The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman is the 2009 Newberry Award winner. The story is about Nobody Owens, Bod for short. As a toddler, Bod's family was murdered by an unknown man. Bod was the only survivor, escaping to a nearby graveyard. Upon arriving at the graveyard, the ghostly residents decided to take him in. Silas, Bod's self-appointed guardian, redirected "Jack", the man following Bod after murdering his family, to keep Bod safe. So, Bod was raised by Mr. and Mrs. Owens, two loving ghosts who had never had children of their own. Silas, not exactly living, but not exactly dead, was able to leave the graveyard to get food and clothing for Bod. Bod grew up learning the secrets of the graveyard, including how to "fade" and instill fear and even terror in others. Eventually, Bod was allowed to enroll in school. This did not go well for anyone! Bod got himself involved with some school bullies, trying to save their victims from needless beatings, and became a victim himself. Silas decided that Bod should remain in the graveyard until it was safe for him to be among the living. Silas knew that "Jack" was still after Bod, and wanted to protect him as long as possible. Unfortunately, a strange turn of events lead Bod straight into Jack's house!

This was an interesting book. I really liked the way Neil Gaiman developed the characters of Bod and Silas. In the author's note, the author describes some experiences he had as he wrote and researched this book, including a tour of an ancient graveyard in London. It makes me want to visit there, too!

Call it Courage by Armstrong Sperry

Call it Courage by Armstrong Sperry is about Mafatu, a boy who barely survived a canoe accident when he was little - his mother didn't survive. The memories of the accident have haunted him ever since, preventing him from doing the same things as the other boys in his tribe. Mafatu is supposed to be a fisherman, but he can't bring himself to paddle out past the reef. Instead, he does "women work", carving knives, making rope, etc. The other boys ridicule Mafatu, saying he is a coward. One day Mafatu has finally had enough. He takes his dog, jumps in a canoe and paddles off to prove his courage. He travels for days on the ocean, through storms and dehydration, before finally reaching a small island. Mafatu sets up camp there and sets about proving his courage. He kills a hammerhead shark, kills a giant octopus, kills a wild boar, and even escapes a tribe of "man-eating" natives. Once he returns home, Mafatu is given a hero's welcome - he has proven himself to his tribe, his family, and Mafatu.

I really enjoyed this book. It's a Newberry Medal winner that I'd never read before. This is a short book, filled with action and adventure. I felt so sad for Mafatu - no one in his village understood his fears. He finally went out to prove himself to the rest of them, which he did, but at his own expense. Pretty sad.