Sunday, October 11, 2009
The Graveyard Book: Neil Gaiman
Title: The Graveyard Book
Author: Neil Gaiman
Illustrator: Dave McKean
Publisher: Harper Collins
Media Format: Book
Genre: Supernatural, Coming of Age
Selection Source: Newbery Award 2009 Best Books for Young Adults
Recommended Audience: Tweens +
Reading Recommendation: 5
Review
It will be hard to follow Neil's own beautifully illustrated introduction to his own book, but I'll give it a go. The (beautifully, hauntingly illustrated) Graveyard Book won the Newbery Medal which is given to the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children, but at 300 pages and dealing with a brutal society of killers, The Graveyard Book is only suitable for the most mature of children, and is interesting enough for most YAs (and adults).
The novel begins when a killer dressed in black murders three fourths of a family, and is on his way to kill the most important and seemingly vulnerable member of that family. After finding the child's crib empty, the killer tracks the child to a Graveyard, where he meets the one figure in London scarier than he is, who then convinces him the child could not be found in the graveyard. After much debate, the deceased members of the graveyard decide to adopt the child, and name him Nobody Owens (Owens for the last name of the couple who fought the hardest to keep him).
Besides growing up in a graveyard, nobody leads a relatively linear life. He makes friends and loses them. He goes to school and has to deal with bullies. Although he does use some tricks taught to him buy his dead friends. He rebels against his caretakers, and goes on an adventure. He reunites with a long lost friend. Finally, he uses the skills he has accumulated to overcome a major obstacle, proving to his caretaker that he is capable of moving out of the graveyard and surviving on his own.
Evaluation
This book has the potential for very broad appeal. Neil Gaiman is the rare author who can right a book that a 10 year old can enjoy, as well as a 40 year old. It's primary appeal is that it has an edgy dangerousness that can pull readers in immediately, meanwhile offering lessons (or reminders) in growing up.
Labels:
Books,
Coming of Age,
Newbery Award,
Supernatural,
YALSA
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