Coraline

I've been dying to read Coraline by Neil Gaiman since seeing the previews for the movie. Of course I wanted to read the book before watching the movie! So I started this little book last night as part of my book selections for the 48HBC.

It was the perfect little ghost story for the dark and stormy night we were having late last night.

This is the story of Coraline, a little girl who is bored to tears with her house, her parents and her neighbors. One day she finds a door that opens to a brick wall, until she finds a magic key that makes the brick wall disappear. After walking through the door she finds a house identical to her own but everything is now wonderful and magical. New parents that want to give her their undivided attention, yummy food, and toys that want to play. Everything seems perfect...until she looks a little closer. Coraline quickly realizes that nothing is as it seems to be in this new world and her other mother wants her to stay forever and ever.

This book is CREEPY with a capital C! The wonderful descriptions call up vivid pictures for the imagination. As I was reading it last night cuddled deep in a blanket I swear I was seeing shadows in corners.

Neil Gaimen is a master storyteller. I loved his book The Graveyard Book and Coraline lived up to it.

I recommend this book to readers 10 and up. I think it's the perfect ghost story to read aloud with your kids during Halloween.

This book is available at the Salmon Public Library for check out.