I was really surprised when I saw that The Graveyard Book won the Newberry award. Is it really OK for kids? Has anyone read it to their kids? What ages?

I heard good things from another mother - she said she couldn't put it down. Her daughter is 7 but her son is 11 so I'm not sure who the book was for. It does give you a range though =)

I can't wait to read The Graveyard Book! I'm going to read it first to see if it's ok for my 8 year old son.

I'm reading it now. It's okay so far. I like the dark mood of the book and the characters are interesting. I'm not sure if I'm far enough into it to get a good grasp on it. I'll see how it goes and let everyone know.

As an adult, I really liked it but would hesitate to give it to younger readers. I found it in my middle school library and I really think it's more for older adolescents through adults. I objected to the opening chapter depicting the murder of the family - the villain wiping his dripping knife is a little too graphic in my opinion for young readers. As a 6th grade teacher, I think my students are exposed to enough violence as it is without having a "kids" book opening with it. I'm sorry it won the Newbery because many school libraries will just automatically purchase it without really thinking about the age of their readers.

I went out and bought it because of the hype and because I try to pick up any Newberry award winner I find the least bit interesting. It is vivid, but I honestly was more disturbed by Bridge to Terebithia.

I don't know, I wanted to love it, I really did. I just felt that the plot had to try way too hard. Not sure if anybody gets what I mean...but...I'm not sure how else to describe it. It was a great idea, maybe I just need to reread one of these days.

Wow, thanks everyone! I think I'm going to give it a miss based on everyone's comments. Maybe in a few years.

I agree with you, Deb. There's enough violence elsewhere that I don't need it in the opening of a kids book. But I'm a bit sensitive to violence and blood.

I really liked it. The audio version is great!

The only word I could use to describe it was "different". After my assistant read it we talked about it a bit more and then did a bit of research on various things in the book, and they all turned out to be referring to English (as in England) things, so I wondered how many American kids would get it, 'cause it made a lot more sense to me after I knew that. We did not purchase it for our K-6 building, but do have it in our 7-12 building.