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.
Coraline
(2004, Fiction - Horror, Written by Neil Gaiman)Ratings at a Glance
| 40% | of parents say it gives kids positive messages |
| 40% | of parents say it's too violent |
Have you read it? 
Most Recent Reviews
Parent & Educator Reviewers Say | Kid Reviewers Say
- I rate this title on for age 9 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
Much Better Than The Movie
- I rate this title iffy for age 9 and give it
I worry about what my 11 year-old daughter views, but unlike me; she is not as sensitive to certain subjects. At the end of the story my daughter turned to me and said, "That's why I should not go with strangers, even if they promise me good things; like toys or Disneyland." It began a conversation on why she should never talk to strangers. The story was positive for my daughter. If your child is sensitive than it's up to the parent to decide wether or not your child should view it. I was a little surprised with the story, I am somewhat sensitive as a parent; because I over worry.
- I rate this title iffy for age 7 and give it
- My highlights are:
great
this book is sooo great!!! but younger kids that are 1-8 may think it's to creepy, scary, or they just wont understand the book at all. but for kids 9 and up if they like creepy scary books then bye them this book.
- I rate this title on for age 10 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
A liitle scary for grown ups, but a mysterious, exciting, and fun adventure for a child.....especially one a little tired of his parents.
I read it and screamed/gasped at one part. My 8 year old listened to it on CD & my 10 year old read the book (in one day). The 8 year old adored the book. The 10 year old said, "It wasn't scary mom." And this is the kid that runs out of the room during parts of the original Star Trek & Lost in Space series! I personally couldn't put the book down........SPOILER...........Like all the books I've read by Gaiman, this one has a sweet message with a nice ending....unlike scary Stephen King.
Lives in Alabama- I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it
Excellent for myself and my 5 and 6 y.o.
I read this myself first to make sure it would be alright and enjoyed it very much. I then read it over the course of several nights to my rather sensitive 5 year old son and 6 year old daughter. I planned the readings so we would end on "happy" parts but they both absolutely loved this book. There were no nightmares. My daughter insists that we read it again and she really liked the character of Coraline. Very well done!
- I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
love the imagination
The author has an amazing imagination and thought the setting was creative. It had some creepy parts to it, but overall, I really enjoyed the book. I can't wait to see the movie!
- I rate this title iffy for age 8 and give it
- I rate this title iffy for age 8 and give it
- I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
loved it
great book . glad it going to be a movie.=]
- I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
Coraline Gives me the Creeps!
In a good way.
This is another fine effort by author Neil Gaiman. I belive it is his first Children's novel. Coraline serves as a warning to the kind of trouble an unattended child (no matter what age) might get into...
The story is a very well written moral tale about an ordinary girl, Coraline, who becomes a heroine exihibiting strength and cleverness in the end.
Parent & Educator Reviewers Say | Kid Reviewers Say
- I rate this title on for age 9 and give it
- My highlights are:
Confusing, but not as scary as the movie
I like it, but it can be confusing for younger kids. Not as scary as the movie. If your kids want to watch the movie, read the book with them first, if they do okay it's probably safe.
- I rate this title on for age 8 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
a great book
this book is great and creepy. and it's not as creepy or scary as the movie. perfect for kids ages 8-12.
- I rate this title iffy for age 7 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- My highlights are:
a question from your younger children and a resposble answer from u!
the book is not as long or as dtailed as the movie is and will be less frightening for kids. If ur child is 6-8 years of age and hasnt really had much exsperense with scary things but then say "mom dad can i watch Coraline the movie?" If your child is 6 or under this should be your answer "no sry u need a little more exsperence with scary things before we let u watch that movie." but if your child is 7 or 8 and they ask this should be your answer shouldent be completly no it should be "well how about u and me read the book together first and if u can handle the book then it should be ok for u to watch the movie". and if your child is 9 this should be your answer "well Coraline isnt that bad so yeah u can watch it but i'm going to watch with u." these are resposible answers to your kids question to make sure they stay happy and nightmare free! PS: also if they watch the movie before reading the book and they liked the movie then they are definetly going to like the book.
- I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
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.
- I rate this title on for age 9 and give it
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!
- I rate this title iffy for age 8 and give it
Out with the old. Half of the new.
