Bibliographic Data
The Graveyard Book
Author and Read by Neil Gaiman
Prince Frederick ©2008
ISBN: 9781436158848
Brief Plot Summary
A toddler
narrowly escapes being murdered with the rest of his family and crawls to a
nearby graveyard. In unprecedented fashion the ghosts of the graveyard take him
in to protect him from the mysterious killer. The Owens’ act as his parents and
Silas acts as his connection to the living world. The reader follows Nobody
Owens as he exists between two worlds and grows to be an interesting and
well-adjusted man.
Critical Analysis
Gaiman’s
protagonist, Nobody “Bod” Owens, is a human. He is a victim and an orphan. The
reader wants him to triumph under his impossible circumstances. We are more
drawn to him finding that he is kind, curious, and friendly. He wants to make
friends. He enjoys being around humans, even if they are not talking. He
protects numerous children from being bullied. At the same time Bod is calm and
non-emotional. He is direct in his speech and deadpan in his delivery. In this
way he is very much not like most children, but it is what makes him
interesting. Often we see his approach works for him despite the danger.
Some
aspects of this plot hardly make sense even in a fantasy world. For example how
does Bod care for himself hygienically? Also, Bod is to remain in the
protection of the graveyard or face certain death. The reader finds that the
Jack’s were foretold that the boy would destroy them, essentially a
self-fulfilling prophecy. Would Bod have eliminated this force if it never had
sought him?
Typical
of a fantasy novel we find Bod with many journeys. In fact The Graveyard Book
reads like a collection of short stories. The subplots could stand alone. For
example when Bod steals the broach from the tomb, he tries to sell it to obtain
a headstone for the witch. That story was so grand on its own that the reader
may have read just that. Many sources say the plot is essentially the Jungle Book in a graveyard. A human is
taken in by others in an environment not suited for one.
More
typical aspects of the fantasy novel readers will find are obstacles to
overcome and villains to vanquish. Hurdles range from the seemingly simple,
like Bod learning to fade, to the improbable, like Bod saving Scarlett. Bod
also faces many villains, the superlative being the Jacks of all trades. Minor
villains include the ghouls and the bullies, Mo and Nick.
The
setting is particularly important to a fantasy story (Vardell). Gaiman
reiterates that Bod has freedom of the graveyard. This freedom grants him not
only safety and care, but special abilities. His powers and circumstances are
the core of the plot. He learns to speak to people in their dreams and fade
into his surroundings. In the conclusions of the book he loses his abilities.
He cannot see in the dark as he once had.
Gaiman’s
storyline and characters reflect multiple themes. The most significant theme is
the value of life. Despite being surrounded by death in a non-fearful way, Bod
learns that life has value. Through Bod’s obstacles the reader also appreciates
how rationality triumphs over erratic emotions. Gaiman also shows the value of
education. We see our protagonist eager to go to school, desire to read, and
begging to go to the library. Gaiman also reveals value in experiences through
learning. We learn by living.
Gaiman’s
style is gloomy, witty, and creepy. The gloom comes through in descriptions of
the setting. His voice is like a storyteller, using imperative language to make
the reader visualize:
“Look.
You could see the abandoned funeral chapel, iron doors padlocked… You could see
stones and tombs… You would have seen these things, in the moonlight.”
Gaiman’s
wit comes through in the dialogue and occurrences of the characters. Especially
Bod is calm and clever. Even Liza Hempstock remarked Bod’s wit when he escaped
from Abanazer Bolger.
Review Excerpt(s)
“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.” - Holly Koelling (Booklist, Sep. 15, 2008
(Vol. 105, No. 2))
“A
dramatic climax will likely catch readers off guard, but it provides a
satisfying conclusion to an exceptional story.” - CCBC (Cooperative Children's Book
Center Choices, 2009)
“A lavish
middle-grade novel, Gaiman's first since Coraline,
this gothic fantasy almost lives up to its extravagant advance billing.” -
Publishers Weekly (Publishers Weekly)
Awards
Booktrust
Teenage Prize, 2009 Winner United Kingdom
Boston
Globe-Horn Book Award for Excellence in Children's Literature, 2009 Honor Book
Fiction and Poetry United States
Carnegie
Medal, 2010 Winner United Kingdom
Cuffies:
Children's Booksellers Choose Their Favorite (and not-so-favorite) Books of the
Year, 2008 Honorable Mention Best Novel for Young Readers That Adults Would
Love If They Knew About It United States
Cybil
Award, 2008 Winner Fantasy and Science Fiction (Middle Grade) United States
Elizabeth
Burr/Worzalla Award, 2009 Winner United States
Garden
State Teen Book Award, 2011 Winner Fiction Grades 6-8 New Jersey
Indies
Choice Book Award, 2009 Winner Best Indie Young Adult Buzz Book United States
John
Newbery Medal, 2009 Winner United States
Kentucky
Bluegrass Award, 2010 Winner Grades 6-8 Kentucky
Locus
Award, 2009 Winner Young Adult Book United States
Los
Angeles Times Book Prize, 2008 Finalist Young Adult Literature United States
Mythopoeic
Fantasy Award for Children's Literature, 2009 Finalist United States
School
Library Journal's Battle of the Kids' Books, 2009 Nominee United States
Thumbs
Up! Award, 2009 Honor Book Michigan United States
UKLA
Children's Book Award, 2010 Winner 12-16 United Kingdom
Connections
HarperCollins
Teaching Guide:
As an
extension activity have children create epitaph poems. Share the book Last Laughs: Animal Epitaphs by J.
Patrick Lewis to provide ideas.
Many Fans
of this book also enjoy the film The
Nightmare Before Christmas.
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