Life and Death Paradox

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman (2009)

So I must admit I have developed a bit of a crush in Mr. Gaiman. Purely in a literary and bibliophilic way of course! :)  I have been a fan of Gaiman's work for awhile now: The Anansi Boys, Coraline, American Gods. I read The Graveyard Book as part of a graduate class assignment and was particularly happy with this novel. Set in a British cemetary, Bod is a boy who has escaped death and found sanctuary among the denizens of a local cemetary turned park. Adopted by the ghosts of the graveyard, Nobody Owens is loved, educated and murtured by his new "family." Mentored by a mysterious non-dead man, Bod learns that he is living the ultimate paradox; to live, he must stay with the dead but to be with the living he risks death. This coming of age tale touches upon many archrtypal characters and themes. Simply, I loved this book! Written at an 8th grade level, I would still justify its use with older students  while exploring various literary devices and themes. Two thumbs way up! Look for the Book Trailer for this novel under my Academic Focus page. You may also like to peruse his webites: www.neilgaiman.com and www.mousecircus.com

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