Parents need to know that this story is pretty creepy, and that they should take caution with sensitive kids: The central adventure is about a girl trying to save herself, her parents, and other trapped souls from the Other Mother in a secret world. But this is a good choice for kids who want horror and whose parents would prefer it be well-written and not too gruesome. Coraline discovers a dark world crawling with rats, spiders, strange creatures, and others spookiness -- but through her creepy adventures she also discovers her own inner bravery.
Educational value:This is a book that will certainly push kids' imaginations. The publisher has put out a nice reading guide for parents and teachers who want to analyze the plot more closely. Our "Families Can Talk About" section can give you some other ideas for sharpening those critical-thinking skills.
Positive messages:Coraline finds the brave person inside of her -- and also learns to appreciate her own family. Toward the end of the book, she even says "I don't want whatever I want. Nobody does. Not really. What kind of fun would it be if we just got everything we wanted? Just like that, and it didn't mean anything. What then?"
Positive role models:Coraline is a pretty relatable character -- she gets bored, is picky about food, etc. -- but ultimately she acts bravely and uses her smarts to not only save herself but also others the Other Mother trapped, including her parents.
Violence:A rat is decapitated by a cat. Coraline is chased by weird creatures. There are lots of rats, spiders, clammy rooms, mysterious threatening beings, and other typical haunted house elements.
perfect for teens and people who like a little scare
This book is full of haunted scary ideas and is a strange book. Like there is mysterious creatures and beings. This is a scary adventure book. Would not recomend for kids under 12.
This story is better than the movie because Coraline is not enticed into the fantasy world her "other mother" has created where everything has buttons for eyes. Somewhat creepy of a theme, but the story is told very well. The vocabulary and themes are on-par and the creativity of the storyline is impressive. Just be aware that it is a dark storyline, where good overcomes in the end.
Good book? Heck YEAH! But appropriate for an 8-year-old kid? Probably not. It's pretty creepy, enough to give a scare-seeker an opressive fear of tunnels for weeks afterwards. So I'd say, if your kid is very mature, maybe eight, but probably should be nine or ten. There's not much of a message, positive or otherwise, so don't get this if you think it might be educational.
you will never think of buttons in the same way again!
i LOVED this book but dont read it at night its REALLY creeeepy and kindof disturbing yet awesome. there was just this one part that scared me half 2 death: when Coraline went through the trap door and found the banished Other father...(shiver) i dont even wanna write about that scene, so go read it 4 urself lol. i didnt like how the author never really wrote about how Coraline felt, so i got the feeling that she was just calm throughout the whole thing...i would have been terrified to if i was her. i liked how he used marbles to symbolize the souls of the imprisoned children though. there was something special about the first marble, read carefully about the boy child to figure it out. the picture on the cover is also kindof creepy if u look close. i spent like 5 minutes just staring at it b4 i even started the book! this book was VERY freaky and kinda scary but just the right amount of depth. i liked the illustrations cuz they were so different than how i pictured things. overall, one word describes Coraline: FREAKISHLYAWESOMETASTICSPOOKYLICIOUS!!
This book is AMAZING!Some parts are a little creepy (other mother right hand!), but its a really great book!
The plot is very intresting and the charecters are very smart. You must read this book!
I luv this. I recently checked it out of my local library. Coraline is pretty much a good role model since she goes through anything and everything to save her parents. The cat is also good, since any other one would just sit around and wait for *SPOILER* Coraline to be killed and eaten. Coraline learns to appreciate her parents. Yeah, the book is great, but kind of spooky when you consider that the "other" father *SPOILER* is manipulated to try to kill coraline. Thanks for reading!
Well I wouldn't want to say this is a book for 8 year olds either because you turn 8 when you are in 2nd grade, even 2nd graders would be afraid of the book and the movie. I read the book and I watched the movie, Just want to let you know this is too scary for kids under 10 so 4th graders can read this book, 3rd graders can but they will be too scared. But I love Coraline!!!
An oddly twisted dark tale, great for older kids and tweens!
I picked up this book at a Target store after seeing the trailer of Coraline in some movie. I finished it quickly--in a day or so. I loved it! Although the movie was awesome, I like how the book was set in modern-day England instead of Washington, U.S. It had a unique, Tim Burton-ish feel to it that made it feel cool and creepy but believable. Coraline was very resourceful and kind and is a good role model to not only girls but to boys as well. The messages of to be careful what you wish for and to be happy what you have are positive. This book got me hooked on other books of Neil Gaiman, like The Graveyard Book and Stardust. A fresh, enjoyable read with a twist.
I think it really depends on your child when they should read it.
Before the film came out, on my little girl's 5th birthday, we read the book together. I had actually bought the book when I was dating my wife. Children do not see it as scary as adults see it. In fact, they see it as a wonderful adventure, where it gives some adults nightmares. I think the quote at the beginning of the book, describes it the best; "It's not that we teach children that dragons are real, but we teach them dragons can be defeated."
Loved it. It is very creepy though, so don't read at night. Also younger children should NOT read it. Please wait until at least 10, 11 or 12 preferably. There isn't really any violence or romance, but lots of adventure that will tell kids to "be strong". The pictures also really go with all of the details of the author, so children under the age of 10 should talk to an adult while reading it.