Bibliography Gaiman, Neil. 2008. The Graveyard Book. Ill. by Dave McKean. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN 9780060530945 Plot Summary Nobody Owens, better known as Bod by the inhabitants of the small graveyard, is a normal boy whose life is anything but normal. As a toddler, Bod escapes his family’s home as a ruthless killer murders his family. He unknowingly finds safe harbor in the old cemetery under the care of the graveyard’s inhabitants, particularly Mr. and Mrs. Owens. As Bod grows older, it becomes more and more difficult for him to stay confined within the walls of the cemetery, even though the world outside still isn’t safe for him. Will Bod be able to face the real world and find out the truth about his family before the killer finds him? Critical Analysis In his award winning novel, Gaiman, with help from illustrator David McKean, tells the fantastic tale of Nobody Owens, better known as Bod. From the first sentences of the book, the reader feels a deep connection with the toddler as he escapes death and finds a safe haven in the the graveyard on the hill. Just like the graveyard inhabitants who care for Bod, as the story progresses, the reader also feels the dangers that surround Bod and hope deeply for his safety. As he navigates the world of the undead, werewolves, ghouls, and other fantastical beings, there is a kinship created that pulls the reader into the story. The other characters in the story, like Silas and Mr. and Mrs. Owens, truly care about Bod and take teaching him skills to survive very seriously. All of the characters are unique, interesting, engaging, and of course, fantastical! They are described with a clarity that creates a strong mental picture. Gaiman even uses language and word patterns from long ago to strengthen the characters and make them even more realistic. The graveyard where Bod lives, the town nearby, and even the other worlds that Bod visits are all vividly described by Gaiman. These worlds add to the story and create depth to the plot as Bod learns more about his past and future. One of Gaiman’s greatest talents is the use of details. From the gravestones, to the weather, to the abilities of the graveyards inhabitants, the details create a setting that is vibrant and engrossing for the reader. Even though The Graveyard Book is a fantasy story all of the elements come together to create a story that is consistent and believable. The journey that Bod takes to find out what happened to his family and finally gain his freedom into the real world is interesting, full of obstacles, and has one very menacing villain. It is so full of creativity and action it is difficult to put down. This story has so many themes, one of the main ones being the classic tale of good versus evil. Death is another major theme of the story, as the living and dead interact and Bod decides to seek the end of his confinement by finding out the truth in his family’s death. The great sense of community that Bod grows up in through the graveyard is also another theme. The community that surrounds Bod teaches him, mentors him, strengthens him, and guides him. The last pages of the book reflect on another major theme: family. As Bod says goodbye to his ghostly parents, it becomes clear that family is a major element of the story that grows under the surface throughout the novel. Gaiman’s writing style is clear, crisp, and distinct. He effortlessly creates the fantastical world of the graveyard and the inhabitants who keep Bod safe. He also uses language in the characters’ dialogue that is accurate to the historical time in which they lived. This use of language, vivid imagery, and fantasy elements creates a story that is not easily forgotten. Response I am not usually a reader of fantasy, but this book had me from the first pages. I could barely put it down! Gaiman has a way of vividly creating a world that is totally believable, yet total fantasy. The characters were engaging and creative, the story was complex, yet easy to follow, and the setting was so clear and striking; it is not difficult to see why this book won so many awards. This is a book that continues to live on through new adaptations into a graphic novel, and will continue to be a recommended title for young adult and adult readers alike. Honors 2009 Newbery Medal 2010 Carnegie Medal 2009 Hugo Award for Best Novel 2008 Cybils Award for Fantasy & Science Fiction 2009 Locus Award for Best Young-Adult Book 2010 SFX Award for Best Novel Reviews “While a highly motivated killer murders his family, a baby, ignorant of the horrific goings-on but bent on independence, pulls himself out of his crib and toddles out of the house and into the night. This is most unfortunate for the killer, since the baby was his prime target. Finding his way through the barred fence of an ancient graveyard, the baby is discovered by Mr. and Mrs. Owens, a stable and caring couple with no children of their own—and who just happen to be dead. After much debate with the graveyard’s rather opinionated denizens, it is decided that the Owenses will take in the child. Under their care and the sponsorship of the mysterious Silas, the baby is named “Nobody” and raised among the dead to protect him from the killer, who relentlessly pursues him. This is an utterly captivating tale that is cleverly told through an entertaining cast of ghostly characters. There is plenty of darkness, but the novel’s ultimate message is strong and life affirming. Although marketed to the younger YA set, this is a rich story with broad appeal and is highly recommended for teens of all ages.” – Booklist, starred review “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. Bod (short for Nobody) finds solace and safety with the inhabitants of the local graveyard, who grant him some of the privileges and powers of the dead—he can Fade and Dreamwalk, for instance, but still needs to eat and breathe. Episodic chapters tell miniature gems of stories (one has been nominated for a Locus Award) tracing Bod’s growth from a spoiled boy who runs away with the ghouls to a young man for whom the metaphor of setting out into the world becomes achingly real. Childhood fears take solid shape in the nursery-rhyme–inspired villains, while heroism is its own, often bitter, reward. Closer in tone to American Godsthan to Coraline, but permeated with Bod’s innocence, this needs to be read by anyone who is or has ever been a child.” – Kirkus, starred review Connections
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AuthorMy name is Mrs. Scott and I'm a secondary Media Resource Specialist (librarian) in Texas. This blog was created as part of my graduate coursework at Texas Woman's University. All reviews and opinions are my own.
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