(Book cover compliments of Titlewave.com)
Bibliography
Gaiman, Neil, and Dave McKean. The Graveyard Book. New York: HarperCollins Pub, 2008. ISBN 0060530928
Plot summary
18-month old “Bod” (short for Nobody) is overlooked during the murder of his entire family and toddles uphill to the community graveyard where he is sheltered, protected, loved, and raised to age 16 by the ghosts living there.
Critical Analysis
“There was a hand in the darkness, and it held a knife.” Thus begins the spine-chilling opening scene of the murder of an entire family in their home at night…except for the toddler who miraculously ambles unnoticed out of the house and uphill to the unexpected safety of the archaic, local graveyard inhabitants. With the murderer Jack still pursuing the whereabouts of the baby, the ghosts decide to trust the raising of the baby to the kindly ghost couple Mr. and Mrs. Owens who name the baby Nobody Owens. Gaiman’s adept skills at spine-tingling horror pairs beautifully with the likeable, complex graveyard characters who lived during a myriad of centuries. Under the tutelage of the enigmatic Silas who is both living and dead, and the loving care of the highly-entertaining ancient occupants, “Bod” receives an education in academics, loyalty, and supernatural skills like the Slide, the Fade, and the Dreamwalk. Bod’s innocence about the world outside the graveyard and his obedience to his guardian’s requirements to stay within the safety of the ghostly confines keeps him safe for years until he meets an unexpected human visitor to the graveyard.
Like Mowgli in Kipling’s Jungle Book, Bod’s growing curiosity about the human girl sets in motion a series of adventures and jaunts outside the safety of the graveyard reigniting the pursuit of the murderer Jack. Gaiman’s dark humor and genuinely creepy settings will keep young readers turning pages as well as the desire to see Bod and his “family” ultimately defeat the evil that pursues him. Peppered with spirits, werewolves, and murderers, this unique coming-of-age story will delight both young and adult readers alike.
Reviews and Honors
"Wistful, witty, wise--and creepy. Gaiman's riff on Kipling's Mowgli stories never falters, from the truly spine-tingling opening, in which a toddler accidentally escapes his family's murderer, to the melancholy, life-affirming ending." –Kirkus Review, Starred
"Gaiman's assured plotting is as bittersweet as it is action-filled -- the ending, which is also a beginning, is an unexpected tearjerker -- and makes this ghost-story-cum-coming-of-age-novel as readable as it is accomplished." –Horn Book review
Newbery Medal 2009
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
Connections
- At the beginning of the novel unit, have students explore Neil Gaiman’s website being sure to watch the book trailer, Neil’s interview with himself, and the video on the origins of the book. Through the course of the novel unit, settle in for read-aloud time to watch Gaiman himself read the book in its entirety at http://www.mousecircus.com/videotour.aspx.
- At the end of the novel, host a Graveyard Day where students present their own creative expressions inspired by the book such as playing games based on characters, watching student created book trailers, sharing tombstone rubbings and original epitaphs, etc. Encourage students to dress like some of the Graveyard residents and let them come early to decorate the room. Play some of the games based on the book on Gaiman’s website. http://www.mousecircus.com/bookdetails.aspx?BookID=1
- On Graveyard Day or another time near the end of the unit, create a book table of several of Neil Gaiman’s books. This collection could be a springboard for an outside reading assignment allowing students to report back creatively on their book of choice. Be sure to direct students to Gaiman’s website for details on his books. Include both picture books and novel titles:
Odd and the Frost Giants ISBN 0061671738
Neil Gaiman’s Neverwhere ISBN 1401210074
M is for Magic ISBN 9780061186424
Coraline ISBN 0380977788
Troll’s Eye View: A Book of Villainous Tales ISBN 0670061417
Interworld ISBN 0061238961
Instructions: Everything You’ll Need to Know on Your Journey ISBN 0061960306
The Dangerous Alphabet ISBN 0060783338
The Wolves in the Walls ISBN 038097827X
Blueberry Girl ISBN 0060838086
Crazy Hair ISBN 0060579080
The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish ISBN 0060587024
Stardust ISBN 0380977281
