Gaiman, Neil. 2008. The Graveyard Book. Narrated by: Neil Gaiman. Holland: Midwest Tape, LLC. ISBN 978-0-0615-5189-5
PLOT SUMMARY
This story is about an abandoned baby boy and his rearing by ghosts within a graveyard. The child is left alone in the world due to the death of his family. The child, Nobody Owens, grows up with spiritual abilities afforded him by the spirit world. Nobody's adventures, within this tale, venture back and forth between the realms of the living and the dead.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Evaluation of the audio adaptation elements
*Format: 7 compact discs; vinyl audio CD case packaging.
*Unabridged recording.
*Reader: single narrator, adult, author of the book, and male.
*Sound quality: clear pronunciation, acceptable volume, no static.
*Background effects: musical.
*The reading: the narrator used multiple voices to differentiate multiple characters--often switching from a Scottish to British dialect and from male to female.
*The front and back matter: At the beginning of the tape is a brief introductory of the recording company, the author, the narrator, the original publisher, musical prelude, and the title of the story. Thereafter, the story starts immediately after the statement of the chapter title. At the end of the audio book, a brief authorial biography is stated as well as the publication data and the publishers' web address.
Listening experience: Overall, the listening experience was a great. I loved this story of fantasy. I never heard of a living child being raised by ghosts in a graveyard type concept before. The plot is definitely interesting and creative enough to keep the reader engaged. Readers of the macabre will also enjoy this dark suspense-comedy of sorts. The reader will care about the main character, Nobody Owens, as he grows up in the presence of ghosts and as they follow the suspense about Nobody's family history/tragedy. The description of the graveyard setting is very vivid and is (of course) an integral part of the story. The theme of good triumphing over evil is definitely clear but it shows a sacrifice of friendship over the choices made--between Nobody and his friend Scarlett--which mirrors some of real life conflicts over lost friendships, etc. due to the choices we make. The style consistently engages the reader to believe in the fantasy world, as well as the author's animated vocal framework. Lovers of Harry Potter, and the like, will also enjoy this dark fantasy.
REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL review: “Among a multigenerational cast of characters from different historical periods that includes matronly Mistress Owens; ancient Roman Caius Pompeius; an opinionated young witch; a melodramatic hack poet; and Bod's beloved mentor and guardian, Silas, who is neither living nor dead and has secrets of his own. Aside from these small flaws, however, Gaiman has created a rich, surprising, and sometimes disturbing tale of dreams, ghouls, murderers, trickery, and family.”
KIRKUS Review: “Wistful, witty, wise—and creepy. This needs to be read by anyone who is or has ever been a child.”
CONNECTIONS
Gaiman, Neil. The Neil Gaiman Audio Collection [Unabridged](Audio CD). ISBN 0060732989
Gaiman, Neil. Coraline: The Graphic Novel. Illustrated by Craig Russell. ISBN 0060825456
Awards
Newbery Medal
Boston Globe-Horn Book Award Honor Book
Hugo Award
Locus Award
Best Indie Young Adult Buzz Book
Audiobook of the Year
ALA Notable Children’s Book
ALA Best Book for Young Adults
ALA Booklist Editors’ Choice
Horn Book Fanfare
Kirkus Reviews Best Children’s Book
Time Magazine Top Ten Fiction
Cooperative Children’s Book Center Choice
New York Public Library’s 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing
New York Public Library Stuff for the Teen Age
Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children’s Book Award (Vermont)
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Johnson, Angela. 2004. The First Part Last. Narrated by: Khalipa Oldjohn and Kole Kristi. New York: Random House Audio Publishing Group. ISBN 1400090652
PLOT SUMMARY
This story is about a teen, Bobby and his girlfriend--Nia--and their struggle with teenage pregnancy issues, as well as single parenting. The main character, Bobby, expresses his feelings prior to, during, and after certain events in the story. The reader sees mainly through his perspective.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Evaluation of the audio adaptation elements
*Format: two compact discs; vinyl audio CD case packaging.
*Unabridged recording.
*Reader: two narrators, young adult male and female.
