The Graveyard Book Volume 1
By: Neil Gaiman
This is the first volume of a two-volume graphic novel edition of Neil Gaiman’s #1 New York Times bestselling and Newbery Medal-winning novel The Graveyard Book, adapted by P. Craig Russell and illustrated by a team of talented artists.
Seven artists (Kevin Nowlan, P. Craig Russell, Tony Harris, Scott Hampton, Galen Showman, Jill Thompson, and Stephen B. Scott) have each contributed their own unique styles in this new version/style of Neil Gaiman’s intriguing novel.
Volume One contains Chapter One through the Interlude, while Volume Two includes Chapter Six to the end. This book begins with a rather dark and scary beginning with toddler Nobody Owens, narrowly escaping the brutal murder of his family. He wonders off and finds himself in the local graveyard and is interestingly adopted by the supernatural occupants of this graveyard. The story follows Bod as his new graveyard family raises him with thoughtfulness and he begins to explore both the ethereal world in which he lives and the “outer world”. Bod becomes increasingly daring and adventurous as he grows older and takes the reader on many adventures and he requires some rescuing by some of his graveyard guardians from time to time. Gaiman’s talented writing style combined with the wonderful illustrations make for a page-turner and it certainly captures the imagination and incites curiosity. The reader will want to follow Bod along as he looks for Silas in his chapel, visits the oldest burial chamber of the graveyard, and searches for a ghoul gate. While parts are dark, the overall message of these books are about stronger/positive messages such as that of friendship, loyalty and family.
If you enjoy this book, checkout our NoveList K-8 Plus for read a-likes!
Review By: Christina Fitch