The Graveyard Book

Genre: Fiction, Fantasy, and YA

Gaiman, Neil, and Dave McKean, Ill.. The Graveyard Book. New York: Harper Collins, 2008. Narrated by Neil Gaiman. Audiobook. Harper Audio, 2008.  ISBN: 978-0061551895  Book ISBN: 978-0-06-053092-1

“It takes a graveyard to raise a child.”  At least that is what the ghosts think.  Nobody Owens, Bod to his friends, is a young boy who grows up in a graveyard after wandering out the night his family is murdered.  Given the Freedom of the Graveyard, Bod is able to go places in the graveyard that no other living person can.  Bod still manages to get himself into mischief as he meets the Indigo Man, the Ghouls, and Elizabeth Hempstock, a witch buried in the graveyard.  As Silas, Bod’s guardian, and the ghosts work to protect him from Jack, the man who tried to kill him along with the rest of his family, he may just find out the truth about his real family the night he toddled into the graveyard. 

Gaiman writes an incredible tale of a toddler who grows up in a graveyard.  Gaiman narrates the book himself.  I love the fact that the author narrates the book because you can get the author’s intentions for the story.  Gaiman’s characters are full of life, even if they are ghosts.  Every ghost has a personality that draws from the time period in which he or she died.  The primary setting is in the graveyard, but there are some places outside the graveyard where Bod gets himself into trouble.  The theme that rings true from this story is that family, no matter who or what they are, do whatever they can to keep each other safe from harm.  This is seen as the Silas and the ghosts work to keep Bod safe from Jack.  Gaiman creates a story that is inviting for all ages. 

“Wistful, witty, wise – and creepy.  This needs to be read by anyone who is or has ever been a child.” – Kirkus Reviews

“An utterly captivating tale … this is a rich story with broad appeal and is highly recommended for teens of all ages.” – Booklist

“Gaiman has created a rich, surprising, and sometimes disturbing tale of dreams, ghouls, murderers, trickery, and family.” – School Library Journal

Winner of the Newbery Medal, the Carnegie Medal, and the Hugo Award

You can listen to Neil Gaiman read his book at his website http://www.mousecircus.com/videotour.aspx.

This book has also received the following awards:

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, and Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award (Vermont)