I know I’ve dropped the ball on this one—every other blogger seems to have had an Advanced Reading Copy of this book for months and months. I, however, have had to subsist on these other blog reviews and the odd mention on the author’s website. Finally, however, just in time for Halloween: The Graveyard Book, by Neil Gaimain.
Nobody Owens, (Bod for short) has grown up in a graveyard. Not near a graveyard. Not next to a graveyard. Actually in a graveyard. His whole family was murdered when he was just two years old, and he escaped by toddling into the graveyard, where he was adopted by the ghosts. He’s raised by two of the ghosts (Mr. and Mistress Owens, who died almost 300 years before), guarded by Silas, who lives in the crypt and is . . . neither living nor dead, and taught, nurtured and protected by the rest of the denizens of the graveyard. Why do they need to protect him? Because no one knows why his family was killed–and the murderer is still looking for him.
I know, I know–it sounds unremittingly grim, terrifying, even. And I cannot deny that it is scary. But it’s also by turns charming, bittersweet, illuminating, and gripping. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who likes ghosts, mysteries, atmosphere and even coming-of-age stories. Happy Halloween!
(Bonus points if you figured out the title’s reference to a classic of children’s literature–The Jungle Book!).
Posted by: Sarah
I’d like to say that this book stinks.
Greg Heffley is keeping a journal of his first year in middle school to make his mother happy.
Zipping, zooming down the street . . . . What’s up ahead? Come on—Beep, beep! This clever ABC book has been around for a little while, but I think it is worth noting again. It has huge appeal to little boys like mine who love cars and trucks and THINGS THAT GO! The illustrations are bright and colorful and funny, and the letters of the alphabet show both familiar and unfamiliar names of vehicles AND make wonderful sounds such as ka-Boom, squish, crunch, and gr-r-r-r-rind. What could be better for reading aloud? Our almost 3 year old now points out Jeeps all over town (J is for Jeep) and even knows the word “Zamboni” (which by the way, his Daddy used to drive on a part-time job). We discover something new each time we read this book and could read it again and again. I think lots of kids would love it just as much!
Being a good soccer goalie in spite of having to wear thick glasses for an eye problem should make your parents proud. But Paul Fisher’s parents are so absorbed by his older brother’s football prowess, as they hope for him to fulfill his dad’s football dreams, that they don’t pay much attention to Paul’s soccer skills. They also ignore the older brother’s violent streak. The family has just moved to Tangerine, Florida, and has to cope with lightning strikes, sink holes, and burning muck. The intensity and suspense of the story combined with insight and humor make it more than just a sports story. Kids in middle school and high school will find a lot to think about in Tangerine. So will adults.
I love chocolate and couldn’t wait to read this book. I was shocked to discover it was not something light and fluffy, but rather a historical fiction novel about a Jewish American family right after WWII. The cover and inside jacket description do not hint in any way at the serious tone of this book. The book takes place in 1945 and is about a young girl named Dorrie who was to come up with a sweet treat to bring to the end of the school year. The winner from her class will be photographed and put in the local paper. However, you soon learn that there is a lot more going on. Her family is waiting for news of relatives from Europe and fearful that they have died. Then, they discover a cousin who has survived, and he comes to live with them. Needless to say, this is not a light and fluffy book. I think the publisher was being deliberately misleading which is unfortunate because it was a wonderful story. One example that really bothered me on the jacket was that they described the cousin who has just survived the Holocaust as “an immigrant from Europe”. I think that kids will pick this up not realizing what is inside and be a little turned off. On the other hand, if they had marketed it properly, they would have had a huge success, I feel, as good books about the Holocaust are always needed.
Ladies and Gentlemen!
In this very suspenseful and scary story, which takes place in New York City, 1872, fourteen-year-old Horace signs on as a photographer’s apprentice and becomes entangled in his lazy employer’s scheme to create fraudulent spirit photographs. Horace, a rational and upright person, wants no part of such goings on, and just wants to learn the art of photography. When he gets forced into his employer’s scheme, Horace discovers the photos he takes accidentally free the real ghost of a dead girl bent on revenge against those who harmed her in life.
