the graveyard book written by neil gaiman and illustrated by dave mckean

Gaiman, Neil. The Graveyard Book, Illustrated by Dave McKean. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 2010. ISBN: 9780060530945

Plot Summary:

     Bod Owens is a boy whose parents got murdered when he was a baby. During the murders, Bod managed to crawl out of his crib into the safety of a graveyard where he was protected and adopted by Mr. and Mrs. Owens; a ghost couple. The Owens' take in Bod as their own and with the assistance Bod's guardian. As Bod continues to grow, he befriends a mortal girl named Scarlett Perkins. Together Scarlet and Bod explore the graveyard embarking on a journey to locate the graveyard's oldest occupant. 

Critical Analysis:

     The Graveyard Book is a Newbery Medal winning high fantasy work of fiction attributed by its incorporation of dark and supernatural forces while retaining literary qualities. The author, Neil Gaiman, introduces the protagonist, Nobody Owens, as he provides readers with the story how Bod's family was murdered and he escaped to safety where two ghosts adopted and raised him. Not only does Gaiman easily depict the protagonist, but he vividly describes the roles that each character plays in Bod's life and the plot of the story. The plot is introduced in the beginning of the novel as the description of how Bod grew up in a graveyard, thus providing the main setting for this novel, the graveyard. The growing themes of community, death, and good versus evil are depicted as the graveyard community raise a small mortal child together. Throughout the story, the author continually incorporates elements that encompass a high fantasy novel that appeal towards young adults. 

Awards Won:

John Newbery Medal (2009), Hugo Award for Best Novel (2009 & 2002), Carnegie Medal (2010), Locus Award for Best Young-Adult Book (2009), Cybils Awards for Fantasy & Science Fiction (2008), SFX Award for Best Novel (2010)

Review Excerpts:

"This is an utterly captivating tale that is cleverly told through an entertaining cast of ghostly characters. There is plenty of darkness, but the novel’s ultimate message is strong and life affirming….this is a rich story with broad appeal." - Booklist

"A lavish middle-grade novel, Gaiman's first since Coraline, this gothic fantasy almost lives up to its extravagant advance billing. The opening is enthralling: "There was a hand in the darkness, and it held a knife." Evading the murderer who kills the rest of his family, a child roughly 18 months old climbs out of his crib, bumps his bottom down a steep stairway, walks out the open door and crosses the street into the cemetery opposite, where ghosts take him in. What mystery/horror/suspense reader could stop here, especially with Gaiman's talent for storytelling? The author riffs on the Jungle Book, folklore, nursery rhymes and history; he tosses in werewolves and hints at vampires-and he makes these figures seem like metaphors for transitions in childhood and youth. As the boy, called Nobody or Bod, grows up, the killer still stalking him, there are slack moments and some repetition-not enough to spoil a reader's pleasure, but noticeable all the same. When the chilling moments do come, they are as genuinely frightening as only Gaiman can make them, and redeem any shortcomings." - Publishers Weekly

"Gaiman, famous for his creepy and often scary tales, Coraline and The Wolves in the Wall, has created in his new novel something that is neither creepy nor scary, despite its chilling first chapter and spectral cast of characters. This is a story about the power of family—whatever form it takes—and the potential of a child who is raised with love and a sense of duty. Nobody Owens (Bod) is adopted by a couple of ghosts after narrowly escaping death at the hands of the mysterious man who murdered the rest of his family. After much debate, he is granted the "Freedom of the Graveyard" by its long dead inhabitants. His guardian, Silas, who is neither dead nor alive, brings him food and ensures he is educated in the ways of the dead and the living. Of course, life for young Owens is not all smooth sailing. Bod must face the ghoul gate, the ancient force that waits in the oldest grave, and the mysterious man who still searches for the boy he failed to kill. The story of an orphaned boy being hunted down by a secret society and protected by magic sounds familiar, but while the story of Harry Potter resonates here, the sympathetic, flawed, and ultimately very human character of Bod saves this from being merely a reshaping of Rowling's epic tale. In fact, Gaiman's title is an homage to Kipling's The Jungle Book. I cannot help thinking, however, that this novel should be the first in a series. There are too many questions unanswered. While I never really believed that Bod was ever in any real danger in the graveyard, a boy who sets off in to the world of the living with his "eyes and heart wide open" can only be headed for uncertainty." - Children's Literature