Let's face it; CORALINE is just a creepy spin-off of ALICE IN WORNDERLAND. Though this story deals more with family ties and the all-too-subtle differences between good and evil, the similarities are still there. The being said, it's still creepy; but it's an enjoyable kind of creepy. The book's pace moves along evenly, and the illustrations are pretty good. It's not the greatest book ever, but it's good enough.
- I rate this title off for age 16 and give it
Yikes!
SCARY!!!!! *screams*
- I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
Pretty scary but fun book!
It's a pretty awesome book but not such a good story hold up. In the movie they have a creepy doll that holds the story MUCH better. They also have Wybe that weirdo dude. that is a good holder too. The book is scary because of the wicked ''Beldam" and the ghost kiddies. I personly like the movie better for it's AMAZING animation and details. The book is A-OK about a 3.5 star for me.
- I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
Creepy fun!
I liked this book a lot! I can't wait to see the movie. This book is perfectly spooky. A must read.
- I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
SO SO GOOD!!!
One of the greatest books I have ever read. Ever. I'm not kidding. The plot is incredibly unique and therefore sucked me in. I hated It, but loved the way she was described. So creepy!! The only downside to the book is that we never really get to know Coraline, we never get to hear what she is thinking. Thankfully, this authors second childrens book fixes this small flaw. Overall, wonderful book. To scary for kids under 8. I'm very glad it is going to be a movie. If anyone is turned off by it because it is animated, don't be. It is a very interesting take on the surrealism of the whole situation. However, they should have done the real world in live action and Her world in animation. That would have been so cool! OK, I will stop rambling about the movie now and finish this review. Fantastic book for ages 8+. Note: A Lexalolu must read
- I rate this title on for age 9 and give it
Expertly Crafted
I loved this book, it was a master peice. It is a little scary, even i was a little creeped out when i read the cellar chapter. You'll never think of buttons, snow globes, and black cats the same way again1
- I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
REALLY GOOD
At least, it was when I was in fourth grade. It also creeped me out, but I loved it! There isn't anything inappropriate; maybe a swear word, but that is a big maybe. I'm not going to say what part is creepy, because it would kind of ruin the story. : ) Read it!
- I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
Amazing book.
Gaiman has outdone himself. A fantasy novel that most kids 8-10 wouldn't want to read before bed.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
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!!
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
Really good but really weird
I liked Coraline but it was really weird and fantastical. Also there was some scary stuff here and there but this book is only for mature preteens and early teens because of the violence and scary scenes.
- I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it
I love the mouse orchestra!
This book is amazing. I can't believe it only got 3 stars here. It is original, and well written horror, unlike the rest of the #$%& pulp fiction on the market. I think everyone 12 and up should read it.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
I was about to fall of the end of my seat
Kinda creepy but altogether fanasticand beutifuly written a must for any horror or fantasy lover like me.
- I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it
Overall, It just ain't for youngsters!
The Book is meant for mature 9-10 year olds. It is shocking, but not great. I recomend parents to keep away, unless as a read alound. Not good bedtime reading eathier.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
Her
Coraline Book Review I liked this book because it was scary, entertaining, funny, disgusting, and weird. It was weird because when it describes Her she has the longest fingernails in the world, she has button eyes, and she eats bugs. I disliked it because it didn’t give good definition of the character. My favorite character is the black cat because he is clever, funny, helpful, and can talk in Her world. My favorite part was when Coraline throws the cat a Her and she gets all scratched up and Coraline gets away.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
A Great Book
I thought Coraline was very good. I Loved The Black And White Illustrations By Dave McKean. The Ended Was Not The Best, But You Should Read It.
- I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it
Don't read coraline before bed!
Coraline was a very creepy but very good. There was some violence including chopping rats heads' off,and slaming someones hand in a door. But i liked it.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
freaky but suspenseful
I really liked the book but if you can't take scary things I wouldn't recemend it! I also woyldn't recemend reading it at night! Well this book is about this girl named Coraline who's parents ignore her a lot I don't think she feels very loved. But then her parents get trapped in the world behind the mirror and there is a bedlam tring to make her stay with her forever, and sew button eyes on her. But even after Coraline rescues her parents the Bedlam still keeps tracking down Coraline. But Coraline's parents make her fell more loved.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
Wow!
This is a great book (although it is veeeerry creepy!), but you still read it.
- I rate this title off for age 2 and give it
Intensely Creepy
This book was VERY creepy. Need I say more? Characters' souls are stolen and...oh, it's horrible! I hated it.
