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Parent reviews for The Graveyard Book

Common Sense says

Tale of boy raised by ghosts is both creepy and warmhearted.
Based on our expert review

Parents say

age 9+
Based on 22 reviews

Kids say

age 9+
Based on 34 reviews
Parent of a 4, 4, 7, 9, and 11 year old Written bygzegras November 18, 2010
Parent of a 1 and 6 year old Written byjandrewworld June 19, 2010

There is a reason why Neil Gaiman has won every award when it comes to literature.

This is the perfect book to read with your child before they go to bed. Each chapter is a self contained story, but each story sets up the end of the book. The only problem I had is that the book ends. Perhaps this summer I will read it with my little girl.

This title contains:

Positive Messages
Positive role models
Parent of a 3, 5, and 11 year old Written byshemum November 6, 2009

A good, heartwarming read.

I read this myself first before giving it to my 11yo daughter. We both really enjoyed it. I was slightly unsure in the first chapter as this is quite scary (family being killed by a man with a knife) and the pictures in the edition I have were quite scary. But as it went on it turned into a great story about how a boy turned into a good adult and was able to make the right choices, despite a clearly unusual and difficult upbringing. I liked the message that even people who might not appear to be ideal role models(ghosts/vampires etc) can still provide good advice and education. I would far rather my children read this than the other vampire / horror books that seem to be going around the school - sufficiently cool and "scary" to keep them happy, but actually quite safe and positive in message. It was also a nice fast and easy read.

This title contains:

Violence & scariness
Positive Messages
Positive role models
Parent of a 8 and 11 year old Written byOceanJenG January 27, 2012

I'm reading this to my 8.5 year old boy. I find myself having to explain what words mean at an average rate of 2-3 per page. He seems to like the story, we're just through chapter 3. But I do think it's above a *typical* 9 year olds comprehension level.

I'm reading this to my 8.5 year old boy. I find myself having to explain what words mean at an average rate of 2-3 per page. He seems to like the story, we're just through chapter 3. But I do think it's above a *typical* 9 year olds comprehension level.
Parent of a 5 and 6 year old Written byMamaRo October 26, 2013

Amazing novel; definitely a fear factor

I loved everything about this book and highly recommend it. But it definitely gets into spooky spine-tingling nightmare territory. It a kid is old enough to read it themselves, probably old enough to enjoy that kind of fear factor. But I would hesitate to read it allowed to younger kids, even at age 9. It's scary like a scary movie but not in a Stephen King way. I think middle- and high schoolers would love it.

This title contains:

Violence & scariness
Parent of an infant year old Written byChristianKight January 18, 2009
Parent of a 11 and 13 year old Written bymom-teacher-reader May 12, 2011

good read

I did like this book there were times when it was slow but the author told a good story. My girls could read this book with no problem, but I do not think that most 10 year olds could follow the story the way it is written. But if your kids can read the harry potter series, at least the first few, then this book should be ok for them.

This title contains:

Positive Messages
Positive role models
Parent of a 9 and 17 year old Written bymagialuna May 7, 2011

Extremely unique and fun book. Encourages imagination. For more fun, listen to author read it.

This book is SO unique. It is the "Jungle Book" only set in a grave yard. I read it with my 9 year old. A really fun special thing to do with this book is to watch/listen to the author read it online because Neil Gaiman read one chapter at each publicity stop on his tour for this book so if you go to his website you can watch him read the entire book. He's very emotive and a wonderful to listen to. As we read the book we discussed issues that would come up--bravery, moving out on your own when you are grown, why the ghosts had different views of life (because of how much customs changed from when the different ghosts were alive), etc. This is a very engrossing fun book to read for the adventrue of the story but it also encourages imagination because it is so unique a take on what *can* happen. It was fun to have my daughter talk about "what if ..." afterward and make up little short stories of her own. There is some violence right off. However, it is not described merely you are told that it happens. So, it is left to the reader's imagination to fill in how bloody or horrible the scene is. (Which I prefer, excessive description is unnecessary.) GREAT book.