"Wistful, witty, wise-and creepy. Gaiman's riff on Kipling's Mowgli stories never falters, from the truly spine-tingling opening, in which a toddler accidentally escapes his family's murderer, to the melancholy, life-affirming ending. Bod (short for Nobody) finds solace and safety with the inhabitants of the local graveyard, who grant him some of the privileges and powers of the dead-he can Fade and Dreamwalk, for instance, but still needs to eat and breathe. Episodic chapters tell miniature gems of stories (one has been nominated for a Locus Award) tracing Bod's growth from a spoiled boy who runs away with the ghouls to a young man for whom the metaphor of setting out into the world becomes achingly real. Childhood fears take solid shape in the nursery-rhyme-inspired villains, while heroism is its own, often bitter, reward. Closer in tone to American Gods than to Coraline, but permeated with Bod's innocence, this needs to be read by anyone who is or has ever been a child." - Kirkus Reviews 

 "Somewhere in contemporary Britain, "the man Jack" uses his razor-sharp knife to murder a family, but the youngest, a toddler, slips away. The boy ends up in a graveyard, where the ghostly inhabitants adopt him to keep him safe. Nobody Owens, so named because he "looks like nobody but himself," grows up among a multigenerational cast of characters from different historical periods that includes matronly Mistress Owens; ancient Roman Caius Pompeius; an opinionated young witch; a melodramatic hack poet; and Bod's beloved mentor and guardian, Silas, who is neither living nor dead and has secrets of his own. As he grows up, Bod has a series of adventures, both in and out of the graveyard, and the threat of the man Jack who continues to hunt for him is ever present. Bod's love for his graveyard family and vice versa provide the emotional center, amid suspense, spot-on humor, and delightful scene-setting. The child Bod's behavior is occasionally too precocious to be believed, and a series of puns on the name Jack render the villain a bit less frightening than he should be, though only momentarily. Aside from these small flaws, however, Gaiman has created a rich, surprising, and sometimes disturbing tale of dreams, ghouls, murderers, trickery, and family." - School Library Journal 

Connections:

Customers who purchased this title also bought the following novels: Dead End in Norvelt, A Wrinkle in Time, and The Cross of Lead. 

Interactivity:

• Introduce this title during Halloween.
• Ask what are some of the benefits of being raised by ghosts.
• Have children draw what a house in a graveyard would look like.

the book thief written by markus zusak

Zusak, Markus. The Book Thief. New York: Random House Children's Books, 2007. ISBN: 9780375842207

Plot Summary:

     Liesel Meminger is a 10 year old young girl who lives in Nazi Germany during Adolph Hitler's reign. Liesel travels by train to a small town outside of Munich, Germany. During this voyage, Liesel's little brother dies. Despite Liesel's inability to read, she steals her first book from the grave digger's coat while in attendance of her brother's funeral. From this point, Liesel embarks on a journey and an arising anger towards Adolf Hitler due to the celebration of his birthday through the acts of organized book burnings.  

Critical Analysis:

      The Book Thief is a young adult award winning novel that incorporates elements of historical fiction while grasping the interest of young adult readers. The author, Markus Zusak, introduces the story line by the narrator, Death. Not only is Death directly symbolic, but Death conveys the emotions of remorse for having to collect souls throughout the era that of which this novel takes place. Through the usage of the author's vivid descriptions, readers have a clear sense that this novel takes place during Nazi Germany. From the inclusion of mentions of Adolf Hilter's reigning to the mention of concentration camps, the Zusak accurately depicts the times and era of this period leading to the plot of the protagonists' book thievery. 

