It Takes A Graveyard To Raise A Child

With The Graveyard Book, Neil Gaiman has created a rich, surprising, and at times disturbing tale of dreams, ghouls, murderers, trickery, and family. I'm not a big fan of books dealing with supernatural subject matter, but found myself really enjoying reading this book. It presents a strong, strange, wonderful metaphor about children growing up, learning more about the world, and exploring beyond the safe boundaries of their homes or neighborhoods. I think in some ways children think of adults as "ghosts" - those funny talking older people whose time has passed, but who can provide shelter, care, and wisdom against the wider, crueler world. I also liked the fact that though Bod makes a few careless and thoughtless mistakes thoroughout the book, I felt no anger toward him or thought he needed to be punished for his actions. Gaiman does a great job of properly putting the readers of this book into the head of the protaganist- Bod. Even when Bod is being childlessly selfish and single minded, I'm able to understand and sympathize with him. I can see of my own young self in Bod and root for him to succeed. As Bod reaches each stage in his growth, he encounters obstacles and various people, all with different personalities, that help him mature. I think the sentence, it takes a graveyard to raise a child, could very easily be applied to this book. This book deals with the thought of children growing up and moving out - whether it be leaving a graveyard, or leaving their homes for college or other journeys. The Graveyard Book tips its hats to children making there way in the world, with their pasts behind them and their futures unknown. The last sentence of the book - "But between now and then, there was Life; and Bod walked into it with his eyes and heart wide open," left me with a feeling of reasurrance. I think this book would be great for children to read who are going through transistions such as moving or going to another school or grade level. It can help them realize that not all change is bad, and it can lead to new adventures and experiences.

Charlotte's Web

E.B. White's Charlotte's Web is one of my favorite books. I think it teaches readers of all ages the importance of friendship and loyalty and also how to cope with the harsh realities of life such as death. A child like view for readers of all ages is created through the third person narration style of the book. Although it is told in third person, much of the action follows the inner thought processes of Wilbur which makes the novel interesting and easy to follow. The setting of the book, a farm in what appears to be 1950's America, is important to the themes addressed. The setting of a farm, where life and death are accepted as matter of nature, allows White to fully explore themes of mortality and the natural order of things in a way that is relatable to all. I feel that the ideas of friendship and loyalty are central to Charlotte's Web. The first example of friendship that White provides is that of Wilbur and Fern. This relationship is more of a mother/child one, though Fern does show a great deal of loyalty toward Wilbur throughout most of the book. Their relationship paralles the one between Wilbur and Charlotte. The main way that these relationships are similiar is that Charlotte is quite motherly toward Wilbur several times throughout the book, as Fern is. However, Charlotte and Wilbur's friendship is stronger than the one between Wilbur and Fern. THeir friendship is an enduring one. Toward the end of the book, Fern has seemingly seemed to lose interest in Wilbur, focusing her attention on boys and such things that growing girls find important. Charlotte, on the other hand, is always loyal to Wilbur. She does everything in her power to save his life, even if that involves putting her own in danger. She is always there for him to offer advice and to listen and to simply be a friend. I think she is the first non human heroine we have encountered in our readings this semester. As a heroine, Charlotte is able to save Wilbur's life, and teaches him how to live his life without her. Her death is not a self sacrifice; she knew that death was coming for her and she saves Wilbur by following her instincts, being true to her individual self. Wilbur is thrown into a state of panic when he realizes that her life is about to end. However, what he has learned from Charlotte enable him to move on and to take care of Charlotte's children; continuing her legacy.It is written that when her children begin to hatch, Wilbur's heart pounds and he trembles with joy. When all of the spiders are hatched, his heart brims with happiness. He will never love these spiders as much as he loves Charlotte, but because of Charlotte's presence in his life he is able to show love and support to them, and to have love and confidence for himself. I don't think that many children's books deal with the truths of life such as fear of death and death itself. Charlotte's Web is one that shows the death and the fear of it are parts of life, that love can cure fear, and that love can be strong without being possessive. These messages are important for all readers to learn. Charlotte's Web will remain an enduring book because of the lessons it can teach its readers in generations to come.

The Moorchild: A dedication to all children.

The Moorchild is dedicated to all children who have ever felt different. I didn't really think too much of that dedication until I completed the book. I think the dedication is another way of saying that the book is dedicated to all children. I feel that every child- and adult- has felt different at some point in their lives. I know I've experienced the feeling both in childhood and as a young adult. Then and now, I'm grateful for my support system of family and friends who are always there when difficult thoughts or problems arise. We discussed in class today the arguments that McGraw made in this book about growing up female and without parents, and compared Saaski with Pippi Longstock. Pippi had a support system in her life- she had Tommy, Annika, and her animals. I feel that Saaski did not grow up feeling like she did not have a support system for most of the book. This changes toward the end. When it is discovered by the villagers that Saaski is a changeling, they want to throw her into a fire. Her "father" Yanno tells her that "they will not lay a hand on her", and promises to protect her. I think that Saaski feels comfort from this act of protection and love, and comes to the realization that having parents or people in your life who protect you and care for you is so important. I also feel that is why she takes enormous risks to return a stolen human baby to its real parents - who raised her. She knows how loved that child will be and how important that love is to have; and also realizes that she belongs back home, among others like her. Though she didn't have the best childhood and was taunted and teased often, she did experience affection and care, and had to follow some rules set before her. I think that all of that will not be forgotten as she goes back to life on the Mound and will shape her as she matures in a positive manner.

Daemons and Dust..

I'm glad this class offered me the opportunity to re read the Golden Compass. I read it in high school, but didn't really understand it, or think about it much after completing it. Then, and now I did find the daemons and dust to be the most intriguing and fascinating elements of the novel. I think it would be really interesting to have your own daemon. They seem to serve as physical representations of the human soul. I think one of the most fascinating things about daemons is that they are able to change form to reflect the myriads of emotional states their humans go through as children. Childhood is definitely filled with so many emotional states and so much change; it's no wonder the daemons change forms! The daemon does settle on a fixed animal when their human reaches adulthood, that they feel best reflects their human's inner nature. While reading I found myself wondering what forms my own daemon would take during my childhood and adolescence and what it would be fixed upon now. Daemons could be seen as their humans' consciousness; like having your own Jiminy Cricket with you at all times!


I also found "Dust" to be a very interesting character in the novel. I think dust represents different things to different people; illustrating diversity in thoughts. To me, dust represents original sin. I think that people are frightened by dust because dust can uncover their sins and cause them to feel their ramifications. It's hard to pinpoint in the novel is dust or good or bad as there are so many differing opinions by the various characters. I believe one of the reasons Lyra thinks that dust is good is because those she views as "bad people"(her parents - Lord Asrial and Mrs. Coulter) seek to destroy it. Lyra's quest to find the dust could be seen as an act of teenage rebellion.

My name is Megan Westmoreland. I'm a senior majoring in Child Development. I've always loved reading and am looking forward to re reading some of my favorite childhood books in this class. My all time favorite books are the Harry Potter books and Pride And Prejudice. I had many favorite childhood books. I really enjoyed reading the baby sitter's club books, and the shiloh books. Little Women is also a personal favorite. One of the books that had the most impact on me as a child was Bridge To Terabithia. I thought it told a beautiful story of true friendship, and also taught me about individuality and being comfortable with yourself as you are.