*Sound quality: pronunciation was clear, acceptable volume, no static.
*Background effects: music is played intermittently.
*The reading: the narrator used strong language throughout the story--urban sounding and heavy use of colloquial ethnic language.
*The front and back matter: At the beginning of the tape is a brief introductory of the recording company, the author, the narrators, and the title of the story. Thereafter, the story starts immediately after the statement of the chapter title. At the end of the audio book, a brief authorial biography is stated as well as the publication data and the purchasing information about the audio book. In addition, an advertisement is voiced about audio books in general and the benefits of use.
Listening experience: Overall, the listening experience was a mediocre. I thought the use of profanity was overdone. A few choice words here and there would have gotten the point across. I cringed after hearing it numerous times but then it became annoying. I was not a fan of the narrator. However, I did like the fact that young adults were used to vocalize the story--which does reflect the way children think and talk at that age and stage of life. The emotional growth and internal struggle of the main character, Bobby, was apparent and crucial to this story. The plot was true to life, gritty, and engaging. There was plenty of action throughout this story: from the main character going to jail, the eclampsia-induced irreversible coma of Bobby's girlfriend, Nia; adoption issues; familial conflicts; and teenage single parenting. The depiction of the setting is of a contemporary urban neighborhood and the description is very believable. There are traces of didacticism within the theme (i.e., pregnancy prevention through use of birth control and consequences of teen pregnancy), with noticeable landmarks of teens emerging into adulthood. For instance, Bobby faces the consequences of his actions (i.e., refusing giving his daughter up for adoption) and resolves to move and raise his daughter in another city. Overall, this story reflects real people and problems that the reader can connect with...either directly or indirectly.
REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
BOOKLIST review: “Johnson makes poetry with the simplest words in short, spare sentences that teens will read again and again.”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL review: “Up-Brief, poetic, and absolutely riveting, this gem of a novel tells the story of a young father struggling to raise an infant.”
CONNECTIONS
Johnson, Angela. Sweet, Hereafter (The Heaven Trilogy). ISBN 0689873859
Flake, Sharon. You Don't Even Know Me: Stories and Poems About Boys. ISBN 142310014X
Awards
ALA Michael L. Printz Award
Abraham Lincoln Book Award Master List (IL)
ALA Best Books For Young Adults
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Kinney, Jeff. 2009. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days. New York: Amulet Books. ISBN 0810983915
PLOT SUMMARY
A humorous tale about a boy and his life during the summer. The fantasy graphic novel illustrates the antics of middle-schooler Greg Heffley and his avoidance of outdoor summer activities. As well as, Greg's failed attempts at summer employment and debt repayment.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Greg Heffley is portrayed as narcissistic and quite delusional young middle school student that constantly lies to himself and others. He denies his true feelings, overestimates his abilities, and ultimately tries to get out of doing practically everything. All of the aforementioned describes nearly all of the pre-teen, teenage, young adult population to some extent. Therefore, many a reader will relate to and find commonalities--as well as humor--in the Wimpy Kid Series. This particular one, Dog Days, is the fifth installment of the series. The plot is consistent with the main character and his tasks and is very believable. The setting details are vivid and the illustrations add to and are an integral part of the comedy of the story. As a parent, this story raises a red flag in regards to truthfulness and disrespect of elders. However, this book is one of those guilty pleasures that one sometimes runs across and conjures rationale of certain taboos to allow for guilt-free reading. I was completely stunned at the candidness of the writing for this age group. Nonetheless, I really enjoyed this book and its distinct language of cynicism.
REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY review: “Kinney's gift for telling, pitch-perfect details in both his writing and art remains (such as the cursive script and cutesy content of Mom's photo album captions). No reason to think kids won't devour this book as voraciously as its predecessors.”
CONNECTIONS
Kinney, Jeff. Diary of a Wimpy Kid Do-It-Yourself Book. ISBN 0810979772
Kinney, Jeff. Dog Days (Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series #4) Audio book. ISBN 1440788235
AWARDS
Nickelodeon Kids Choice Award 2010 (Series Awarded)
