Coraline

Gaiman, Neil. (2002). New York: Harper Entertainment. 978-0-06-164970-7

PLOT SUMMARY

Coraline is bored too often in her new home. It is summer and she is looking for adventure. When she explores a doorway to another side of the house, she finds herself in an alternate world where her mother is not quite her mother, her father is not quite her father, and there is something very dark and dangerous festering underneath the whole thing.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The story has a spookiness that is attractive to many tweens who might not be quite ready for Twilight. Pacing is quick and characters are quirky, each one with their own idiosyncracies. Coraline is bored at home and dissatisfied with her parents, but she recognizes that they are there for her, and that the gifts she receives from the other parents are not because they want what's best for her. She is also extremely cunning and fearless--qualities that will make readers admire her all the more.

The faux ending is a nice twist that will make readers root even harder for the success of the heroine. She's already been through too much, and once on the other side, in her real home, she must do something to get rid of the disembodied hand of her other mother that keeps coming after her to retrieve the key that will once again open the door to the other side.

READER'S ANNOTATION

When Coraline discovers her alter-family on the other side of a secret doorway, she opens up a world that can potentially end her real family's life, including her own. She must use her brain to outwit the other mother and get back the souls of her parents and the ghost children she meets along the way.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Neil Gaiman has written books for all ages. He has won numerous awards for his comics and novels. In addition to books, he has also written screenplays, poetry, and short fiction.

GENRE

Fantasy

CURRICULUM TIES

English

Compare the book to the movie. What does it take to translate it from print to the big screen?

BOOKTALKING IDEAS

What would you do if boredom drove you to take refuge in another world--one that was like your own, only slightly scarier? What if you had to rescue your parents from this other world, and take with you the souls of the ghost children you just met?

READING LEVEL/INTEREST AGE

8 and over

CHALLENGE ISSUES

Slightly scary for younger readers.

CHALLENGE DEFENSE IDEAS

Understand library policies, know the book and the reasons behind the decision to acquire it.

WHY INCLUDE THIS BOOK?

Great fantasy story that appeals to a wide range in the tween category