Great Middle Grade Reads discussion

The winner of the poll this month was The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman. Like many of you I've had it on my to-read list for a while. It was a close vote, but this was a clear winner.

When you've read it, please leave your comments (wrapping spoilers with 'spoiler' tags) below.

One thing I think we would like to know in your comments is - do you think it was worthy of winning the Newbery Medal?

I hope you enjoy the book.

Sorry for being a little late with the announcement, and we'll try to take on board your ideas for an earlier decision so you have more time to get a copy.

I read this one last year, so details are a bit fuzzy. It's dark and sad and really unique.

I've read a few Newbery's now and this was one of the more worthy titles. I work in a library and recommend the book fairly often to kids who are looking for scary but not TOO scary.

I read it when it was fairly new, and what I most remember from reading it the first time was how disappointed I was that he stayed so close to the original - The Jungle Book. The story felt disjointed and some of the more weird parts were clearly only there because they were in The Jungle Book. Unlike other adaptions of other books I've read this didn't add anything to my understanding of the original story.

I eventually reread it a few years ago and enjoyed it more and could see why everyone loved it. Don't read those books back-to-back! The Graveyard book feels a lot fresher when not compared too closely to the original.

Paula wrote: "I read it when it was fairly new, and what I most remember from reading it the first time was how disappointed I was that he stayed so close to the original - The Jungle Book. The story felt disjoi..."

I didn't know it was an adaptation! I'm kind of sorry I read this--it would have been interesting to see if I got the connection (though I don't think I ever read Kipling's original, and I may not have ever seen the Disney version, either).

I read the book a few years ago and also thought it disjointed and eccentric. I am not sure if I have ever fully watched the Jungle Book, but I didn't see the connection! Maybe I should read it again and see if I like it any better.

I read it a while ago and enjoyed it. I'm not sure about The Jungle Book, but there are some connections to Johnny and the Dead. Gaiman and Pratchett collaborated on other projects.

Rebecca wrote: "Paula wrote: "I read it when it was fairly new, and what I most remember from reading it the first time was how disappointed I was that he stayed so close to the original - The Jungle Book. The sto..."

I wouldn't call Graveyard book an adaption of Jungle Book, but it is a retelling and Gaiman probably didn't take enough liberties with the story. If you never read The jungle book, or haven't read it in a while, you'll probably love Graveyard book. It is a really good story.

Disney's Jungle Book movie is nothing like Kipling's The Jungle Book, but it is a great movie (and a childhood favorite for me). I just have a hard time adjusting to Kipling's wise teacher Baloo turned into a bumbling clown.

I, too, read the Graveyard book some time ago, and while I found some areas of it difficult to accept or to really understand... all in all, it was a story that kept me reading all the way.

I absolutely love The Graveyard Book. I had no idea it is a retelling of the Jungle Book. I would never have made that connection, but now that I'm thinking back, I can see some similarities.

I should add that I hadn't read Jungle Book since childhood and did not make the connection until I read Jungle Book this year.. lol

That may have been why I was able to enjoy it so much.

I keep forgetting to get this one from the library. Making a note right now.

I got my copy, and am reading it now. It's not really my thing in many ways, but it's interesting, and I'm enjoying it. Having been tipped off, I can see the Jungle Book connections in the big sense (one of these days, I will read the Jungle Book).

Finished! That really sucked me in, so that I stayed up to midnight last night finishing it. In the end, I liked it a lot, though it seems pretty scary for kids, and in many ways didn't read to me at all like a children's book.

I particularly liked that the ghosts were the least scary things in the book, though :)

Paula wrote: "I read it when it was fairly new, and what I most remember from reading it the first time was how disappointed I was that he stayed so close to the original - The Jungle Book. The story felt disjoi..."

I have to say that every part that I wondered about at the time--if it was really necessary or if it was what you were referring to when you mentioned things that seemed only in there because he was paralleling the Jungle Book--proved in the end to be an important step in getting Bod ready to do what he had to do in the end. I definitely though the whole thing with the ghouls was too much, but then... :)

Yes, I enjoyed it as well but, like Rebecca, I thought for kids it was rather dark.

I now have my copy from the library. I wish I hadn’t seen the comment about the Jungle Book, which I have read relatively recently, but there you go. :(

I just finished The Graveyard Book, and this was my first time reading the story. Thankfully, I avoided this thread, so I didn't know about Gaiman's homage to Kipling's work. I wasn't looking for allusions, so I settled quickly into the story's pace and enjoyed making discoveries about life and death alongside Bod. My review is here.

I certainly agree that the story is eccentric. And sometimes sad. But moments of charming silliness kept things light ... like the ghouls' ridiculously pompous names for one another, Bod's utter distaste for Miss Lupescu's cooking, and Nehemiah Trot's romantic advice. The ending found me satisfied ... but quietly hopeful that one day, Silas will call for Bod. Because then Mr. Gaiman will treat us to another adventure.

C.J. wrote: "The ending found me satisfied ... but quietly hopeful that one day, Silas will call for Bod. Because then Mr. Gaiman will treat us to another adventure. "

Gotta agree with you there! And I agree that the light moments were wonderful, but wonder if they fully offset the ending, which was pretty intense.

Rebecca wrote: "C.J. wrote: "...but wonder if they fully offset the ending, which was pretty intense."

I felt the tone was consistent. And the ending's intensity gave the story a certain symmetry, for it hearkened back to The Graveyard Book's brutal opening scene.

On a side note, I was quite delighted by the Jacks. Every man Jack of them.

I finished The Graveyard Book yesterday. Had it not been for the comment on here (a bit too early in the month, maybe?) I wouldn't have realised the Jungle Book connection.

I read JB for the first time within the last five years (a Classic MG Book reading challenge) and enjoyed it, but found it different from what I expected (I've not seen the film all the way through, only all the song clips many times!) The only things I noticed that related to it were the overall 'orphaned child brought up by x' plot, and the ghoul-gate sequence, which reminded me of the monkeys.

So I found it fresh, interesting, and eventually gripping, since having got to halfway I couldn't stop. I'm in the middle of editing at present, and reading this beautifully descriptive world had me tearing my hair out at my editor for deleting my descriptions, telling me it slowed the action. Mine may have done, of course, and it may be I didn't get the atmosphere I was aiming for, but I'm planning to put a lot back in, now!

I was dubious whether the Graveyard Book would either live up to all those prizes and nominations gained. Often I haven't liked 'highly praised' books, but this one lived up to everything, and possibly exceeded it, for me. I'd even go so far as putting into the shortlist of my books of the year! Maybe :)

I'm a little late posting and reading this one! I saw the comment about the inspiration coming from The Jungle Book and decided to read that one first since I never had and compare the two. I saw the parallels that others pointed out and thought that was interesting. The story itself I enjoyed and the ending was bittersweet. It reminded me of so many other stories with the classic plot of orphaned child growing up to get vengeance on the killer of his parents. Like most of the other children of this type of plot, he didn't actively seek it out, but the enemy brings on his own downfall.

I'm finally catching up on my book reviews and comments (something I'm forcing myself to do before I start another book). I really liked this book, for me. I think Neil Gaiman did an excellent job weaving in all aspects of the undead and afterlife and his voice was perfect for the narration. However, I didn't feel it was middle-grade. Maybe upper middle-grade. It was scary and some of the scene would be too much for younger readers.