Coraline

Despite being mostly known for his fantastical graphic novels and adult fiction, Neil Gaiman's first book for children is everything that you would expect from such a massive imagination as his. It's special and wonderful and very weird indeed. Described by some as the new Alice in Wonderland, Coraline is actually more bizarre than that, much more frightening and its modest length definitely adds to the book's undiluted potency.

Shortly after moving into an old house with strange tenants above and below, Coraline discovers a big, carved, brown wooden door at the far corner of the drawing room. And it is locked. Curiosity runs riot in Coraline's mind and she unlocks the door to see what lies behind it. Disappointingly, it opens onto a brick wall. Days later, after exploring the rest of the house and garden, Coraline returns to the same mysterious door and opens it again. This time, however, there is a dark hallway in front of her. Stepping inside, the place beyond has an eerie familiarity about it. The carpet and wallpaper are the same as in her flat. The picture hanging on the wall is the same. Almost. Strangest of all, her mum and dad are there too. Only they have buttons for eyes and seem more possessive than normal. It's a twisted version of her world that is familiar, and yet sinister. And matters get even more surreal for Coraline when her "other" parents seem reluctant to let her leave.

Her attempted escape from this nightmare alternative reality sees Coraline experience a chilling series of ever more bizarre encounters. Some are plainly odd, others disturbingly spooky and together they combine to form an immensely readable story. It's like all the best bits of the Goosebumps books condensed into 160 pages. A unique reading experience guaranteed. (Ages 10 and over)--John McLay

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what a strange story! - Rated
Read this in preparation as having it as a class story next term. Think the children will really enjoy it even though it has some very bizarre & spooky ideas, not suitable if your child is easily frightened.

Really, really creepy - Rated
Gaiman is brilliant and I'm so very glad he moved into the territory of childrens' books, because it means that I can now share his brilliance with my children. This is a little too old for them yet, so they're being weaned on the fantastic, Wolves in the Walls and The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish, but this awaits them eagerly.

This is a mesmerisingly disturbing tale of a young girl in a creepy old house being tricked and gradually sucked into a hideously scary fantasy world that she has to navigate safely. It's a traditional tale and includes the classic themes of abandonment, fear of losing identity and other such nasties, but it's done with the usual Gaiman flair and elegance that turns it into something special.

Coraline is an excellent heroine, something else I really rate about Gaiman. He doesn't write weedy girls. He writes real, feisty girls and it's brilliant.

SPECTACULAR-Best book i have read - Rated
This is an absulotly herrific book! It is weird and scary but at the same time,thrilling and very,very,very,very,very imagianitive!!Trust me-YOU WILL NEVER THINK THE SAME ABOUT BLACK BUTTONS AGAIN!!!!!!!!

Started - Rated
I am 11 and i am reading this book as a class project. It is really scary but weird and it is helped by the spooky pics! i reacommend this bokk to anyone over 8!

Disturbing in the best possible way - Rated
I discovered this book a little over four years ago. It was the first Gaimain novel I had come across, and remains--despite my delving into the fascinating depths of Neverwhere's London Below, the dangerous beauty of Stardust's Faerie and all the rest--my absolute favourite of all his works. His clear, unconvuluted style is really allowed to shine through here as this story is primarily for children, giving a wonderfully bleak, chilly feel. Also, Gaiman's masterful tendency of leaving much unexplained and not feeling the need to rationalise the extraordinary is, no doubt one that will appeal to children greatly.
Admittedly, the basic idea of a 'Looking-Glass' world is not original, but the intricacies of the storyline certainly are. This novel has that feel that so many horror films try (and largely fail) to obtain with their demonic children and evil dollies; Coraline is awash with a kind of twisted innocence that is infinitely eerie.
Black buttons have ever since made me edgy.