The Graveyard Book

This is one of the great books of children's literature (although in truth it can be read by anyone of any age) and in years to come will be seen as a classic to stand alongside, Kipling, Garner, CS Lewis and the rest.

The story of a child, who by tragic means, comes to be raised by the ghostly inhabitants of a graveyard on a hill in a small town. He's adopted by a couple who had died childless and they give him a name - Nobody Owens (Bod for short).

And so begins a tale of a boy like no other, who has ghosts for parents, and another inhabitant of the graveyard as his guardian, the mysterious Silas, who only comes out at night....

It's a tale about growing up. About learning that there is more to life than the home you have always known. About standing up to bullies and danger and those who would wish us harm. Bod learns all he needs from the graveyard community and in the end, they help him defeat his greatest foe.

A moving tale, scary in parts, funny in parts. But never less than magical. Gaiman's prose is economical and elegant, moving the story along while giving us just enough detail so our imaginations fill in the blanks. And the are some rather brilliant illustrations by Chris Riddell.

Recommended for children of any age (9 to 90).