Bibliographic data
Gaiman, Neil. The Graveyard Book. New York: HarperCollins, 2008. Illus. By Dave McKean ISBN 9780060530938
Critical analysis
Characterization –
This leading postmodern writer has once again created these amazing and diverse characters. These characters are what make this imaginary scenario seem real. The mysterious character of man Jack keeps readers on edge. Readers constantly worry and wonder why Jack killed Bod’s family and why he is still, after all these years out to finish Bod off. The ghostly characters of the novel are left ambiguous, their full story is never clear, for readers to use their imagination.
Plot –
The plot plays homage to Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book for obvious reasons of a boy being taken care of by people not ordinary in the role of the child’s caretakers. In this case, the guardians of Bod are deceased. Readers are swept away in this fantasy of the ability of a little boy that is alive and well that interact with ghosts.
Setting –
As Gaiman writes him characters to be well-rounded individuals that are more than just an imaginary aspect of the story, the setting itself. Dave McKean’s simple but intrinsicate illustrations help place readers inside the mind of Gaiman and along with Bod in his journey.
Theme –
Death and murder create a prominent theme throughout this book. This is how the book begins, with a gruesome family murder.
Belonging is also an important theme for this novel. Poor Bod neither fits in within the living world or the dead world. He feels more comfortable in the ghostly graveyard world, but he really doesn’t fit in there. He longs to have a real life outside of the graveyard but it’s more of a tumultuous time for him “out there.”
Jack finally tells of the reason why the boy was supposed to be murdered along with his family:
"We killed you for protection. Long time ago, one of our people . . . foresaw that one day there would be a child born who would walk the borderland between the living and the dead. That if this child grew to adulthood it would mean the end of our order and all we stand for” (271).
It was more important for the young toddler boy, Bod, to die than his family, but he escaped. The entire length of the novel is a gripping read because readers are there with Bod as he escapes as a toddler, grows up, and has to escape death again.
Review excerpts
School Library Journal
Gaiman, Neil. The Graveyard Book. New York: HarperCollins, 2008. Illus. By Dave McKean ISBN 9780060530938
Critical analysis
Characterization –
This leading postmodern writer has once again created these amazing and diverse characters. These characters are what make this imaginary scenario seem real. The mysterious character of man Jack keeps readers on edge. Readers constantly worry and wonder why Jack killed Bod’s family and why he is still, after all these years out to finish Bod off. The ghostly characters of the novel are left ambiguous, their full story is never clear, for readers to use their imagination.
Plot –
The plot plays homage to Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book for obvious reasons of a boy being taken care of by people not ordinary in the role of the child’s caretakers. In this case, the guardians of Bod are deceased. Readers are swept away in this fantasy of the ability of a little boy that is alive and well that interact with ghosts.
Setting –
As Gaiman writes him characters to be well-rounded individuals that are more than just an imaginary aspect of the story, the setting itself. Dave McKean’s simple but intrinsicate illustrations help place readers inside the mind of Gaiman and along with Bod in his journey.
Theme –
Death and murder create a prominent theme throughout this book. This is how the book begins, with a gruesome family murder.
Belonging is also an important theme for this novel. Poor Bod neither fits in within the living world or the dead world. He feels more comfortable in the ghostly graveyard world, but he really doesn’t fit in there. He longs to have a real life outside of the graveyard but it’s more of a tumultuous time for him “out there.”
Jack finally tells of the reason why the boy was supposed to be murdered along with his family:
"We killed you for protection. Long time ago, one of our people . . . foresaw that one day there would be a child born who would walk the borderland between the living and the dead. That if this child grew to adulthood it would mean the end of our order and all we stand for” (271).
It was more important for the young toddler boy, Bod, to die than his family, but he escaped. The entire length of the novel is a gripping read because readers are there with Bod as he escapes as a toddler, grows up, and has to escape death again.
Review excerpts
School Library Journal
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
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.”
Connections
http://www.thegraveyardbook.com/
2009 Newbery Winner
Book Tour: http://www.neilgaiman.com/p/Cool%20Stuff/Video%20Clips/The%20Graveyard%20Book%20Tour
Write a Readers’ Response
Take a fieldtrip to a graveyard and research a person from the graveyard.
Connections
http://www.thegraveyardbook.com/
2009 Newbery Winner
Book Tour: http://www.neilgaiman.com/p/Cool%20Stuff/Video%20Clips/The%20Graveyard%20Book%20Tour
Write a Readers’ Response
Take a fieldtrip to a graveyard and research a person from the graveyard.
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