 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Coraline
- By Neil Gaiman
- Genre: Horror
Common Sense Media says
Strange, surreal tale sure to creep kids out.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
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.
What's the story?
In Coraline's new house, she discovers a door that sometimes opens onto a brick wall and sometimes doesn't. Venturing through, she discovers a world that mirrors her own, though the mirror is disturbingly distorted. There's more fun and better food, but her parents and neighbors are reflected with troubling differences. Returning to her own home, Coraline finds that her real parents are missing, only appearing in the hallway mirror. With the help of a cat that can talk in the mirror world, Coraline returns to rescue her parents -- as well as the souls of other children that she finds imprisoned in the world through the door -- from the fiendish Other Mother.
Is it any good?
Author Neil Gaiman is well known in the world of adult literature, but this is his first book for children. It's a strange, surrealistic tale, fun for kids who like their stories creepy. The black-and-white illustrations by Dave McKean are correspondingly sinister. Not everything will make sense to young readers, nor will they find the emotional heart that marks children's classics -- but they will find Coraline to be a brave character who uses her smarts to not only save herself, but also others the Other Mother trapped. Plus, the plot rolls along fairly unpredictably -- and with a few good scares. Ultimately, not awe-inspiring, but entertaining enough.
What families can talk about
Families can about scary stories. What makes them fun? Thinking of other chilling tales you've heard, can you think of anything they have in common?
This author often writes for adults. What do you think of him as a children's writer? What makes a book better suited for a kid or an adult? Or do you think this is one that both can enjoy?
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AGE
Really good read!
S-s-s-s-scary!!!
I am now afraid of tunnels and buttons.
Thank you very much.
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AGE
Much Better Than The Movie
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.
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AGE
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.
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Kid, 12 years old
April 14, 2011
AGE
Even Scarier Than The MOVIE!!!
The Beldam looks even scarier than the movie!
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AGE
Best Neil Gaiman Book EVER!
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!
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Kid, 11 years old
June 5, 2011
AGE
I heart 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!
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AGE
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."
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AGE
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!!
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Kid, 10 years old
August 1, 2011
AGE
Excellent book.
If your looking for a horror book besides 'Goosebumps' this is the one. I like the art, the lessons about being brave and such.
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Kid, 12 years old
June 13, 2011
AGE
Scarier than the movie but I love it!!!
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!!!
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| Author: | Neil Gaiman |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Horror |
| Publisher: | HarperCollins Children's Books |
| Publication date: | April 1, 2004 |
| Number of pages: | 162 |
| Hardcover price: | $15.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 8 - 14 |
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