Author Neil Gaiman
First published 2008
Publisher Bloomsbury, UK
A ghostly adventure story for older readers from a master of dark fantasy.
Story
After “the man Jack” murders his family, Nobody “Bod” Owens finds himself alone in a graveyard. Brought up by its ghostly residents, Bod learns to navigate the land of the dead through a series of supernatural adventures. However, the real danger lies in the land of the living, where “the man Jack” waits eagerly to finish the job he started.
Why we chose it
The Graveyard Book is an inventive, funny and mysterious page turner of novel that is enjoyed by readers aged 9 to 12 as well as teens and adults. Gaiman combines fast-paced and imaginative writing with an endearing central character, Bod, and a quirky supporting cast of ghosts, vampires and ghouls.
Where it came from
English writer and comic book creator Neil Gaiman had the idea for this story while watching his two-year-old son riding a tricycle through a graveyard. He looked so comfortable among the tombstones that Gaiman decided to write a story similar to Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book but in this more gothic setting. Bod’s supernatural adventures were also influenced by P.L. Travers’ Mary Poppins stories.
Where it went next
The book was the first to be awarded both the American Newbery Medal (2009) and the British Carnegie Medal (2010), as well as numerous others including the 2009 Hugo Award. A graphic novel of the story was published in 2014 and the audiobook edition, read by Gaiman, won American Audiobook of the Year in 2015. Disney has bought the rights to the story and a film adaptation is said to be in development.
Associated stories
Gaiman’s gothic fantasies appeal to both adult and child readers. His other notable children’s stories include Coraline and Fortunately, the Milk.
Find a portrait of Neil Gaiman in the museum, dressed as his favourite story character, Badger from The Wind in the Willows, from The Story Museum’s 26 Characters exhibition.
Author Neil Gaiman
First published 2008
Publisher Bloomsbury, UK