Neil gaimans the graveyard book july book club discussion. There was a hand in the darkness, and it held a knife. The jungle book was very episodic, focusing on different animal groups or jungle traditions with each chapter. All nineyearold spitfire starla claudelle yearned for was her mother and a secure, loving family. The graveyard book traces the story of the boy nobody bod owens who is adopted and raised by the supernatural occupants of a graveyard after his family is brutally. The graveyard book is a childrens fantasy novel by the english author neil gaiman, simultaneously published in britain and america during 2008. This readers guide includes group discussion questions and extension activities to supplement the book. The knife had a handle of polished black bone, and a blade finer and sharper than any razor. Another thing that would be interesting is a discussion of the graveyard book in the context of gaimans overall body of work. Bod owens the graveyard book the graveyard book, coraline jones, american gods. The graveyard book by neil gaiman is an unusual story about a boy named nobody bod owens.
It won the newbery medal in 2009, has been translated into a bunch of languages, and is loved by kids and adults. Start studying comprehension and discussion questions the graveyard book. Handpicked recommendations to other books that have a similar writing style or theme to the graveyard book. This lesson will guide classroom discussions about this story. Its almost time for our may book club so i thought id best tell you about our march book we read whistling past the graveyard by susan crandall. The owenses agree, and with the steadfast assistance of silas, a shadowy figure who has the freedom of the graveyard, the young boy becomes the graveyard s only living residenti just read a book called the graveyard book which is a story that follows a two year old boys odd life until he is fifteen years old. Bring on the tough stuff theres not just one right answer. About the book when his family is murdered one night by the man jack, an infant boy toddles unnoticed up the street to the graveyard, where he is taken in and raised by its denizensghosts, ghouls, vampires, and werewolves. Its the first book ive read this year, since my story mind has. Like some of gaimans other books for example, the brilliant and terrifying coraline, the action takes place in a world just beyond the edge of our own unsettling, disorienting, menacing, but also filled with humour and human longing. James herbert the invention of immortal folk who readers feel they. The graveyard book ends when bod is about fifteen years old.
The graveyard book by neil gaiman with illustrations by dave mckean. Join in for a selfguided tour of the historic city cemetery as the group discusses neil gaimans newbery award winning tale, the graveyard book. Neil gaiman, dave mckean, margaret atwood the graveyard book the graveyard book by neil gaiman in this newbery medalwinning novel, bod is an unus. Join us at our monthly book club for 9 to 12yearolds. The graveyard book by neil gaiman books the guardian. A chilly breeze blew across the graveyard, scattering the fog in the lower slopes of the place for the graveyard covered the whole of the top of the hill, and its paths wound up the hill and down and back upon themselves. Whistling past the graveyard book club discussion questions. Content includes books from bestselling, midlist and debut authors. Whistling past the graveyard by susan crandall book club. In this newbery medalwinning novel, bod is an unusual boy who inhabits an unusual place hes the. Reading guide for the graveyard book by neil gaiman discussion guide for book clubs. Harpercollins publishing this discussion and activity guide for neil gaimans the graveyard book is designed to extend student learning and encourage critical thinking skills. Comprehension and discussion questions the graveyard book.
Oct 31, 2017 the graveyard book by neil gaiman bod, although named nobody owens, isnt a nobody. He would be completely normal if he didnt live in a graveyard, being raised by ghosts, with a guardian who belongs to neither the world of the living nor the dead. If you work at a school you can use rewards to buy books and resources for your classroom or library. The graveyard book by neil gaiman is a newberry awardwinning childrens novel about an orphan raised in a graveyard by the undead. And there are parallels between jungle and graveyard characters, too. Apr, 2019 the graveyard book was first recommended to me by my cousin several years ago. It follows the adventures of a boy named bod after his family is murdered and he is left to be brought up by a graveyard. Book club member amelia herron, 12, from manchester, mich. There are adventures in the graveyard for a boyan ancient indigo man, a gateway to the abandoned city of ghouls. Review of the graveyard book by neil gaiman, plus backstory and other interesting facts about the book. We can start with the obvious connection between the graveyard book and the jungle book, although with the late start this month i dont think. The graveyard book by neil gaiman, dave mckean, paperback. Oct 24, 2008 t he graveyard book begins, as so many childrens novels seem to do these days, with a multiple murder. Bod is an unusual boy who inhabits an unusual placehes the only living resident of a graveyard.
