The+Graveyard+Book

__The Graveyard Book__ by Neil Gaiman



Plot:

A young baby wanders into a graveyard, leaving behind his murdered family and narrowly escaping his own. Soon to be christened 'Nobody Owens', the child is adopted by the graveyard and is raised by ghosts, Mr. and Mrs. Owens. Bod, as he is referred to, is also cared for by Silas, who is free to leave the graveyard to get Bod food and supplies as needed. As the story continues, it becomes known that Bod cannot leave the graveyard; his family's murderer, a man named Jack, is still looking for Bod to finish the job he was sent to do. Bod goes on supernatural adventures, chasing after ghosts and even falling into a ghoul gate, while learning all along how to defend himself against the man Jack. Bod eventually must face his family's murder, but not without the help of werewolves, vampires, ghosts, and even ghouls (to some extent). In the end Bod must use the lessons he's learned in the graveyard, and he can only hope he's learned enough to triumph against the man Jack and someday hope to live beyond the gates of the graveyard.

Personal Thoughts:

I thought this book was amazing. It carefully uses themes that all young adults can relate to, such as unconventional families, loss, friendship, young love, and adventure with the supernatural storyline of a young boy not only attempting to avenge his parents' murder, but save his own life. Bod has not your ordinary friends, being tutored by a werewolf and cared after by ghosts and a vampire, yet he is well-loved nonetheless. Bod even encounters bullying along his way as he attempts to attend school at one point. Despite being a supernatural book, tweens will find it hard to not relate to and love Bod. It is a great book for the tween that can't get enough ghosts and vampires, yet also for the tween that enjoys a good adventure or story of timeless themes, such as overcoming adversity. I can't say enough about this book, and I will wholeheartedly recommend it to tweens, teens, and even adults.

Genre:

Fantasy

Reading Level:

Ages 11 & Up

Series Information:

NA

Awards:

ALA Notable Children’s Book Horn Book Fanfare Kirkus Reviews Best Children’s Book Cooperative Children’s Book Center Choice New York Public Library Stuff for the Teen Age Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children’s Book Award (Vermont) ALA Booklist Editors’ Choice Newbery Medal ALA Best Book for Young Adults New York Public Library's "One Hundred Titles for Reading and Sharing" Horn Book Fanfare Kirkus Reviews Best Children’s Book Cooperative Children’s Book Center Choice New York Public Library Stuff for the Teen Age Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children’s Book Award (Vermont) ALA Booklist Editors’ Choice Newbery Medal ALA Best Book for Young Adults New York Public Library's "One Hundred Titles for Reading and Sharing"

Character List:

Bod: Nobody Owens, the protagonist that is adopted by the ghosts Mr. and Mrs. Owens and raised in the graveyard after his family's brutal murder.

Silas: The vampire that becomes Bod's guardian and protector, bringing him food, helping him learn, and also trying to make the world safer for Bod by helping hunt down the man Jack.

The Man Jack: An organization that has existed for centuries, has murdered Bod's family, and plans to murder Bod.

Mrs. Lupescu: The werewolf that tutors Bod in the ways of the supernatural, and also works with Silas to help find the Man Jack.

Citation:

Gaiman, N. (2008). //The Graveyard Book//. New York : HarperCollins.