     Liesel Miminger is the introduced protagonist of this story who is a ten year old girl who steals books, despite her inability to read. Again, the author vividly describes how an organized celebration for Adolf Hilter's birthday is celebrated by the burning of literature. Liesel finds the burning of books impractical and a growing anger for Adolf Hitler originates. Through the author's words, young adults are transported into another time period where they can learn about the harsh and inhumane times of Nazi Germany while finding similarities through the protagonist, Liesel. 

Awards Won:

Book Sense Book of the Year Award for Children's Literature (2007), National Jewish Book Award for Children's and Young Adult Literature (2006)

Review Excerpts:

"Corduner uses considerable zeal and a talent for accents to navigate Zusak's compelling, challenging novel set in Nazi Germany. Death serves as knowing narrator for the tale, which is framed much like a lengthy flashback. The storytelling aspects of this structure include asides to the listener, and lots of foreshadowing about what eventually happens to the various lead characters-appealing features for listeners. But Corduner seems to most enjoy embracing the heart of things here-the rather small and ordinary saga of 10-year-old Liesel Meminger, who has been given over to a foster family following her mother's branding as a "Kommunist" and the death of her younger brother. Under her foster parents' care, she learns how to read, how to keep terrifying secrets and how to hone her skills as a book thief, a practice that keeps her sane and feeds her newfound love of words. With quick vocal strokes, Corduner paints vivid, provocative portraits of Germans and Jews under unfathomable duress and the ripple effect such circumstances have on their lives." - Publishers Weekly

"With Death as narrator, Markus Zusak's haunting novel (Knopf, 2003) follows Liesel Meminger, The Book Thief, through the fear-filled years of Nazi Germany. The story opens as the ten-year-old girl takes her first book shortly after her younger brother's death. Both children were en route to the foster home of Hans and Rosa Hubermann in a Munich suburb. Despite Rosa's sharp tongue and Hans's lack of work, their home is a loving refuge for the nightmare-ridden girl. It also becomes a hideout for Max, a young Jewish man whose father saved Hans's life. Liesel finds solace with her neighbor Rudy and her creative partnership with Max. Accompanied by Rudy, the girl copes by stealing food from farmers and books from the mayor's wife. There are also good moments as she learns to read and plays soccer, but Hans's ill-advised act of kindness to a Jewish prisoner forces Max to leave their safe house. The failing war effort and bombing by the Allies lead to more sacrifices, a local suicide and, eventually, to great losses. Reading books and writing down her experiences save Liesel, but this novel clearly depicts the devastating effects of war. Narrator Allan Corduner defines each character with perfect timing. He's deliberate as the voice of Death, softly strong as Liesel, and impatient, but not unkind, as Rosa. With richly evocative imagery and compelling characters, Zusak explores behind-the-lines life in World War II Germany, showing the day-to-day heroism of ordinary people. Relevant for class discussions on wars both past and present." - School Library Journal

"When Death tells a story, you pay attention. Liesel Meminger is a young girl growing up outside of Munich in Nazi Germany, and Death tells her story as "an attempt-a flying jump of an attempt-to prove to me that you, and your human existence, are worth it." When her foster father helps her learn to read and she discovers the power of words, Liesel begins stealing books from Nazi book burnings and the mayor's wife's library. As she becomes a better reader, she becomes a writer, writing a book about her life in such a miserable time. Liesel's experiences move Death to say, "I am haunted by humans." How could the human race be "so ugly and so glorious" at the same time? This big, expansive novel is a leisurely working out of fate, of seemingly chance encounters and events that ultimately touch, like dominoes as they collide. The writing is elegant, philosophical and moving. Even at its length, it's a work to read slowly and savor. Beautiful and important." - Kirkus Reviews 

"Brilliant and hugely ambitious…Some will argue that a book so difficult and sad may not be appropriate for teenage readers…Adults will probably like it (this one did), but it’s a great young-adult novel…It’s the kind of book that can be life-changing, because without ever denying the essential amorality and randomness of the natural order, The Book Thief offers us a believable hard-won hope…The hope we see in Liesel is unassailable, the kind you can hang on to in the midst of poverty and war and violence. Young readers need such alternatives to ideological rigidity, and such explorations of how stories matter. And so, come to think of it, do adults.” - The New York Times

Connections:

Customers who bought this book also bought The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, and If I Stay. 