We see him gradually losing his freedom of the graveyard powers must be puberty, and then leaving the graveyard by himself with money, a passport, and big, big dreams. This is, quite frankly, the best book neil gaiman has ever written. The graveyard book confirms what ive always thought. Le guin, one came home by amy timberlake, bitterblue by kristin cashore. This discussion and activity guide for neil gaimans the graveyard book is designed to extend student learning and encourage critical thinking skills.
Read more about book club whistling past the graveyard. The graveyard book, neil gaiman the graveyard book is a childrens fantasy novel by the english author neil gaiman, simultaneously published in britain and america during 2008. From the author of coraline comes the graveyard book, a novel about a boy being raised in a graveyard by ghosts, ghouls, werewolves, and vampires. The graveyard book is a young adult fantasy novel by the english author neil gaiman. Neil gaimans ghostly babysitters club neil gaimans new novel, the graveyard book, is the story of an orphan toddler adopted by dead people. The graveyard book is the winner of the newbery medal, the carnegie medal, the hugo award for best novel, the locus award for young adult novel, the american bookseller associations best indie young adult buzz book, a horn book honor, and audio book of the year. Magical, terrifying, and filled with breathtaking adventures, the graveyard book is the story of bod, a boy who lives in a sprawling graveyard, being raised and educated by ghosts. Gaiman explains how nobody owens learns the value of life from the dead. Sep 11, 2014 this book was read for the booktubeathon this book is for 4. Both volumes of the new york times bestselling the graveyard book graphic novel are now available in a singlevolume paperback edition each chapter in this adaptation by p. So when it came time to chose a book for the book club discussion, i immediately grabbed up the graveyard. Oct 29, 20 last night at my tween book club, we discussed the graveyard book by neil gaiman, one of my very favorite newbery winners. Winner of the 2009 newbery medal and the 2009 hugo award.
The original hardcover edition of a perennial favorite, the graveyard book by neil gaiman, which has sold more than one million copies and is the only novel to win both the newbery medal and the carnegie medal. Apr 28, 2015 its almost time for our may book club so i thought id best tell you about our march book we read whistling past the graveyard by susan crandall. Like coraline, another popular book by this author, students will find the dark, supernatural content of this book entertaining. In this novel of wonder, neil gaiman follows in the footsteps of longago storytellers, weaving a tale of unforgettable enchantment. The graveyard book by neil gaiman and dave mckean it takes a graveyard to raise a child. Rather than taking a stroll in midtown, the book club decided to switch it up this year. Whistling past the graveyard book by susan crandall.
Readers guide for the graveyard book by neil gaiman. If you loved the help, or kitchen house you will love this book too. The graveyard book graphic novel single volume by neil gaiman. My favorite thing about this book was watching bod grow up in his fine crumbly graveyard with his dead and living friends. This months book is the graveyard book by neil gaiman. They name the boy nobody owens and everyone calls him bod. The graveyard book book santa clara county library. The graveyard book questions and answers discover the community of teachers, mentors and students just like you that can answer any question you might have on the graveyard book. Craig russellnow combined into one splendid volumeis illustrated by a different luminary from the comic book world, showcasing a variety of styles from a breadth of talent. The graveyard book traces the story of the boy nobody bod owens who is adopted and raised by the supernatural occupants of a graveyard. Schools earn scholastic rewards when parents or staff order from us.
