New York Times’ Review of The Graveyard Book by…
February 14, 2009
Entry Filed under: Neil Gaiman, Newbery, The Graveyard Book. .
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1.
Libby | February 14, 2009 at 7:54 am
what a great review, Monica! Congratulations!
2.
neil gaiman | February 14, 2009 at 8:02 am
Thank you very much, Monica. Not sure what else to say. Just thank you.
3.
Liz B | February 14, 2009 at 8:37 am
I began reading it without looking at the byline and thought “hey this sounds like….is it…..IT IS.”
I’m not sure what I’m more psyched about, the review in the NYT or that it’s YOUR review!
4.
Ed Spicer | February 14, 2009 at 9:51 am
Monica,
Nice job! Congratulations. I notice your review was read by an award winning author!
Cheers!
5.
Sharon Lawler | February 14, 2009 at 10:05 am
Great review! I always enjoy hearing about the interactions between your class and the literature you present to them. I can’t wait to read the book!
6.
Sylvia | February 14, 2009 at 10:11 am
Congratulations, Monica! What a thrill and what a great review!
7.
Lee | February 14, 2009 at 10:19 am
A lovely review which makes me want to read it, and I’m not even a Gaiman fan!
8.
kerry | February 14, 2009 at 10:19 am
Great review, and congrats on appearing in the Times! I have to – not disagree, since I agree completely – but pipe up and say that I think The Graveyard Book is equally “for” grownups as for children. The novel’s conclusion seems to me to have real resonance for both children and adults (and maybe especially for teenagers?) – the themes of growing up, moving on, facing the big world: those really are universals, no?
I’m glad your 4th graders were fine with the first chapter; *I* found it absolutely blood-curdling. I shouldn’t be surprised that nine-year-olds are tougher than I am.
9.
GraceAnne Ladyhawk | February 14, 2009 at 10:23 am
Dear Monica,
Not only a tour de force of reviewing – a small number of words, packed with meaning, analysis, and elegance – but in the NYTimes and appreciated by the author. Brava, brava, brava!
10.
Sara | February 14, 2009 at 10:30 am
An elegant, engaging written review of an elegant, engaging book! Unsurprising, considering the source! And in response to Kerry, I just want to point out that Monica said specifically in the article that it “will entertain people of all ages.” I think her point – a hugely important one considering the post-Silvey discussions about the Newbery – is that it IS for children and NOT just something that pleases adults, or the Newbery committee, or both. I didn’t get any sense that Monica didn’t think it was for grownups or teenagers – and here I completely agree with Kerry, I could see reading this to or with kids of all ages, and I think it’d be particularly great for reluctant readers in middle school and high school – but rather that she was directing addressing the recent worries about whether this recipient of the Newbery as the most “distinguished contribution to children’s literature,” is, in fact, interesting to children. Which is is, tra-la!
11.
EJ | February 14, 2009 at 2:28 pm
Excellent review Monica-and in the NYT!! I plan on sharing your review with my students as I shared the project your students did. I’ve enjoyed “knowing” you long distance for quite some time now – you’ve been a role model for many in- and pre-service teachers.
12.
westword | February 14, 2009 at 7:28 pm
Congratulations, my friend! It is, as GraceAnne says, a remarkable review given the brief and the brevity. You said everything that needed to be said and more. Cheers from down under.
13.
medinger | February 14, 2009 at 7:55 pm
Thanks, everyone! As you can imagine, it was pure pleasure for me to review this book. My first for the Times, but hopefully not my last.
14.
mrspilkington | February 14, 2009 at 9:00 pm
Fantastic review — made me even more eager to read this!
15.
Ebony | February 14, 2009 at 9:56 pm
Congrats, Monica! I hope this is the first review of many more to come!
16.
Laura Goering | February 16, 2009 at 5:14 pm
An excellent review. I loved Coraline and am looking forward to reading this one. And thanks for posting the link on child_lit that led me here!
17.
Nick Glass | February 20, 2009 at 1:03 am
Wonderful review, Monica, and congrats on writing it, too. It is fun following your fandom of this book!
18. Reviews at Edinger House | February 27, 2009 at 9:30 am
[...] Book It was a lengthy process, but worth it in the end. Even the author was pleased! (See here and [...]