Plot Summary
Nobody,
referred to as Bod, escaped the man Jack who murdered his family and intended
to murder him by walking up the street and going into the cemetery. The ghosts there saw Jack follow the baby and
decided to hide the child from sight. It
is then decided by a ghost council that Bod will be raised in the cemetery and
everything he needs to survive will be brought there by the one resident who
can leave at will. Bod proceeds to grow
up and have many adventures in the graveyard.
However, as he becomes older, he wishes to leave the graveyard. This is impossible because if he does, Jack
will try to finish the job he was commissioned to so many years ago.
Bod is
constantly curious and asks way too many questions for the liking of his ghost
parents. Bod also likes to explore and,
as he does, he learns about himself – what he is capable of and what his strengths
and weaknesses are. This is an
unconventional coming of age story that readers will love.
Critical Evaluation
The Graveyard Book is a delightfully odd
book that breaks all the normal conventions on what it is to be a coming of age
story. Bod is the kind of main character
that the reader wants to know. He is
interested in anything and everything.
He is always up for an adventure, even when it leads to danger and/or
trouble. Gaiman is amazingly skilled at
creating creepy worlds and situations for his characters to experience. The writing leaves the reader haunted at
times and wondering if something like this could actually exist.
Several
things are never explained – one of which is what Silas is. He’s not entirely human but the reader never
gets to find out what he is. The mystery
of why Bod was attacked as a child and why his family was killed unfolds in a
way that gives the reader much anticipation.
Gaiman writes a truly remarkable tale that will stay with the reader
long after the last page is read.
Reader’s Annotation
Come visit the graveyard where ghosts exist and mystery
lurks in every corner.
Author’s Information
Neil has won many awards one of which is the Newbery Medal
for The Graveyard Book. He has written many science fiction books and
comics. His bibliography and more about
him can be found here: http://www.neilgaiman.com/.
Genre
Award Winner
Book Talking Ideas
Growing up in a graveyard is not something most teens may
want to do. But this is the extremely
interesting story of someone who has no choice but to be in the graveyard. Mysterious creatures abound as well as
mysterious situations. The main
character is named Nobody and that is probably something many teens can relate
to.
Reading
Level/Interest
10/12
Challenge Issues
While some scenes are kind of scary and weird, it is a work
of fantasy. The book is mainly clean,
just features a little bit of the sci-fi feel.
I wouldn’t anticipate many challenges.
Why Include This
Title?
The Graveyard Book won
a Newbery Medal, which means it is probably a really awesome book. But, besides that, Neil Gaiman is a great
author whose books appeal to readers of all ages.
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