Genre: Young Adult
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication Date: September 2008
Reviewed by Jaci Miller
As a toddler, Bod escapes the brutal murder of his family by wandering from his home into a nearby graveyard. There, the resident spooks protect him from the murderer who has targeted him. The ghostly Mr. and Mrs. Owens decide to raise him within the graveyard and name him Nobody (Bod) Owens. Bod explores his home and learns the ways of the spirit world from his “parents,” his immortal guardian, Silas, and a host of other eccentric creatures who protect and educate him. As he grows, Bod yearns to discover the world outside the graveyard—but in that world, a murderer waits for him.
Neil Gaiman offers a unique spin on Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book with this supernatural coming-of-age tale. The Graveyard Book won the Newbery Award, but the content of this book may be better suited to young teens than children, given the disturbing nature of some of the scenes.
While an interesting tale, occasional portions of it seem to wander unnecessarily and the antagonists lack clear motivation at the end. When Gaiman does supply this motivation, it feels too similar to, and less fully justified than, a certain other magical YA book. Indeed, a number of elements contain Potter references; perhaps this is deliberate, but it feels more like borrowing than demonstrating appreciation for a similar book.
Still, this is a well-written, engaging work that is rich in sensory detail. Gaiman’s flair for characterization and narrative transports readers directly into an eerie setting where they grow to feel nearly as at home as Bod himself.
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