*The motion picture, The Book Thief, directed by Brian Percival opened in theaters on November 27, 2013. 

Interactivity:

• Ask children how important books are in the world and what do they think would happen if there were not any more books.
• Give children a small history lesson pertaining to Nazi Germany in 1939.
• After the reading of this title is complete, have a movie day and discussion and watch the movie.

rapunzel's revenge written by shannon and dean hale and illustrated by nathan hale

Hale, Dale and Shannon. Rapunzel's Revenge, Illustrated by Nathan Hale. Great Britain: Bloomsbury Publishing, 2008. ISBN: 9781599902883

Plot Summary:

      Everyone knows the story of the long haired tale of Rapunzel, but what about the story of her revenge? Rapunzel lives in a huge villa with her mother, Gothel. However, this villa is surrounded by a huge stone wall that is located in the garden. Rapunzel's curiosity manages to get the best of her and she seeks to know what it is that's beyond that wall despite being told to never go outside of the walls. Rapunzel finds a way to climb to the top of the wall and finally is able to see beyond the villa, but she is caught by the villa guards and taken to her mother to explain her actions. Despite her explanations, her mother takes her far away from the villa and holds her prisoner in a tree for years before she escapes. After her escape, she proceeds in an action packed adventure to seek revenge on her mother, Gothel. What was it that Rapunzel saw over the villa wall that she journeys into battling a huge boar, a sea monster, coyotes, and kidnappers?

Critical Analysis:

     Rapunzel's Revenge is a graphic novel characterized by its comic layout while maintaining the elements of characters, plot, setting, theme, and style as a novel would. In this graphic novel, the most obvious protagonist is revealed as Rapunzel. The author sets the plot and theme around her character and story. Rapunzel can be described as a girl who displays integrity, charisma, and bravery throughout her journey for revenge. Through this journey, the author also introduces another protagonist, Jack from Jack and the Beanstalk. Jack is introduced as he enters a saloon in disguise to steal his golden goose back. From here, the two become uncanny partners through Rapunzel's journey of revenge. 

     Shannon and Dean Hale retain the story-line of Rapunzel with their inclusion of fairy tale like elements, as well as incorporating and alluding to other fairy tales such as Jack and the Beanstalk. By doing this, the authors continue the ongoing fairy tale theme of good versus evil and a happily ever after as Rapunzel and Jack seek revenge for the people who have been wronged by her evil adoptive mother. Together, this duo fight evil and "fall in love and such."

     Shannon and Dean Hale collaborate with illustrator Nathan Hale who provides readers with vibrant depictions that bring the story line to life. This collaboration strengthens the setting of the Old West by Nathan Hale's illustrations that portray characters in old western attire, covered wagons, cowboys and Indians, and saloons. Without these illustrations, it would be difficult for readers to determine the setting of this graphic novel. Not only does the collaboration between Shannon, Dean, and Nathan Hale bring life to this novel, but by their usage of a comic layout they have easily captivated the attention of the young adult audience. 

Awards Won:

John Newbery Medal (2006), Cybils Awards for Fantasy & Science Fiction (2007), ALA Notable Books for Children (2009)

Review Excerpts:

"The popular author of Princess Academy teams with her husband and illustrator Hale (no relation) for a muscular retelling of the famously long-haired heroine's story, set in a fairy-tale version of the Wild West. The Hales' Rapunzel, the narrator, lives like royalty with witchy Mother Gothel, but defies orders, scaling villa walls to see what's outside-a shocking wasteland of earth-scarring mines and smoke-billowing towers. She recognizes a mine worker from a recurrent dream: it's her birth mother, from whom she was taken as punishment for her father's theft from Mother G.'s garden. Their brief reunion sets the plot in motion. Mother G. banishes Rapunzel to a forest treehouse, checking annually for repentance, which never comes. Rapunzel uses her brick-red braids first to escape, then like Indiana Jones with his whip, to knock out the villains whom she and her new sidekick, Jack (of Beanstalk fame), encounter as they navigate hostile territory to free Rapunzel's mom from peril. Illustrator Hale's detailed, candy-colored artwork demands close viewing, as it carries the action-Rapunzel's many scrapes are nearly wordless. With its can-do heroine, witty dialogue and romantic ending, this graphic novel has something for nearly everybody." - Publishers Weekly

