Neil Gaiman and Raquel Vazquez Ramil - Coraline

Pros: Engaging central character, well paced, spooky premise
Cons: Too spooky in the execution, too abstract and vague for the 9-12 age group

As a kid, living in the suburbs in a standard suburban house, I thought of how fabulous it might be to live somewhere with a history, with secrets and hidden stairways and doors behind bookcases. Short of figuring a way around child labor laws and ...

Pros: Creepy as hell.
Cons: Prose too simplified for REAL adult enjoyment.

Coraline is an explorer. Problem is, she’s explored everything her new home has to offer. She’s met the neighbors--the Misses Spink and Forcible from downstairs, and the old man upstairs who says he’s forming a mouse band and teaching them to play ...

Pros: Great job of setting up a spooky mood...
Cons: if you haven't heard many spooky tales before and you don't care about character development.

I've been in a writing slump lately, but I have to review Neil Gaiman's Coraline "or else". You see, I have an impatient ten-year-old badgering me to finish the book so that she can read it. The ten-year-old isn't my daughter, but rather, my da ...

Pros: Humorous, intelligent writing, wonderful characters, interesting plot
Cons: None

I'm not the fan type; if I was, though, I'd definitely be a huge fan of Neil Gaiman. I have yet to read a book of his I don't like. Coraline is no exception to that rule. Gaiman said that Coraline is meant to be an adventure book for chil ...

Pros: great heroine, inventive storytelling, soon-to-be classic
Cons: a bit intense for children under 8

Although I haven't read much of Neil Gaiman's work, what I have read I've loved. "Good Omens" (which he co-authored with Terry Pritchard) still has me laughing out loud. Right now I'm an adult going through a period of reading teen and children's...

Pros: Clever title character and truly scary story
Cons: No character buildup...they don't have a past!

I bought this book because of a friend recommending it to me and telling me of a movie being made about the Coraline. It is said that Coraline is suppose to appear as James and the Giant Peach did and I really enjoyed the film. ...

Pros: Excellent story with a strong heroine.
Cons: Seems like a retelling of the Thief of Always by Clive Barker

I was excited to see Neil Gaiman's Coraline in book stores -- for one, it was in both the adult and children's sections, leading me to believe it might be something I could enjoy with my 10-year-old (I couldn't get her to touch it, but that's because she...

Pros: Horror for the little ones without blood, guts or cursing
Cons: I was left wanting more....

I had ordered this book long ago when on a whim I was determined to get all of Gaiman's books.  I noticed that it was a childrens book so I mentally filed it away.  When I saw the advertisements for the movie... I knew that with a 7 year old I ...

Pros: Exciting, no "down time", good for adults AND kids
Cons: Oxford English words and sayings may be confusing

What a bizarre book Coraline is. I bought it on name recognition alone. Neil Gaiman can spin a great yarn when he's on. When he's off, he can border on pretentious (stretches of Sandman come to mind) or can seem like he's trying too hard (American Gods). ...

Pros: Constant action, creepy yet cool.
Cons: The moral/message may be hazy for younger readers.

While anxiously awaiting the fifth installment in the Harry Potter series, I have been trying some other suggestions. Coraline first came into our house as a gift for my brother. Worried that it might be too scary, I decided to read it beforehand -...

Pros: It is not your original book.
Cons: No cons.

Coraline is about a young girl named Coraline who moved to a new house far away from her other house. She was bored on the first day and wanted to play but instead her parents told her to search the house and check it out. Coraline found a door but it ...

Pros: Has all the features of a classic fairy tale or children's fantasy book.
Cons: Might be a little scary for kids. A bit pricey.

I just bought the book today and finished reading it already. I do recommend that you read this book. It is darker than most children's books and perhaps this is it's appeal.

The story seems a little too advanced for this book to be...