The Graveyard Book

Gaiman, N., &McKean, D. (2008). The graveyard book. New York: Harper Collins Pub.

Summary: 

Nobody “Bod” Owens has grown up in the graveyard after his parents are killed and he is adopted by ghosts as a baby. For the past 13 years he has been granted Freedom of the Graveyard, which allows him to pass through objects, roam the graveyard when he pleases, and been under the protection of the dead. Bod’s parents killer has been searching for him since the day he got away and it is up to the living and the dead to work together to help Bod find his family’s killer.

Evaluation Criteria:

Setting: The setting of this book sets the stage and mood for the overall book. Nobody Owens calls the graveyard his home when others would not think twice to be there. The author  describes the graveyard as dark and isolated and the use of illustrations  using shadows in the graveyard help set the mood. The author is able to use words and language to help describe items and scenes as being filled with cobwebs and dust. The graveyard is described as having grassy hills, except the area where Bod cannot go he describes as being abandoned, dark, and full of weeds.

Characters: Nobody “Bod” Owens is a relatable, young protagonist who has grown up in a graveyard as an orphan. Readers see that he is a curious and inquisitive child that grows into a mature young man.  He is raised by ghost, vampire, and a werewolf and can communicate with the dead., move through walls, and is invisible to most humans while in the graveyard. He is a likeable character that most readers may grow fond of because of his story and readers may feel empathy towards him. Bod often feels lost like most children do at some point in their lives as readers see him struggle to be among the dead and the living.  

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Rapunzel's Revenge

Hale, S., & Hale, D. (2008). Rapunzel’s revenge. New York, N.Y.: Bloomsbury.

Summary: When Rapunzel finds out that she was kidnapped as a baby, the woman, Gothel, who has been pretending to be her mother locks her in a tall tower away from where others can find her. Rapunzel is able to free herself  and learns that Gothel has caused turmoil across the land. Rapunzel along with her new associate, Jack, set out to help Rapunzel seek revenge, battle evil, and save her mother.

Evaluation Criteria:

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Theme: A theme expressed in Rapunzel’s Revenge is a true good versus evil storyline when Rapunzel has to defeat Mother Gothel. After Rapunzel learns the truth about her mother she is devastated and hurt and informs Gothel that she no longer wants to live with her, but wants to be with her real mother. She goes on a journey to find her real mother and along the way completes good deeds.

—Plot: Most readers are familiar with the Rapunzel story however this one has a modern twist. Rapunzel still uses her long hair to escape the tower she is locked in to free herself from Mother Gothel. She is able to overcome the obstacles in her way like defeating bank robbers and kidnappers in order to get back together with her mother.