Neil Gaiman’s perennial favorite, The Graveyard Book, has sold more than one million copies and is the only novel to win both the Newbery Medal and the Carnegie Medal. 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’ … antiquated customs of his guardians’ time as well as their ghostly teachings—such as the ability to Fade so mere mortals cannot see him.
Can a boy raised by ghosts face the wonders and terrors of the worlds of both the living and the dead?
The Graveyard Book is the winner of the Newbery Medal, the Carnegie Medal, the Hugo Award for best novel, the Locus Award for Young Adult novel, the American Bookseller Association’s “Best Indie Young Adult Buzz Book,” a Horn Book Honor, and Audio Book of the Year. Don’t miss this modern classic—whether shared as a read-aloud or read independently, it’s sure to appeal to readers ages 8 and up.
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Unforgettable-this is a book reluctant readers can’t put down.
I have listened to the audiobook twice now. I love hearing Neil Gaiman’s awesome voice and British accent read his own ghostly book. Such a cute story. I suggested it for an October book club read and it was a hit with all. It’s also a great book for kids, a great Halloween season read as a family!
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman is fascinating! Fantasy at its best! A killer sneaks in a house of a family of four. He kills three but the toddler just so happens to be an escape artist from his crib. It wasn’t the first time he had escaped but this time it saved his life. He had made it to a graveyard where he was noticed by the dead residents there. They decided to keep him when his recently deceased mom appears and asks them to care for him. This is his story of life growing up with ghost parents and friends and a vampire guardian. He tries to go to school but it really gets weird. Meanwhile, the killer is still looking for the child that got away. Love all the great characters and fun situations. Will have to see if there is a sequel. I loved this book!!!
So, unbelievably good. This is one of the best books I’ve read in YEARS. Seriously…I cannot recommend this enough. Wow.
This is the kind of book that is very different from what I typically read and I had my reservations about it. I fully expected to dislike it and find that I am surprised. It’s really a very well written story that I found myself enjoying very much. If you like mystery, murder, ghost stories, ghouls, werewolves, witches, and other-worldly things OR if you don’t like those things but you want to be surprised at liking a book written about all of them, this is the book for you.
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: This is a full-cast audio book and done very well.
I absolutely love this book. I love Bod. I love the Owens family. I love it all. This book follows Bod a child that grew up in the graveyard. He is taught to read, write, and almost everything about life from the ghostly residents that reside there. Unfortunately, Bod has to remain in the graveyard at all times because Jack the man responsible for the demise of Bods family is still out to get him. On the few times curiosity gets the best of Bod he leaves the graveyard in search of certain things to assist with its residence. Upon doing this he learns the world outside the gates are filled with some unsavory characters but when he returns home he has new experiences and new lessons learned. This book was easy to follow and I love the imagination Neil Gaiman has put in this extraordinary book.
When I went into this book, I actually wasn’t sure what to expect but I’d heard it dealt in the supernatural and paranormal (Of which I find pretty intriguing), so I listened to the acclaimed full-cast reading of the book.
After completing it, I can safely say that I’m truly happy that I decided to give this book a shot because it was easily one of the most entertaining, and often endearing, books that I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading/listening to.
The book’s main theme is actually life and how we all grow up and must eventually face the world on our own. It follows the journey of a young boy named Nobody “Bod” Owens through his childhood to becoming an adult. The adventures he finds himself in the graveyard throughout his journey are highly entertaining. The story utilizes many different supernatural/paranormal creatures like ghosts, werewolves and even ghouls.
At it’s heart, the book is a supernatural coming of age story and it’s easily one of the best that I’ve come across. I’m 32 years old as of writing this review and this book made me think of my childhood and the adventures I had growing up. The end of the book made me a bit sad as well because it’s something we all must go through but never really think about until we’re much older and the time has already past.
If you ever get the chance to read this book, I highly recommend doing so, it’s a superb story and is great for not only young adults but adults as well.
One of the finest children’s books I’ve read. I learned so much about writing for children from it, and it opened my eyes to the possibilities.
I believe this is my sixth Neil Gaiman book. Once again I listened to the audio book option. I can not pass up listening to Neil Gaiman read his books aloud. The Graveyard Book is creepy, and funny, and utterly enjoyable.
Amazing book great for kids and adults. I loved it as an adult and plan on reading it to my child.
I’ve read this book once before, back in 2008 when it was recently published, in fact this was my first Gaiman book, and I loved it, as I’d loved every other Gaiman book I’ve read since.
Here’s what I wrote back in December 2008:
I like this book a lot!! The story is about a kid that is raised by ghosts in a cemetery kind of fantastic but really well written. I guess this book must have a sequel, because in my opinion there are still some explanations missing
Now after a second reading I´m still liking it a lot and I I still think it should have a sequel.But now, not because there are missing parts, cause they are all there; I just missed them the first time, but because I would love to see more of Bod and all the other characters.
Neil Gaiman is amazing on the audiobook.
This book was wonderful
Loved it. Planning to read it again. Neil Gaiman is an amazing writer
This was my favorite book from 4th grade to about 9th or 10th when I realized I couldn’t narrow it down to one favorite anymore. As I get older and reread it, I continue to see the book in totally new ways than I remember it and it’s a book I don’t think I’ll ever stop coming back to.
This was inspirational. What a twisted delight.
What can I say about Neil Gaiman that hasn’t been said? Everything he writes is gold. I don’t think I’ve enjoyed anything in recent memory as much as this book. From a great premise, to unforgettable characters, it has everything. My whole family became engrossed in this book in audio form while on a trip and we loved it so much, we didn’t want to turn off the car and stop it. The characters were wonderful and there were enough quotable lines that we’re still spouting it. The haunting undertones were enough to give us the creeps. And then there’s Gaiman’s voice…well…you know. He could read the periodic table and we’d listen, rapt. You will not regret getting this book, just be forewarned that you might not be able to set it down until it’s done.
It’s Neil Gaiman, so you can expect it to be excellent writing and highly original. And this book doesn’t disappoint. Gaiman isn’t always suitable for pre-teens, but this book is. It’s great reading for middle graders, upper elementary, teens, adults, just about anyone. Now in graphic novel format too.
Like Kipling’s The Jungle Book, which inspired the initial conceit of this wonderful book, it’s a coming-of-age tale, but set in a graveyard. Even better, it’s a cemetery populated by ghosts, ghouls, and at least one masterful vampire. Who better to raise a young orphan escaped from a dire murder attempt? Where better to grow up knowing shadowy secrets about our world? Dance with them as we laugh, cry, and rejoice along with the protagonist. Dark delight for all ages. Strongly recommended. / Gene Stewart
One of my favorites!