"This version of the classic fairy tale Rapunzel is set in the old Southwest, complete with cowboys, coal mines, and coyotes. Rapunzel is a young girl living in a fortress with Mother Gothel, an enchantress who can make plants grow at her whim. Although their home is overflowing with fruits and flowers, it is surrounded by a wall that masks the desert and coal mines outside-Gothel owns everything, and the native people depend on her good will to keep their crops growing. When Rapunzel sneaks over the wall on her twelfth birthday, she sees the desolate world over which Mother Gothel rules, and she meets her real mother who was forced to give Rapunzel to Gothel at birth. To punish her curiosity, Gothel imprisons Rapunzel inside an enchanted tree that has only one window, far above the ground. Just as in the original version, Rapunzel's hair grows prodigiously. But this girl does not need a prince to climb up and rescue her. She uses her braid as a lasso to escape the tree and goes on many adventures that lead her ultimately to reunite with her mother and find true love in a boy named Jack, whose companion is an uncooperative goose. The Hale team creates an engaging heroine. Rapunzel gallivants across the unexpected setting, meets a cast of characters both humorous and threatening, and in the end comes to inherit the land that Gothel had stripped of life and returns it to the native people. This novel presents entertaining girl power at its quirkiest." - VOYA

"This is the tale as you've never seen it before. After using her hair to free herself from her prison tower, this Rapunzel ignores the pompous prince and teams up with Jack (of Beanstalk fame) in an attempt to free her birth mother and an entire kingdom from the evil witch who once moonlighted as her "mother." Dogged by both the witch's henchman and Jack's outlaw past, the heroes travel across the map as they right wrongs, help the oppressed, and generally try to stay alive. Rapunzel is no damsel in distress-she wields her long braids as both rope and weapon-but she happily accepts Jack's teamwork and friendship. While the witch's castle is straight out of a fairy tale, the nearby mining camps and rugged surrounding countryside are a throwback to the Wild West and make sense in the world that the authors and illustrator have crafted. The dialogue is witty, the story is an enticing departure from the original, and the illustrations are magically fun and expressive. Knowing that there are more graphic novels to come from this writing team brings readers their own happily-ever-after." - School Library Journal

"A beloved fairy tale gets a glossy graphic-novel makeover, reworked in a fanciful Old West setting. Rapunzel lives an idyllic life in Mother Gothel's verdant villa until she dares question her about what lies beyond the outer wall. Her curiosity leads her to uncover the shocking truth about her past, resulting in her subsequent isolation in a faraway tower. Propelled by her strong desire to see Gothel brought to justice for her misdeeds, she escapes and embarks upon a journey to seek the truth. Along the way, she meets up with Jack (of beanstalk fame) and faces enemies of epic proportions, including sea serpents and a pack of murderous coyotes. The Hales apply a new twist (or three) to the classic tale, creating a strong, sassy, braid-whipping character who waits for no prince. Nathan Hale's art, stylistically reminiscent of a picture book, provides a snazzy counterpoint to the folksy text. A dash of typical fairy-tale romance, a strong sense of social justice and a spunky heroine make this a standout choice for younger teens." - Kirkus Reviews

Connections:

Customers who purchased this novel also bought the following titles: Calamity Jack, The Stonekeeper, and Dragon Slippers. 

Interactivity:

• Ask children what they think the novel is about just from the title. Were they correct?
• Measure each child's hair length to see who would be most fit to be the character of Rapunzel.
• Have children bring in flowers and create their own garden.