87 pages 2 hours read

Neil Gaiman

Coraline

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2002

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Introduction

Coraline

  • Genre: Fiction; middle grade horror/fantasy
  • Originally Published: 2002
  • Reading Level/Interest: Lexile 740L; grades 4-7
  • Structure/Length: 13 chapters; approx. 208 pages; approx. 3 hours, 35 minutes on audio
  • Protagonist and Central Conflict: When Coraline first discovers an entryway into another house with other parents who are strangely similar to her own, she is enthralled and curious. Soon, however, she realizes the other mother and other father intend to keep her in their parallel reality for good. When her real parents become trapped by the other mother, Coraline must find a way to save them and return to her true home.
  • Potential Sensitivity Issues: Scary images and graphic events that might frighten younger or more sensitive readers

Neil Gaiman, Author

  • Bio: Born in Hampshire, England, in 1960; an early reader and lover of fantasy, especially Tolkien and C. S. Lewis; pursued journalism as an early career; inspired to write comics and comic scripts by Alan Moore (Swamp Thing); went on to write comics for DC, Marvel, and other publications; first novel (Good Omens; 1990) was a collaboration with Terry Pratchett; first met with big success with American Gods (2001); participates in radio and public readings and pursues screenwriting and audiobook projects
  • Other Works: American Gods (2001); The Graveyard Book (2008); The Silver Dream (2013); The Ocean at the End of the Lane (2013); Norse Mythology (2017)
  • Awards: Hugo Award for Best Novella (2003); ALA’s Notable Children’s Books; Nebula Award for Best Novella (2004); Bram Stoker Award (2002); Locus Award for Best Young Adult Novel (2003); British Science Fiction Association Award (2003)