This title contains:

Educational Value
Positive Messages
Positive role models
Adult Written bysb34chick November 21, 2009

Other than the initial premis of the movie, the story is well told

The Graveyard Book, 2009 Newbery Medal winning novel, by Neil Gaiman is a fantastic read! The story begins as if stepping into a movie, fifteen minutes into the show. The reader soon realizes a family has been slain by a mysterious murderer and the only survivor is a baby! This slaying is not described, more "alluded to". Our eighteen-month-old boy escapes to a nearby graveyard and is taken in by kind spirits of the dead. But everyone in the graveyard is not so kind and accepting of Bod. The adventures are endless, yet some readers may be turned off by hasty endeavors that could have been written with more depth. Readers who enjoyed Rowling’s Harry Potter series will immediately feel a connection with this story. Recommended grades 7-12.
Parent of a 8 year old Written bytigra March 30, 2010

Excellent fantasy

Neil Gaiman is one of my favorites, and this book is no exception. It may be scary for some children, but children love being scared, and unfortunately there is a lack in options for them today. A nice thing is that the book does tell a story, but each chapter can stand on it's own as a short story

This title contains:

Positive Messages
Positive role models
Adult Written bypinerivergirl January 4, 2010

Close up look at living in a graveyard

The only reason I gave it "iffy" was because some children may find it scary. That said, the content is about a graveyard! and those not inclined to such subject matter would probably not pick it up anyway. My daughter age 9 found it a slow start. I was sorry the story ended
Parent of a 7 and 9 year old Written bymitzigee April 29, 2009

One of the best books I've read!

As an adult, I absolutely LOVED this book. Both my children (ages 9 and 7) have read it and they loved it. It has a few scary parts, but it is a wonderful book filled with exciting and imaginative characters. When the book was over, it was sad because you wanted to keep reading the story. I highly recommend any books by Neil Gaiman.
Adult Written byJayLoBooks February 17, 2012

a little scary....not too much.

A frightful but wonderful book. It's not TOO frightful..... the balance between mystery and humor is wonderful.....it's well written too. It's an eye opener with heart and soul ! I loved it !!!

This title contains:

Positive Messages
Parent of a 4, 9, and 10 year old Written bymockingbird72 October 21, 2010

Too dark for young kids

While an amazing piece of literature, this book is much darker than the Harry Potter series. The implied violence involvesa large foreboding knife used on a family and a thin black cord used to threaten strangulation on a teen. There is some bullying that gets out of control when police are used to intimidate the protagonist. There is a graphic description of a witch that was forcibly drowned and burned. Having said that, the book is amazingly suspenseful, well written, and has positive messages. The main character is very endearing as is the community of ghosts etc that protect and care for him.

This title contains:

Violence & scariness
Positive Messages
Positive role models
Parent of a 11, 15, and 18+ year old Written byJulieKryger1970 January 5, 2009
Adult Written byJason S. September 22, 2016

Great book but need to be older...Think later "Potter" books.

This is an absolutely great book and I am a big Gaiman fan. However, this is not for 8-9 year olds. My kids are 8, and are avid and advanced readers, but the subject matter covered is really not for those so young. (Think the later Potter novels.) That being said do not miss this one its really good.
Adult Written byAllHailCornholio May 6, 2016

Amazing read

This was a great read especially the handfull of people with a dark side to their personality. If you like a semi creepy mystery this is the book for you. With a boy named nobody who was nobody .....a boy who was raised by ghosts in a graveyard.....I also believe this movie should be directed by that amazing director Bob Melvin

This title contains:

Positive Messages
Parent of a 4, 11, and 14 year old Written byLeMoon October 26, 2009

Chilling and captivating and wonderful!

The beginning is chilling but its part of what makes the book so powerful. Its is a great read. And funny but wonderful that the good role models are ghosts and other typically scary characters. The other alive people are who the boy has to be afraid of. Interesting perspective. Fabulous read.

This title contains:

Positive role models
Adult Written byapeztecorn September 30, 2011

Wonderful, creative book

Very well-written, creative book (delightful to listen to the author read it-- we got the audio CD from the library) about a boy raised by the ghosts of a graveyard. We loved this book! It would be a bit scary for younger children as a man kills Bod's family and still wants to find Bod in order to finish the job.

This title contains:

Educational Value
Positive Messages
Positive role models
Violence & scariness
Adult Written bylibrary-lisa September 25, 2009

Spooky Good Read

I think that this book sends a positive message about growing up and being your own person. Bod has tough choices to make... but in the end he seems to make the right ones. Sometimes the life we are dealt is not a pretty one, but this book shows how one boy was able to make the best of it The story is a little scary in places but not too extreme.

This title contains:

Violence & scariness
Positive Messages

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