If you are familiar with rudyard kiplings the jungle book, discuss how the graveyard book is reminiscent of kiplings classic tale. Mar 30, 2010 the jungle book was very episodic, focusing on different animal groups or jungle traditions with each chapter. Last night at my tween book club, we discussed the graveyard book by neil gaiman, one of my very favorite newbery winners. Book club guide indie next pick target book club pick winner siba 2014 award for fiction enhance your book club experience with these discussion questions, insider information, author interview, and recipe suggestions. He would be completely normal if he didnt live in a sprawling graveyard, being raised and educated by ghosts, with a solitary guardian who belongs to neither the world of the living nor of the dead. Rather than taking a stroll in midtown, we decided to switch it up this year. The graveyard book by neil gaiman, cinnamon and gunpowder by eli brown, the fault in our stars by john green, starcross by philip reeve, the lost sun by tessa gratton, the birthday of the world and other stories by ursula k.
Americas most haunted cemeteries luckily for young bod he happened upon an abandoned graveyard that was haunted by benign, some would even say friendly, ghosts. It was first published in 2008, and is packed full of awesome illustrations by dave mckean. A mysterious character known only as the man jack sneaks into a family home and kills mum. This is one of my favourite books by neil gaiman, and i absolutely adore bod and all the folks in the graveyard. A baby boy manages to escape from a murderous man named jack by crawling out of his. The graveyard book owes an acknowledged debt to rudyard kipling, and part of the pleasure is seeing how gaiman draws in familiar elements and makes them his own. It was a great choice for a spooky october evening, close to halloween. Finish a book in one day the graveyard book volume 2 was so amazing and beautiful. The graveyard book, a modern classic, is the only work ever to win both the newbery us and carnegie uk medals. Gaiman loves halloween and all the creepy fun that goes along with. Lockhart, the fault in our stars by john green, children of blood and bone by tomi adeyemi, the hate u.
Last month, my book club read whistling past the graveyard by susan crandall. The story is loosely based on rudyard kiplings the jungle book with the. Its been on my list ever since, so i passed on the recommendation to my local book club in hopes that i might find extra motivation to get around to reading the story. A site dedicated to book lovers providing a forum to discover and share commentary about the books and authors they enjoy. Discuss how both of these elements serve the story. In late 2008, gaiman released a new childrens book, the graveyard book. Reading guide for the graveyard book by neil gaiman bookbrowse. The pajiba book club announces the graveyard book by neil. Gaimans gift for invention and wit are as present as ever, but theres an ease to this novel thats sometimes lacking in his prose. The graveyard book is another surprising and terrific book from neil gaiman.
Audrey niffenegger, author of the time travelers wifeafter finishing the graveyard book, i had only one thought i hope theres more. How old is bod when he leaves the graveyard for the last time. These questions will lead to class discussions about this book. The graveyard book tells the story of how a young boy comes to be raised by ghosts, and a guardian, silas, who is neither dead nor alive although it is not clarified his characteristics suggest he is a reformed vampire. A graveyard tour with neil gaiman welcome to nprs backseat book club, where author neil gaiman is here to answer your questions about the graveyard book. The book club chose the book for the march book, and i had a great time reading it. Inspired retelling of the jungle book, set in a graveyard. Book club whistling past the graveyard eat 2 gather. If you are familiar with rudyard kiplings the jungle book, discuss how the graveyard book is. From the opening lines, gaiman is able to hook readers with a distinct narrative voice and a vivid setting. Reading guide for the graveyard book by neil gaiman. Eat snacks, chat about our book, participate in activities, and make new friends.
Welcome to nprs backseat book club, where author neil gaiman is here to answer your questions about the graveyard book. Dec 24, 2018 my favorite thing about this book was watching bod grow up in his fine crumbly graveyard with his dead and living friends. The graveyard book is english author neil gaimans bestselling childrens novel. The graveyard book, by turns exciting and witty, sinister and tender, shows gaiman at the top of his form. Join us for a selfguided tour of the historic city cemetery as we discuss neil gaimans newbery award winning tale the graveyard book.