Book Review: The Graveyard Book
Imagine that you're growing up without any parents. Imagine that a kindly group of strangers have taken you in and are raising you. Now imagine that all of those strangers have been dead for centuries. Halloween came and went a long time ago, but if you find yourself in the mood for something a little spooky — or just a really, really good story— I’ve got just the thing.
It’s called The Graveyard Book, and it’s a children's novel written by Neil Gaiman. Neil usually writes for adults (older readers of The Splot should check out the Sandman graphic novels, Neverwhere, American Gods, or Fragile Things, a collection of short stories), but he’s written for kids in the past — Coraline, his first novel for a younger audience, is being made into a movie by the guy who did The Nightmare Before Christmas.
(Check out the trailer below! It actually gives a pretty good idea of what Mr. Gaiman’s writing is like: stylish, slightly twisted fairy tales.)
The Graveyard Book is the story of a young boy — called Bod, short for Nobody — who’s adopted by the (deceased) (obviously) inhabitants of a local graveyard after his parents are murdered. Like I said — it’s a little scary. It’s never gory or gruesome, but some parts might give you shivers. Some of us like that, though . . .
To say any more would give too much away, but the book manages the impressive and difficult feat of advancing an exciting overarching plot through a series of short vignettes (self-contained stories or scenes) about Bod as he grows up and learns the ways of the world. Each chapter up until the last could actually probably be read on its own and still be a great story, and I’m impressed that Neil managed to pull that off while still linking them all to the very cool plot of the book as a whole.
And his prose (his style of writing, the words he chooses, the way he structures his sentences, etc.) is great. He’s got this sly sense of black humor — I lost count of the number of puns he made on the word “grave” — and a very theatrical, visual way of writing. You can definitely see the action playing out in your head.
If you liked watching Katniss change and grow up in The Hunger Games, or seeing our world given a little twist in Harry Potter, or the dark, fantastical elements of Twilight, then you’ll love The Graveyard Book. It’s a quick, easy read, but it’s a lot of fun. Especially if you miss Halloween already.
Till next time, Splotters!
— Jack, STACKS Staffer
I love, love, loved The Graveyard Book. I always read the Newberry winners and this just may be one of the best winners ever!
Comment #1 | Posted by: Cory on April 04, 2009 at 08:49 PM
awsum... cool beans dude
Comment #2 | Posted by: shellie on May 27, 2009 at 08:25 AM
The Graveyard Book was Great. It made me think about how many people help eachother out. Even ghosts.
Lol
Comment #3 | Posted by: Adina on May 31, 2009 at 10:19 PM
I LUV THIS BOOK! i read it for my summer reading and i loved it! can u make a second graveyard book?!
Comment #4 | Posted by: olivia on August 31, 2009 at 01:52 PM
Ilove your books
Comment #5 | Posted by: big al on September 18, 2009 at 09:55 AM
dude i need these notes for a project, idc if you'll give it away i want u 2
Comment #6 | Posted by: jerry on September 29, 2009 at 08:30 PM
Hi this is Mariah I love listening to the graveyard book online it was really good in the first chapter.
Comment #7 | Posted by: mariah on October 29, 2009 at 05:21 PM
i my self has read the grave yard books. it is a really good book. i wish that there is a another book,like a second book to the grave yard book i would totatly read it.
Comment #8 | Posted by: Dionna144 on January 03, 2010 at 07:05 PM
What is this book. Ive never heard about it before. All I heard about was that this got a Newberry Award!!!!!!!! : )
Comment #9 | Posted by: Ostoro is in GATE on January 22, 2010 at 01:03 PM
I never red a book this scary. because if you compare it to goosebumps. the grave yard book would be more scary
Comment #10 | Posted by: Kameron on March 14, 2010 at 09:22 PM
I loved the book. If there was a second i'd attak it
Comment #11 | Posted by: Adam on April 17, 2010 at 01:50 PM
great book definitely a cliffhanger loved ittt! <3333
Comment #12 | Posted by: kc on March 29, 2011 at 05:20 PM
Amazing book, but does anyone know the site were Neil Gaiman reads from the actual book? THANKS!
Comment #13 | Posted by: Larry on May 09, 2011 at 04:09 PM
What a TERRIFIC cover for a book, espically a TREMENDOUS book like this one!
Comment #14 | Posted by: citydog27 on August 28, 2011 at 08:08 PM
I read The Graveyard Book and adored it! People who like this would also like A Series Of Unfortunate Events and the Harry Potter series. Yay!
Comment #15 | Posted by: lightsong1 on January 28, 2012 at 11:17 AM