The Graveyard Book

Written by Neil Gaiman

Illustrations by Dave McKean

Bibliographic data

Gaiman, Neil. 2008. The Graveyard Book. Ill. by Dave McKean. New York: Harper Collins. ISBN 97800605309521

Plot Summary

While his family is being murdered by the man Jack, a toddler manages to escape to the graveyard on the hill. Nobody Owens, known as Bod, is the toddler who is taken in by the inhabitants of the graveyard to keep him safe. As Bod grows up in the graveyard he encounters many ghosts and other supernatural creatures, and overcomes many challenges that face him including the man Jack who murdered his family.

Critical Analysis

Neil Gaiman does a great job in describing the setting of this supernatural fiction story. As a reader, I was immersed in the graveyard as an observer. He also provides a variety of characters from ghosts of several historical periods, an outcast witch, ghouls, hounds of god, a secret killing society, humans, and a human boy who lives in a graveyard. Nobody Owens, the human boy being raised by the ghosts in the graveyard has the traits of a normal human boy. Bod, as everyone knows him, curious boy with a want for adventure and answers.

Although the story is definitely a fantasy, Gaiman writes a creative tale that will hold the reader’s attention. He creates suspenseful adventures for Bod to experience, like his survival of entering the ghoul-gate. I found it interesting that one of the ghouls is referred to as the 33^rd President of the United States. I question why Gaiman wrote him this why, but it throws in a little twist.

As Gaiman draws the reader in to the fantasy world with his world, it is easy to experience the feelings of the characters. I felt sad when Nobody says good bye to his mother, Mrs. Owens, scared when the man Jack has Scarlett by his knife in the hill, and happy when the good guys win. Gaiman throws in some humor with his ghosts characters. They are written speaking in their natural languages of different time periods. It makes an interesting change and difference between all of the ghosts.

The occasional black and white illustrations throughout the story of intriguing and add a little flare to the novel. Dave McKean’s illustrations are dark and have a fluid curve of the lines. They show a direct relation to the ghosts of the graveyard.

This story has an interest level for grades 5 through 8. This is definitely going on my recommendation list. It was a stimulating and suspenseful novel that is an interesting read for all supernatural fans.

Review Excerpts

• Newberry Medal Winner 2009
• “This ghost-story-cum-coming-of-age novel is both bittersweet and action-filled.” Horn Book starred review
• “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

 Connections

• Have the students conduct a reader’s theater of a section of the story.

If like this book then you might want to read:

• Coraline. 2002. ISBN 978-0-380-97778-9
• Zombie Tag. 2011. ISBN 978-1-59643-720-3