Awards
Winner of the 2009 Newbery Medal
Winner of The Hugo Award 2009
Synopses & Reviews
Bod is an unusual boy who inhabits an unusual place — he's the only living resident of a graveyard. Raised from infancy by the ghosts, werewolves, and other cemetery denizens, Bod has learned the antiquated customs of his guardians' time — as well as their timely ghostly teachings — like the ability to Fade.
Can a boy raised by ghosts face the wonders and terrors of the worlds of both the living and the dead? And then there are things like ghouls that aren't really one thing or the other.
This chilling tale is Neil Gaiman's first full-length novel for middle-grade readers since the internationally bestselling and universally acclaimed Coraline. Like Coraline, this book is sure to enchant and surprise young readers as well as Neil Gaiman's legion of adult fans.
Review
"Wistful, witty, wise — and creepy. Gaiman's riff on Kipling's Mowgli stories never falters, from the truly spine-tingling opening...to the melancholy, life-affirming ending....[T]his needs to be read by anyone who is or has ever been a child." Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)
Review
"Gaiman writes with charm and humor, and again he has a real winner....The conclusion is satisfying, but it leaves room for a sequel. Everyone who reads this book will hope fervently that the very busy author gets around to writing one soon." VOYA
Review
"The Graveyard Book manages the remarkable feat of playing delightful jazz riffs on Kipling's classic Jungle Books. One might call this book a small jewel, but in fact it's much bigger within than it looks from the outside." Peter S. Beagle, author of The Last Unicorn
Review
"Gaiman's gift for invention and wit are as present as ever....The Graveyard Book lacks the scope of Gaiman's best-known efforts, but some stories don't need to be epic; they simply need to be. (Grade: A)" The Onion A.V. Club
Review
"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." Laurell K. Hamilton, author of the Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter novels
Review
"The Graveyard Book is one of the most emotionally honest books I've yet to have read this year. Smart and focused, touching and wry, it takes the story of a boy raised by ghosts and extends it beyond the restrictive borders of the setting. Great stuff." A Fuse #8 Production
Review
"Gaiman has a true gift for narrative and a delightfully light touch, and there are humorous details along with spine-chilling ones. YAs will race through this fine tale and enjoy every magical, creepy moment." KLIATT
Review
"The Graveyard Book is one of Gaiman's best novels. With some notable exceptions, like Stardust and Anansi Boys, I prefer Gaiman's comic book writing (i.e. the Sandman series) to his prose, but this book is a joy to read. The scenes and characters spring vividly to life in a way that helped mark Gaiman's reputation as a comic writer but doesn't always happen in his prose. Don't be surprised to find yourself wishing you could trade places with Bod and grow up in a cemetery, yourself." Chris A. Bolton, Powells.com (read the entire Powells.com review)
Synopsis
In his first full-length novel for middle-graders since the international bestseller Coraline, Neil Gaiman introduces Bod, a boy who is the only living resident of a graveyard. Can a boy raised by ghosts face the wonders and terrors of the worlds of both the living and the dead?