The Graveyard Book

Bibliography

Gaiman, Neil. 2008. The Graveyard Book. Ill. by Dave McKean. New York, NY: HarperCollins Children's Books ISBN 978-0-06-053092-1

Plot Summary

Nobody Owen's toddled onto the graveyard property near his house as a baby narrowly escaping the assassin who murdered his whole family. It is there that he grows up, raised by ghosts and other graveyard haunters, and learns life lessons, how he came to live at the graveyard, and how he will survive once he has to leave it. 

Critical Analysis

The Graveyard Book is appropriate for young adults ten or older. There are many adult themes, such as death, murder, and ghosts that make it inappropriate for younger ages, not mention a vocabulary they might find difficult. For the right audience however, The Graveyard Book is captivating and keeps the reader hooked because you want to see what graveyard adventure Bod will get into next. 

The voice in which the story is written lightens what could be a very dark book. There is humor, love, and admiration incorporated within the story that makes the graveyard feel alive and action-packed. We are given enough information about each of the characters to appreciate their role in the story and Gaiman's use of quoting from characters' tombstones (for example "Miss Letitia Borrows, Spinster of this Parish, Who Did No harm to No Man all the Dais of Her Life. Reader, Can You Say Lykewise?") brings them "back to life," so to speak, while simultaneously giving the reader insight into the character and era in which they died.  

The black and white illustrations in sporadically throughout the book add another level of intrigue beyond the plot. They are abstractly done so that the reader can still create their own image of a character or setting, but it provides a jumping off point to add detail to.  

Review Excerpts

Winner of the John Newbery Medal 2008

"Gaiman has created a rich, surprising, and sometimes disturbing tale of dreams, ghouls, murderers, trickery, and family."—Megan Honig, New York Public Library

Connections

*Take advantage of the Halloween-time draw towards ghost stories and create a library display featuring The Graveyard Book and other seasonally appropriate books, both fiction and non-fiction.

*Host a scary story night book club meeting to discuss The Graveyard Book. Encourage attendees to bring a short ghost story to share, either from another author or personal experience.