Coraline, by Neil Gaiman (Graphic Novel)

Bibliographic Information:
Gaiman, N. (2008). Coraline, the graphic novel, adapted and illustrated by P. Craig Russell. HarperCollins Children's Books. ISBN: 9780060825430

Book Awards:
(For the original Coraline)
2003 Hugo award for Best Novella
2003 Nebula award for Best Novella
2003 Bram Stoker Award
2003 Locus Award
2003 British Science Fiction Award
(For the graphic novel)
2009 Locus Award
2009 Eisner Award

Plot Summary:
Coraline is a somewhat discontented young lady, with somewhat busy parents. They move into an apartment in a huge old house with a huge old garden, and Coraline is happy to explore and meet her new neighbors. One rainy day, prevented from going out into the garden, she sets out to map her apartment, and finds a door that goes nowhere--it opens onto a brick wall! Another day, however, it opens onto a black hallway, and Coraline bravely goes in. When she opens the door on the other side, she is astonished to find her own apartment, with her own parents. These parents are exactly the same except that they have black buttons for eyes and they pay attention to her and give her what she wants. Her "other mother" urges her to stay forever, but Coraline goes back through the door and home, only to find that her real parents have been "parent-napped" into the mirror! Now Coraline must go back to her other mother and find a way to free them.

Critical Evaluation:
The realistic, eerie drawings lend a full measure of creepiness to this already creepy tale. There are two worlds in this book: the real world and the "other" world. Russell's drawings somehow make even bright sunny days in the real world feel a little ominous. This is a story of growing up and learning to accept one's parents' flaws, and Coraline is a brave and determined character. Her friendship with the cat, her compassion for the ghost children and the other mother's creatures, and her love for her parents all combine to make the reader like her despite her adolescent self-centeredness.

Reader's Annotation:
Coraline finds another world where her parents pay attention to her, and her room is a girl's dream. Will she stay there? Is everything as wonderful as it seems?

About the Author:
Neil Gaiman was born in November i 1960, and grew up in England. He began his literary career as a journalist and book reviewer. He wrote short stories and comics, including the popular Sandman series. He went on to write children's books as well as adult books. He currently lives in New York city.

About the Illustrator:
P. Craig Russell was born in Ohio in 1951. He began publishing comics at the age of 21, and has won many awards, including the Harvey and Eisner awards. He was the first mainstream comic creator to be openly gay.

Genre:
Fantasy/Horror

Curriculum Ties:
Art

Booktalking Ideas:
What if a different mother gave you everything you ever wanted?

Interest Age:
10+

Challenge Issues:
None.
However, if a challenge should occur,
Read the book! Urge parent to do the same. Cite awards and reviews. Refer to collection development policy. If dispute continues, parents' wishes regarding their own children will be respected.

Reason Included:
This book won so many awards, and then won some of them again as a graphic novel! I had to see what the fuss was about.