THE GRAVEYARD BOOK by Dave McKean

1. 
   
   1.  Bibliography

Gaiman, Neil. 2008. The Graveyard Book. Ill by Dave McKean. New York: Harper Collins. ISBN 9780060530945

2. Plot Summary

When still only a toddler, Nobody Owens (Bod for short) escaped the murderous grasp of the frightening villain, the man Jack. Taking pity on this helpless and now orphaned child, the Graveyard takes Bod under its protection where he is raised by Silas, the mysterious graveyard caretaker, and a doting ghostly couple, Mr. and Mrs. Owens. As Bod grows up he seeks to find out more about his past and find his place in the world.  But, before he can leave the safety of the Graveyard, he first must learn to navigate the foreign world of the living and defeat the deadly murderer, the man Jack.

3. Critical Analysis

Gaiman opens his darkly humorous and touching tale of a young man coming of age with the riveting opening line, “There was a hand in the darkness, and it held a knife.” From this compelling opening to the last line of the novel, Gaiman masterfully guides readers through Bod Owens' unorthodox upbringing. Surrounded by ghosts, ghouls, and caretakers who belong to neither the world of living nor the dead, Bod grows up with everything a boy needs. His ghostly parents give him love and guidance. Silas provides him with food, clothing and advice. The Graveyard protects him from the ever searching eye of the man Jack. And Bod finds friends and companions among the various ghostly residents of the ancient cemetery. But, as all children know, one cannot live forever under the protective gaze of one's guardians. One day he must be brave enough to go out and face his life and make his own adventures. That is exactly what Bod sets out to do. Gaiman's unorthodox tale of growing up and letting go will resonate with readers of all ages.

Dave McKean's illustrations are sprinkled throughout the novel, highlighting key events in the story and bringing the world of Bod's graveyard home to life. His slanting lines and slightly distorted depictions of characters and events add to the sense of the macabre that go with Bod living among the dead and dealing with demons and ghouls as part of everyday life. They add to the wonderful atmosphere of Neil Gaiman's masterful writing.

4. Awards and Review Excerpt(s)

*Newbery Award

*Carnegie Medal

*Hugo Award

*Locus Award

*ALA Notable Children's Book

*ALA Best Book for Young Adults

*Starred review in Kirkus: “Wistful, witty, wise—and creepy. This needs to be read by anyone who is or has ever been a child.”

*Starred review in Booklist: “An utterly captivating tale…this is a rich story with broad appeal and is highly recommended for teens of all ages. ”

*Starred review in KLIATT: “Gaiman has a true gift for narrative and a delightfully light touch, and there are humorous details along with spine-chilling ones. YAs will race through this fine tale and enjoy every magical, creepy moment.”

5. Connections

*Bod Owens is told to stay away from the edge of the graveyard where the less desirable ghosts are buried. Wanting to understand these mysterious ghosts better, Bod find himself befriending the witch buried at the edge of the graveyard, Liza Hempstock. He recognizes her basic humanity and gains an unshakable friend in the process. Relate Bod's experience to your own personal experience.  Talk about a time when you may have befriended someone who on the outside didn't look or act according to social norms. What did you learn about that person? What did you learn about yourself? If you haven't had this experience, consider befriending someone outside of your normal comfort zone and see what happens.

*While attending public school Bod must learn to deal with bullies. Talk about Bod's solution to stop bullying in his school. Did he handle the situation in the right way? What would you do the same and what would you do differently? Talk about bullying in your school. What can you do to stop any bullying issues that might be happening around you?

*Other books by Neil Gaiman

Coraline. ISBN 0380807343

M is for Magic. ISBN 0061186473

Odd and the Frost Giants. ISBN 0061671738

Stardust. ISBN 0062200399

THE SCORPIO RACES by Maggie Stiefvater

1.  
   
   1.  Bibliography

 Stiefvater, Maggie. 2011. The Scorpio Races. New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN 9780545224901

2. Plot Summary

Last fall Puck (Kate) Connolly and her two brothers were suddenly orphaned when their parents were killed by the wild Capaill Uisce water horses during a fishing trip. The orphaned siblings have been struggling to make ends meet ever since. Puck has never gone to the Scorpio Races, but this year she joins them. She must win the race to save her home, keep what is left of her family together, and ensure her place on the wild and unforgiving island she loves.

Sean Kendrick was orphaned when his father was killed by the deadly water horses during a Scorpio Race. Since that fateful race Sean has ridden in the Scorpio Races on his stunning Capaill Uisce, Corr, because he can't image doing anything else. This time, however, is different. This year he races for the right to own his beloved horse and gain his independence from the manipulative Mr. Malvern. As Sean and Puck both race for survival they learn the true meaning of home, family and love.

