted to be raised in that graveyard and live in that world!  I am a bit sad that my daughter will not be able to read this book for a few years, but really look forward to introducing it to her.

Similar Titles or Authors:
A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket
Marvel 1602 by Neil Gaiman
The League of Beastly Dreadfuls by Holly Grant

Websites:
http://www.mousecircus.com/bookdetails.aspx?BookID=1

http://www.neilgaiman.com

Graphic Novel

Awards and recognition:
Newbery Award

Carnegie Medal

Hugo Award

Locus Award

Boston Globe-Horn Book Award Honor Book

Best Indie Young Adult Buzz Book

Audiobook of the Year

ALA Notable Children's Book

ALA Best Book for Young Adults

ALA Booklist Editors' Choice

Horn Book Fanfare

Kirkus Reviews Best Children's Book

Time Magazine Top Ten Fiction

Cooperative Children's Book Center Choice

New York Public Library's 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing

New York Public Library Stuff for the Teen Age

Professional Reviews:
New York Times

Kirkus


Notes:
Artist Craig Russell has adapted the book into a two-volume graphic novel.

Graphic Novel

Ron Howard is rumored to make this Book into a film.


All images © McKean, Riddell, Russell