Genre 6 - THE GRAVEYARD BOOK by Neil Gaiman

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Giaman, Neil. 2008. THE GRAVEYARD BOOK. New York: HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN 9780060530938

2. PLOT SUMMARY
On a dark night, a man, Jack, enters a house and kills a family only to discover the baby (and primary target) is gone. The curious child had wandered through the open door and across the street to the local graveyard. It is here that Nobody Owens is taken in, named, and cared for by a ghostly community. For the remainder of his childhood, Nobody—or Bod, as he is called—experiences the Freedom of the Graveyard where his new parents (the Owenses) and mysterious guardian (Silas) care for him. Through a series of episodic events Bod experiences life inside the safety of the graveyard gates and the dangers of the outside worlds (both human and ghoul). As the man, Jack, returns to finish his initial task, Bod comes into his own and eventually sets out for life in the world of the living.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
A high fantasy novel, THE GRAVEYARD BOOK, intrigues readers as it gradually reveals Nobody Owens, Bod’s, story. Through a mixture of life and death, present and history, this world and others, the consistently contrasting stories and themes keep readers engaged in the book’s tale. Many readers, especially tweens and teens, can relate to many of the human emotions and desires of both Bod and Scarlett (i.e. wanting to go to school, wanting to experience freedom, wanting a phone, feeling friendship, trust, etc.), while older (even adult) readers may be able to empathize with the guarding nature of the graveyard’s inhabitants.

An inventively interesting and unique cast of characters make up the graveyard, and in each character is a bit of a history lesson and look at a different time and society. Even non-human characters (like the ghouls) present a bit of education through their chosen titles—i.e. the 33rd president and the Emperor of China. As each new graveyard character is introduced, Gaiman adds his own unique touch by sharing with readers the individual gravestone inscriptions. This aspect combined with the occasional black and white illustration by Dave McKean gives readers a brief visual insight into the world that Gaiman is trying to create. The author does an equally excellent job of crafting accents and dialects through his word choice and dialogue.

The timeless themes of good and evil and growing up are present throughout the book; and, while they are not presented in the traditional manner, they are still quite relevant and applicable to readers of all ages and interests. Gaiman does a stupendous job of creating a warmth and home within the darker setting of an ancient graveyard.

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
Review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Gaiman has created a rich, surprising, and sometimes disturbing tale of dreams, ghouls, murderers, trickery, and family.”

Review in BOOKLIST: “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.”

5. CONNECTIONS
*Because such vivid descriptions are given about creatures and worlds that cannot be seen or visualized, have students create illustrations of specific characters or places (i.e. Ghulheim) as they picture them. Then have students share their illustrations with others to see how different individuals may have imagined the same thing.
*Have students predict what will happen to Bod out in the world of the living—briefly finish writing his story.
*What would Nobody Owens’ headstone say at the end of his life? Have students consider this, and then create their own unique headstones for Bod.