Author/Illustrator: Neil Gaiman with illustrations by Dave McKean
Plot Summary: An infant boy find his way to graveyard after his family is brutally murdered. He remains there, living his life as the adopted child of a "dead" couple and cared for by graveyard's other inhabitants. The killer remains on the loose unceasingly looking for his initial target - "Bod" - the boy's nickname and short for "Nobody." The story culminates with the killer returning, the plot revealed and Bod transitioning from the graveyard and in to adulthood.
Comments: I had to force myself to finish this book although I can see why young people would like it. That said, it portrays graphic violence and I'm not sure I would feel comfident recemending it to a middle school student. That said, its Newbery Award, and reputation of the author, would probably mitigate the somwhat controversial subject matter. Although the reading level is closer to fifth grade, I would think students through high school would enjoy the book and especially if they are fans of Gaiman. Judging from his website and interviews, he seems like a "cool guy" which in itself would attract young readers. It was after reading this book that I realized the wide age appeal of Newbery award winners.
Extensions:
1. This book would be well-suited to a literature circle although perhaps as an after-school or elective activity.
2. An author study of Neil Gaiman would enable students to compile information including multi-media sources.
3. The author reads the book aloud on his website along with creepy music. This could be an alternative for a teacher read aloud. His British accent makes the tale even more interesting.
4. Play Graveyard Sudoku with images from the book.
Themes/keywords: dead, supernatural, cemetaries
Age/Reading Level: Interest level: grade 6 and up; ATOS and Follett - 5.1; Lexile - 1070
Standards:
ELA6R1/ELA7R1/ELA8R1: The student demonstrates comprehension and shows evidence of a warranted and responsible explanation of a variety of literary and informational texts.
ELA6RC1/ELA7RC1/ELA8RC1: The student reads a minimum of 25 grade-level appropriate books or books evquivalents per year from a variety of subject disciplines.
Publisher's Info: HarperCollins, New York 2008
ISBN: 978-0-06-053092-1
Awards:
Best Books For Young Adults 2009
Best Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror 2008
Booklist Books For Older Readers - 2008
Boston Globe Horn Book Honor 2009 - Fiction & Poetry
Fanfare 2008
Newbery Medal Winner - 2009
Notable Children's Books 2009 - Middle Readers
Reviews:
Wilson's Children 07/01/09
School Library Journal 10/01/08
Booklist starred 09/15/08
Horn Book starred 11/01/08
Publishers Weekly starred 09/29/08
Kirkus Review starred 08/15/08
New York Times 02/15/09
Genre/Dewey: Juvenile/Young Adult Fiction
Websites:
1. http://www.mousecircus.com/videotour.aspx
Neil Gaiman brings the story alive with a free, video recording from one of his book tours. The site actually shows a video of him reading the book. It seemed to make the story seem less dark and more humorous.
Notes for Booktalk:
Vocabulary: mausoleum, implement, crimson, crypt, nettle, imperturbable
Comments