Gaiman, Neil. 2008. THE GRAVEYARD BOOK. New York, NY: Harper Childrens Audio. ISBN 978-0061551895.
Plot Summary: The story begins with the grisly murder of a family and the escape of one family member from the scene of the crime. The escapee is a toddler who by sheer luck not only evades the killer, Jack, but also winds up at a place where he is loved and cared for…..a cemetery!! Saved by the residents, Nobody (Bod) is quickly adopted by a childless ghost couple, Mr. and Mrs. Owens, and is also introduced to his guardian, Silas, an enigmatic figure with access to the outside world, who provides not only food but guidance to Bod as he grows from a toddler to a child and eventually into adolescence.
Growing up in the graveyard, surrounded by ghosts from all ages of history, Bod learns the tricks of the trade: how to fade, how to walk through walls. When it becomes apparent that his human education is deficient, reading is added to the curriculum; and a mysterious visitor, Miss Lupescu, also tutors him in other skills that he will eventually need to save himself from the goblins. He meets a human girl, Scarlett, who becomes Bod’s friends, though her parents think he is her imaginary friend. As he gets older, he also develops a relationship with Liza Hempstock, who had been executed as a witch.
Other curious residents of the graveyard include the ghost of a Roman soldier and the Sleer, a mysterious creature that guards an ancient treasure and longs for a master. Bod eventually become a teenager, defeats the killer of his parents, Jack, along with his associates, the Jacks of All Trades, and saves Scarlett, now a teenager herself. Coming of age, Bod must leave the graveyard for life in the real world, and he does so with both nostalgia for what he is leaving behind and anticipation of the adventures awaiting him in the outside world.
This is a timeless story, appealing to both children and adults. Gaiman’s tale of growing up and wanting to belong is something that all readers can identify with, and one lesson they will take away is that love is eternal and does not die.
Critical Analysis: Gaiman’s original plot is brilliant and the characters and setting are described in loving detail. I listened to this in audio book format, narrated by the author, and his rendering of his own words along with his acting ability (he does all the characters, different accents, even sound effects) was mesmerizing. His description of nature is especially vivid and the dialogue is natural and not forced.
Bod’s transition from the graveyard to the real world parallels the transition everyone must make at the end of one’s life and contrasting the graveyard with the outside world is a brilliant literary device. Gaiman chose to create nontraditional heroes: ghosts, werewolves, and vampires become Bod’s protectors. I found that Bod’s relationship with his ghostly parents to be the least well defined yet his relationship with Silas is extremely well developed.
The plot flows chronologically with glimpses of Bod’s life at critical stages, and the author chose to leave years of Bod’s life out, creating the feeling that Bod is growing up quickly, just as our own lives pass by quickly. The story takes place in England so the descriptions and dialogue reflect British sensibilities. I am not sure if the book would have been as powerful if it had been set in the United States. An important part of the storyline is that ghosts have been in the graveyard for thousands of years and this would not have been as plausible if set in America.
Themes include good prevailing over evil, the pain of growing up (or growing old), fear of the unknown (death, going out in the world), and the power of love. Gaiman speaks through the spirits to provide life lessons that could only be learned by someone who has lived (and died) through the experience. Their collective wisdom along with their love for Bod transcends the story and gives new meaning to the old adage “It takes a village…….”
Reviews:
Awards: Newbery Medal, Locus Award for best Young Adult Novel
School Library Journal:
“Bod's love for his graveyard family and vice versa provide the emotional center, amid suspense, spot-on humor, and delightful scene-setting. The child Bod's behavior is occasionally too precocious to be believed, and a series of puns on the name Jack render the villain a bit less frightening than he should be, though only momentarily. Aside from these small flaws, however, Gaiman has created a rich, surprising, and sometimes disturbing tale of dreams, ghouls, murderers, trickery, and family.”
Booklist: *Starred Review*
“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.”
Bookmarks Magazine:
“Neil Gaiman's fantasies have entranced both younger readers and adults; this gothic fantasy, a coming-of-age story modeled after The Jungle Book and with slight nods to Harry Potter, will appeal to all ages. Gaiman creates a fantastical world where the thoughtful protagonist comes to understand the power of family as he experiences the fear, pains, confusions, and joys of growing up.”
Kirkus Reviews:
"Wistful, witty, wise-and creepy. This needs to be read by anyone who is or has ever been a child."
Horn Book:
"Lucid, evocative prose and dark fairy-tale motifs imbue the story with a dreamlike quality. This ghost-story-cum-coming-of-age-novel as readable as it is accomplished."
Connections:
Read other books by Neil Gaiman including Stardust, Coraline, InterWorld and Mr. Punch. Two of these have been made into movies (Coraline and Stardust). Screen one of the videos for students after they have read the Graveyard Book.
Pair the Graveyard Book with The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling. Compare and contrast the two using a graphic organizer. Discuss similarities and differences.
Portrayals of good and evil: Discuss how Gaiman takes what are normally perceived as evil characters (ghosts, vampires, werewolves) and turns them into heroes. Are there any modern-day examples or other examples in literature?
Read other books about orphans: David Copperfield, Jane Eyre, Harry Potter, The Secret Garden, or Oliver Twist.
After reading, students may realize that graveyards/cemeteries are not a place to fear. If possible, arrange a field trip to an historic cemetery. Teach students how to do grave rubbings that they can keep or create a library display.
Create a crossword puzzle or a word search based on The Graveyard Book. Use www.puzzlemaker.com.
Poetry connection: Gaiman uses poetry in the Graveyard Book. Analyze a poem about death. An excellent example is Crossing the Bar by Alfred, Lord Tennyson:
Sunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
When I put out to sea,
But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
Turns again home.
Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
When I embark;
For through from out our bourne of Time and Place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crossed the bar.
The author, Neil Gaiman, conducted a book tour where he read a chapter at each stop. These were recorded and are available online at http://www.mousecircus.com/videotour.aspx.
Pair this book with another book about an orphan: The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly. There are many similarities including a villain who wants the protagonist dead, an enigmatic mentor, and a magical place.
This book may interest students in genealogy. A download of a family tree builder is available free of charge at www.myheritage.com.
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