The Graveyard Book

Author: Neil Gaiman
Illustrator: Chris Riddell

Themes: Horror
Genre: Fiction. Horror, Fantasy
Age Level: 4th Grade (ages 9+)

Synopsis: When a family is killed by a man named Jack, a toddler makes his way to a graveyard, where he is adopted by the ghosts and ghouls that live there, for his protection. He meets many people throughout his adventures, both living and dead. He longs to be around the living as he gets older but finds that this is not what he had thought it would be like and soon remains in the graveyard. He eventually learns about his past and finds himself face to face with a man named Jack, who has been hunting for him for years to finish what he started.

This was a very interesting book. I believe that this would be a great book for you to give to individual students for books that might grab their attention and that they would enjoy.

Pre-Reading Activity: Discuss with the students what they think this book will be about. Have them look at the cover and ask them if they think that the cover gives anything about the book away.

Post-Reading Activity: Take a field trip to a graveyard. Have students discuss what the similarities and differences between this graveyard and the one in the book are. Have students do a grave rubbing. When they return to the classroom have them write a brief story on how this person died and what they are like in their after life.

About the Author: Originally born in the UK, Neil Gaiman later moved to the United States. He's the author of short fiction, novels, graphic novels, comic books, and films and audio theater and films. He is the first person to win both the Carnegie and Newbery Medal for his book, The Graveyard book. He has also cowrote many screenplays, including the one for the movie Beowulf. Visit his website to find a list of his books as well as other interesting information about this author.

http://www.neilgaiman.com/

Gaiman, N. (2008). The Graveyard Book. NY: HarperCollins. Grades 4+