The Graveyard Book: Summary and book reviews of The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, plus links to an excerpt from The Graveyard Book and a biography of Neil Gaiman.

The John Newbery Medal, 2009 Nobody Owens, known to his friends as Bod, is a normal boy. He would be completely normal if he didn't live in a sprawling graveyard, being raised and educated by ghosts, with a solitary guardian who belongs to neither the world of the living nor of the dead. There are dangers and adventures in the graveyard for a boy - an ancient Indigo Man beneath the hill, a gateway to a desert leading to an abandoned city of ghouls, the strange and terrible menace of the Sleer. But if Bod leaves the graveyard, then he will come under attack from the man Jack—who has already killed Bod's family. . . . Beloved master storyteller Neil Gaiman returns with a luminous new novel for the audience that embraced his New York Times bestselling modern classic Coraline. Magical, terrifying, and filled with breathtaking adventures, The Graveyard Book is sure to enthrall readers of all ages. Winner of the 2009 Newbery Medal and the 2009 Hugo Award.

BookBrowse

In all – despite brief bouts with rather grisly evildoers – this is a most satisfying tale suitable for children ten and older. Gaiman's lyrical prose not only mitigates the book's more unpleasant occurrences it elevates the stature of its warmest and most endearing characters. And his crisp dialogue speaks to the kind of hipness that pre-teens most enjoy.  (Reviewed by Donna Chavez).

Full Review (961 words).

Media Reviews

Publishers Weekly When the chilling moments do come, they are as genuinely frightening as only Gaiman can make them, and redeem any shortcomings.   VOYA The conclusion is satisfying, but it leaves room for a sequel.   School Library Journal Gaiman has created a rich, surprising, and sometimes disturbing tale of dreams, ghouls, murderers, trickery, and family.   VOYA Gaiman writes with charm and humor, and again he has a real winner...Everyone who reads this book will hope fervently that the very busy author gets around to writing [a sequel] soon.   Kirkus Reviews Starred Review. Wistful, witty, wise - and creepy. ...Closer in tone to American Gods than to Coraline, but permeated with Bod's innocence, this needs to be read by anyone who is or has ever been a child. Ages 10+. Laurell K. Hamilton, author of the Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter novels After finishing The Graveyard Book, I had only one thought - I hope there's more. I want to see more of the adventures of Nobody Owens, and there is no higher praise for a book. Audrey Niffenegger, author of The Time Traveler's Wife It takes a graveyard to raise a child. My favorite thing about this book was watching Bod grow up in his fine crumbly graveyard with his dead and living friends. The Graveyard Book is another surprising and terrific book from Neil Gaiman.

Recent Reader Reviews

Rated of 5 by J. A. Thomas
More Please.....!
I had to read this for a on-line college class. I did not think I was going to enjoy it. When I opened the book to the first page, I was pleasantly, surprised. I read the book in a weekend and I really enjoyed it. I would love to read more about...   Read More

Rated of 5 by Anonymous chicken
Graveyard book
This was a thrilling story of which Bod became an adult. He has had much more adventure in his life than mine. I really do wish I could be like him. Neil Gaiman writes odd books, usually somewhat creepy, but he has some of the only books of this...   Read More

Rated of 5 by Madison Kelly
Fantasitc
It was very suspenseful and kept me on my feet....I very much so recommended this book to anyone who wants to read it.:

Rated of 5 by Kim
Charming ghost tale
I've been a Gaiman fan for years, with American Gods and Anansi Boy perennially on my ever-shifting "favorite books” list. I thought I’d give The Graveyard Book a try, even though I knew it was a children’s book. I was not disappointed. Although...   Read More

Readalikes

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