Gaiman, N. (2008). The Graveyard Book. New York: HarperCollins Publishers. The book opens to a frightening scene in a house where three people, a family has been murdered. A man named Jack is headed up the stairs to murder the final member, a baby. When Jack arrives to the room at the top of the stairs the baby is gone. Jack doesn't know it but the baby has escaped and headed up the hill to a graveyard. Jack has an unusual ability to smell and believes the baby's smell is headed to the graveyard. The baby is soon discovered by Mrs. Owens and her husband, they along with the other members of the graveyard decide they will protect the baby. After much deliberation, the inhabitants agree that the baby will by named Nobody Owens and be given the Freedom of the Graveyard. His parents will be the childless couple, Mr. and Mrs. Owens and his guardian will be Silas. Silas is a mysterious man that is neither alive or dead, he will be able to protect and care for Nobody moving between the living and the dead seamlessly. The Graveyard Book follows Bod (Nobody) through various times in his childhood. A visitor, a little girl named Scarlett visits the graveyard frequently as her mother sits far off and grades papers. Scarlett and Bod become friends and explore the graveyard together. Scarlett's parents are convinced that Bod is her imaginary friend and tolerate her babblings about him until a fateful day. Bod and Scarlett investigate the oldest tomb in the graveyard which is hidden within a hill. Untold secrets are discovered deep within intricate tunnels and darkness. The children only about 5 at the time are gone for quite a long time and the police are called and Scarlett only visits one more time before she moves away to Scotland. Silas his guardian has to leave for awhile but as promised when he is gone, he will provide a guardian to feed and teach Bod. His part-time guardian is Miss Lupescu a peculiar character that Bod does not care for at first. Miss Lupesca teaches him innumerable ways of the dead and in an unexpected twist not only saves Bod from the ghastly ghouls but reveals she is more than just a odd spinster lady. Bod makes many friends throughout his childhood, Liza Hempstock, a girl burned at the stake for being a witch that resides in the Potter's Field of the graveyard. She too is able to help save Bod from danger after being trapped by two men that want the riches of the oldest tomb. As Bod becomes a teenager, he tries to go to school for awhile but after confronting bullies Silas and he determine maybe traditional schooling is not best for Bod. Bod slowly learns about his true identity and what happened to his family, the graveyard community understands that Jack will be back looking to kill Bod for good. As the story continues Scarlett moves back to town with foggy memories of their childhood. She and her mother are soon befriended by Mr. Frost. Scarlett joins Bod on his quest to find out what really happened to his family and Mr. Frost seems to have the answers they are searching for. Mr. Frost, the tame harmless man is hiding his true identity and Scarlett leads him right to Bod. The Graveyard Book captivates the reader anxiously hoping that Bod is able to outsmart and escape the trap laid out for him. Neil Graiman is a masterful storyteller that slowly unfolds the adventures of Bod with his curious cast of characters. The reader is mesmerized by this remarkable tale, Graiman has created. Graiman has authored many books both for adults, young adults and children. He is an award winning British novelist that is multifaceted and has worked most areas of the entertainment including film and TV. He has a journal on his website with glimpses of his personal life but it probably best suited for a more mature audience.