Guest Review: The Graveyard Book

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Summary of book:
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:
A baby somehow manages to escape the man who kills his whole family and is adopted by the ghosts of the town graveyard. He is given the name Nobody and learns all sorts of interesting things about witches, hell hounds, and other supernatural creatures as he grows up in the cemetery.

The story starts out with the grisly deaths of Nobody's family, which makes you think that this might be a thriller, but once Nobody reaches the graveyard, it's evident that this story is something else. Gaiman makes the graveyard feel like a little town where, of course, the inhabitants are all dead, but it has small town charm written all over it.

There are times where Nobody goes on adventures to mysterious places such as a forbidden mound and the underworld where he meets a Hell Hound. Mostly though, this is a story of growing up and discovery. Nothing is superfluous in this story, and I really enjoyed that.

There isn't a lot of action but when you're done reading, there is a sense of peace so read this when you want something light, charming, and amusing.

Star Rating: 4.0/5.0

For an explanation of the Star Rating, go here.