Usually a Newberry Medal winner is very good, but this book was terrific. Neil Gaiman has this incredible way of creating these dark worlds that are somehow still silly, humorous, and playful. Having read a number of his other books, I believe this to be one of his best.
Nobody Owens (also known as Bod) lives in a Graveyard where he escaped as an infant after his parents were murdered by a man called Jack. His guardian is neither living nor dead and lives in the in-between; plus he sleeps in a tomb and has been given the freedom of the graveyard by all the ghosts that call the cemetery home. Bod doesn't attend a convectional school because Jack may still be after him. Instead, the ghosts in the graveyard teach him different histories and subjects, giving him an unusual perspective on life. Unfortunately, this has meant a sad and lonely life for Bod, and he yearns for some human companionship.
That's when Bod decides he wants to go to school and all sorts of wild adventures befall him. Jack knows Bod must be in the area somewhere- he can sense it. He knows he is close to finding Bod, the infant who got away, and will not rest until he finds him.
All I have left to say about this book is that it is magical, unusual, imaginative and exciting. I loved it!
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