3. Critical Analysis

Set in a world that is both strange and familiar, Stiefvater sets her timeless story of courage, perseverance, and claiming one's own destiny in an alternate reality. Stiefvater weaves the familiar with the magical as she tells a tale of a dangerous race held since before remembered history, the Scorpio Races.  Each Fall the inhabitants of Thisby must capture and subdue the dangerous aquatic predators known as Capaill Uisce, and race them. Stiefvater uses these horses and the races they inspire as the catalyst for her compelling tale of one young man finding the strength to give up everything he knows in order to have the opportunity to have everything he dreams for, and of one young woman's desperate attempt to hold her family together against all odds. Readers will identify with this story of growing up and finding a place in the world. This is a wonderful book for those who enjoy horse stories, love stories, fantasy stories, and stories of human triumph.

4. Awards and Review Excerpt(s)

*Mythopoeic Fantasy Award Finalist

*Horn Book Best Books

*School Library Journal's Best Books of the Year

*Michael L. Printz Award Honor

*NCTE/CLA Notable Children's Book in the English Language Arts

*Westchester Fiction Award

*Starred review in Kirkus: “[A] taut, chilling, romantic adventure....Masterful. Like nothing else out there now.”

*Starred review in The Horn Book: “Stiefvater masterfully combines an intimate voice (think I Capture the Castle) with a fully evoked island setting with sensory-rich language (think Margo Lanagan) with a wealth of horse detail with a plot full of danger, intrigue, and romance. ... Stiefvater sets not one foot wrong as she takes readers on an intoxicating ride of their own. ... Stiefvater’s novel begins rivetingly and gets better and better…all the way, in fact, to best.”

*Starred review in Booklist: “A book appealing to lovers of fantasy, horse stories, romance, and action-adventure alike, this seems to have a shot at being a YA blockbuster.”

5. Connections

*Puck loves her horse, Dove, and spends a great deal of time caring for her. Take a page from Puck's book and learn more about horses.  Find out about the different breads and what it takes to care for a horse. You can start your research by checking out several books about horses from your local library.

*Sean Kendrick comes from a long line of Capaill Uisce racing experts. It seems to be a multi-generational family trait.  Find out about your own family and see if there are any special qualities or traits which seem to follow down with each generation. Celebrate this quality by creating a piece of artwork or by writing a poem about it. Share it with your family.

*The Connolly children have to work very hard to support themselves after the deaths of their parents. To better understand their struggle learn about what it takes to financially run a household. You can ask your parents or another respected guide to show you how they manage finances. You might even try coming up with a personal budget to practice managing your own money better.

LUNCH LADY AND THE LEAGUE OF LIBRARIANS by Jarrett J. Krosoczka

1. 
   
   1.  Bibliography

Krosoczka, Jarrett J. 2009. Lunch Lady and the League of Librarians. New York: Alfred A. Knopf. ISBN 9780375846847

2. Plot Summary

While eagerly anticipating the release of the new X-Station 5000 game station and the upcoming read-a-thon, the Breakfast Bunch and Lunch Lady sense that something is wrong with their normally genial school librarians. To their horror they uncover a dastardly plot by the League of Librarians to destroy all of the X-Station 5000 game systems and gain world domination. Lunch Lady, with the help of the Breakfast Bunch, must use her crime fighting skills to put a stop to their evil plans, keep the X-Station 5000s from certain destruction, and save the read-a-thon before it is too late!

3. Critical Analysis

Young readers will never look at school the same way after reading Krosoczka's delightful Lunch Lady graphic novel series. Readers soon learn that looks can be deceiving as they join in the crime fighting escapades of Lunch Lady and her unexpected student sidekicks, the Breakfast Bunch. In Krosoczka's graphic novels, Lunch Lady is “Serving Justice! And serving lunch!” Krosoczka reminds readers in a delightfully energetic, creative, and action packed way that even the most humble of people have great potential for becoming extraordinary.   Using average kids and a hero taken from a typically unglamorous profession, he weaves a tale of action adventure and brave crime fighting to rival any classic comic book super hero.  His sparse color pallet and his ability to capture movement and action in his art work make this graphic novel irresistible to young readers.  They will find themselves compelled to read to the end of this nail biting adventure in a single sitting.  Parents and children will love this new action hero, and learn that anyone can make a difference for good.

4. Awards and Review Excerpt(s)

*Winner 2010 Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices

*School Library Journal: “With its appealing mix of action and humor, this clever, entertaining addition to the series should have wide appeal.”

5. Connections

*Make your own Lunch Lady adventure. Come up with a crime fighting adventure for Krosoczka's delightful hero, Lunch Lady. Draw your own pictures and write some text to tell your story. Share your story with a friend, your family, or your class.

*In Lunch Lady and the League of Librarians, the normally friendly and helpful librarians are driven to a life of crime because of drops in enrollment in their wonderful programs. Prevent such a terrible turn of events in your own community by finding out what programs and activities your local library offers and give them a try. You might even go the extra mile and invite a friend or two to join in the library fun with you.

*More graphic novels for children:

Holm, Matt. Babymouse #1: Queen of the World!. ISBN 0375832297

Cammuso, Frank. Knights of the Lunch Table: No. 1 (The Dodgeball Chronicles). ISBN 043990322X

Runton, Andy. Owly, Vol. 1: The Way Home & The Bittersweet Summer. ISBN 1891830627

Faller, Regis. The Adventures of Polo. ISBN 1596431601