InkyThink

Written by Neil Gaiman

Illustrated by Dave McKean

Nobody Owens, or "Bod" to his family and friends, cannot remember who his real parents are, and is never told. He grew up in a graveyard with his adoptive parents, Mr. and Mrs. Owens, his guardian, Silas, and many other ghosts who had died long before Bod was  born. Life is as normal as it ever is in the Graveyard, and because Bod has the Freedom of the Graveyard, he is able to walk through walls and fade pretty easily from sight. He doesn't clearly understand the world outside the Graveyard, but that doesn't stop him from being curious.

Later on in his life, Bod finds out that the man who killed his parents and sister is still looking for him. Bod does not like this. Before he knows it, he is in the middle of a mystery. Something's not right, and what Bod finds out will keep you reading all night!

~

I loved this book. It took me a record breaking 5 hours to finish, and I do not anticipate that happening again in the near future. The Graveyard Book; sounds spooky, doesn't it? Don't worry, it's not. I had a blast reading it, and I'm sure any child who picks it up will enjoy it immensely. It's a great book to read together. When I was little I remember reading a chapter or two a night of some classic books like Charlottes Web, or Heidi. I believe this book will become a classic as well. I was impressed to learn that it won the Hugo; and this is not the first Hugo for Mr. Gaiman either. His Novella Coraline, won a Hugo in 2003, and in 2004 A Study in Emerald won the Hugo for Short Story. (If you would like to know more about the Hugo, look forward to my post about it that should be up in a day or two!) I was surprised to read in the Acknowledgements that a "Mr. Riddell" was attributed by Mr. Gaiman in illustrating some of the book. I wondered if it was the same Mr. Riddell who wrote and illustrated "The Emperor of Absurdia" so I looked it up. I was right, though in the copy I bought, the illustrations were done by Dave McKean. I admired his work as well. It fit perfectly with the story. I devoured this book, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!