The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

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Publication Information: New York: HarperCollins 2008. 368 p.

Reading Level: Older Kids
Min./Max. Grade Level: 6 - Adult
Lexile: 820

Newbery Medal 2009
USBBY Outstanding International Book 2009
ALA Notable Children's Book 2009
Booklist Editor's Choice 2008

Booklist, vol 105, number 2, p54
School Library Journal, vol 54, issue 10, p144
Publishers Weekly, vol 255, issue 39, p82
Kirkus Reviews, August 15, 2008

After his family is murdered a 18-month-old baby boy crawls to a nearby graveyard. Sensing he is alone and orphaned, the graveyard's colorful inhabitants take on the responsibility of teaching Nobody Owens (Bod) the ways of the world - both living and dead.

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Looking for Alaska by John Green

Image from B&N

Publication Information: New York: Dutton Children's Books 2005. 237 p.

Reading Level: Teens
Lexile: 930

Michael L. Printz Award 2006
YALSA Best Books for Young Adults 2006
Kentucky Bluegrass Award 2006
School Library Journal's Best Books 2005

School Library Journal, vol 51, issue 2, p136
Publishers Weekly, vol 252, issue 6, p58
Kirkus Reviews, March 1, 2005

Miles Halter leaves his boring life in Floria for a boarding school in Alabama. His is on his own for the first time and ready for adventure. His roommate "the Colonel" and his best friend, Alaska, teach Miles to drink and play elaborate pranks. We see foreshadowing of Alaska's death from the beginning and after she drives drunk and crashes into a police car, Miles and the Colonel debate whether or not it was a suicide.

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