The Graveyard Book Graphic Novel: Volume 1

Book review by Michael Berry, Common Sense Media
The Graveyard Book Graphic Novel: Volume 1 Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 9+

Gorgeous adaptation catches all the magic of original novel.

Neil Gaiman, P. Craig Russell Fantasy 2014
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Parents say

age 14+

Based on 2 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this book.

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What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that The Graveyard Book Graphic Novel: Volume 1 is the first half of a comics adaptation of fantasy author Neil Gaiman's award-wining middle grade novel, The Graveyard Book. It begins with the murders of a young family and follows the surviving toddler as he makes his escape to a nearby cemetery, where he's named "Nobody Owens" by the ghosts who live there. Each chapter of this volume presents Nobody with a new adventure, including a trip into an ancient crypt, a kidnapping by a trio of ghouls, and a chance to "dance the Macabray." Although there are some scary and horrific elements, most readers are unlikely to be disturbed, thanks to the warmth and clarity of illustrator P. Craig Russell's layouts and the finishes by six other accomplished artists. There's some vague flirting with a ghost, no swearing, and no use of alcohol, drugs, or tobacco. The first scene -- depicting the killing of Nobody's family -- is the most violent.

Community Reviews

tillie
tillie Adult
September 20, 2017
age 12+

Great, but be aware of images in opening pages.

I'm a bookseller, and I love Neil Gaiman's books, including The Graveyard Book, which I shelve in our Middle Grade section without hesitation. In it, it is implicit in the first couple of pages that a famiy has been murdered, but the language is oblique. The graphic adaptation is very good, but, well, graphic in its visual depiction of the aftermath of the murders. I do recommend it, but I also give a heads-up to preteens.
tristita U.
tristita U. Adult
November 6, 2016
age 16+

Giving my 10.5 year old nightmares - absolutely TERRIFYING opening.

I am not sure how this rated as age 9+. I picked this up at the library for my 10.5 year old, based on the positive, age 9+ reviews from common sense media. I like Neil Gaiman, and thought I'd introduce my daughter to some of his work ( I realize this is an adaptation of his work - my daughter loves graphic novels.). The first page features a bloody knife. The second page features scenes of: a little girl lying in a bed with her throat slit; an adult woman laying in bed with her throat slit, and a man laying face down on the floor, dead, with a knife wound in his back. All three of the scenes are bloody. And bloody terrifying. I had a hard time looking at the images - so you can imagine how my 10.5 year old felt. In hindsight, I should have previewed the book and not given it to her, but as I said, Common Sense Media rated it age 9+-- so when she grabbed it from me at the library I let her run off with it. I agree with many of the reviews on this site and use it often, but I think they COMPLETELY missed the mark on this one. This is a very dark, scary book, appropriate for teenagers perhaps but NOT anyone younger. Unfortunately I am not going to read the book, so I can't give it an accurate overall review (take the 2 star rating with a grain of salt), but I wanted to warn others about the very disturbing, terrifying opening scenes of this book.

This title has:

Too much violence
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What's the Story?

On the night the rest of his family is murdered, a toddler escapes to a nearby cemetery, where he's taken in by the kindly ghosts and other fantastic creatures who live there. Named "Nobody Owens," the boy grows up in the graveyard. His curiosity and restlessness lead him into a series of adventures: Nobody and a female friend enter a hidden crypt and discover what lies beneath a magic hill; he and the ghost of a young witch tangle with a crooked pair of treasure seekers; a band of ghouls kidnaps Nobody and threatens to turn him into one of their kind; and Nobody joins the dead and living alike as they "dance the Macabray."

Is It Any Good?

This graphic novel adaptation by P. Craig Russell (with the assistance of six other accomplished artists) brilliantly redefines the story for a different medium.

The episodic plot is perfect for this kind of collaborative project, with each chapter offering a different look that stills feels part of a unified vision. Rowdy ghouls, ghosts from various eras, a kindly vampire, and a vigilant werewolf are only a few of the supernatural characters depicted with elegance and wit. Readers will want to get their hands on Volume 2 as quickly as possible.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how comics adaptations of novels differ from their source material. What effects can be rendered with illustrations that are more difficult in prose?

  • How do you define a family? What are common characteristics of families of any shape or size?

  • Do you believe in life after death? What approaches do different religions take toward the issue?

Book Details

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