Title: The Graveyard Book

Author: Neil Gaiman
Copyright: 2008
Publisher: HarperCollins
Reading Level:​ 5.1
Description: suspenseful, exciting, mysterious, extraordinary, imaginary
Suggested Delivery: guided reading
Electronic Resources:

Dancing the Macabray Video

This video creates a visual for students to put a picture to their imagination from the scenes in Chapter 5. 

Orphans in America

This website brings the subject of orphans in the book to the real world with information and facts about orphans in America, orphans overseas, and adoptions. 

ELA Teaching Suggestions:
Key Vocabulary-

Discarnate- not having a physical body

Wreathed-to cover, surround, encircle

Shilling-a former British coin

Wheedling-persuading someone to say, do or give something

Apoplexy-unconsciousness from a cerebral hemorrhage or stroke

Avarice-extreme greed for wealth

Scuttle-to run hurriedly

Tottered-to move in an unsteady way

Obduracy-the state of being hardheaded

Brooch-an ornament fastened to clothing with a pin and catch

Dismal-gloomy

Mausoleum-a building for the burial of important people 

Before- Ask for prior knowledge about orphans and what struggles they think they face.
During- Ask about the famous people that are included in the book and have discussions about them. Also, ask them why they think the author included them in the book.
After- Have students do Reader's Theatre in some of the scenes using accuracy, rate, and prosody.
Writing Activity- Have students write about Nobody's journey through life and how he changed as a character from the beginning of the story to the end.