The Graveyard Book By Neil Gaiman

1.  Bibliography
Gaiman, Neil.  2008.  THE GRAVEYARD BOOK.  New York:  Harper Collins Publishers.  ISBN 9780060530921


2.  Plot Summary
When Nobody Owens was a baby his family was killed by a mysterious man named Jack.  The baby wanders into the graveyard and is rescued by the ghosts.  The Owen's decide to adopt the baby and raise him.  Silas is a guardian who decides he will help take care of the boy.  He is not a ghost or alive.  Nobody is given the protection of the graveyard has long as he stays within its walls.  The ghosts teach him the ways of their world.  He is granted special powers and knowledge that humans have no knowledge of.  Nobody yearns for a life outside the walls of the graveyard, but if leaves the man Jack may take his life.  "You aren't allowed out of the graveyard...because it's only in the graveyard that we can keep you safe."


3.  Critical Analysis
 When the reader opens the book to the first page they are drawn into the story.  The first sentence in the book is, "There was a hand in the darkness and it held a knife."  The author grabs the reader and propels them into the story.  The reader has to find out what is happening.  The plot created by the author is original with a spooky setting.  People have always wondered what happens after life.  This story puts a new spin on life after death.  The main character works through the issues of growing up and wanting to fit in.  The story is a universal theme that children can compare to their problems of growing up.  The setting in the graveyard is descriptive and full of ghosts from history.  This is a spooky tale of growing up and learning what is important.

4.  Review Excerpts
Newberry Award Winner
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL:  "Bod's love for his graveyard family and vice versa provide the emotional center, amid suspense, spot-on humor, and delightful scene-setting."

5.  Connections
Children may enjoy reading other books by Neil Gaiman and comparing them to each other.  Have a discussion and let each child tell what book was their favorite and why?
The following is a link to Neil Gaiman's site and a clip of him reading from The Graveyard Book.  The URL
 is:  http://www.neilgaiman.com/p/Cool_Stuff.  It would be fun to read the book and listen to him reading a part of the story.
Other books by Neil Gaiman:
Gaiman, Neil.  CORALINE.  ISBN 0061649708
Gaiman, Neil.  M IS FOR MAGIC.  ISBN 9780061186479
Gaiman, Neil.  THE WOLVES IN THE WALLS.  ISBN 9780380810956