Plot Summary
This is a classic journey story in which our hero, young Coraline, must rescue herself and others from danger against evil forces. The story begins when Coraline's family moves into a new apartment (the author is British, so it's a "flat"). It is a rainy day, and Coraline is not allowed to go outside and play. Her father recommends that she inspect their new abode: why doesn't she count the numbers of doors and windows? She counts the doors and finds one that is locked. Curious, she asks her mother about it, and her mother replies that it goes nowhere and hands Coraline the key. When Coraline turns the key to the locked door and enters, the adventure begins. Crossing the threshold, Coraline enters a parallel universe which at first seems like paradise. In this "other world" she has parents much like her own, but these ones aren't distracted like her real parents. These ones pay attention to her and make roasted chicken for dinner, instead of the usual carry-out, microwave-later fare that her actual parents serve. But evil lurks under the surface, and the new mother and father on the other side want her to stay and be their little daughter. Coraline's real parents didn't always pay the closest attention to her, but they are hers and hers alone--shouldn't she try and get back to them? Soon Coraline learns that other children are locked up in this creepy place, and she is their only hope at salvation. Assisted by a talking cat, she embarks on a journey to rescue the children and get back to her real parents. Doing so demands that Coraline face decapitated rats and a vengeful, bony hand that chases her. When she returns home to her real parents, she has a whole new appreciation for them and her odd neighbors including the batty old man, Mr. Bobo, who trains his mouse circus.
Critical Evaluation
The tone of Coraline shifts seamlessly between the creepiness of the “other world” with its Other Mother with button eyes and the silliness of the “real world” in which Coraline’s neighbors, the old spinsters, can never remember her actual name and instead call her “Caroline.” The plucky Coraline has the courage to face the horrors of the other world, and, when she returns, she is able to forgive the adults in her life their many foibles. The novel has a fairy tale like aspect in which a locked door is a portal to another universe, one in which evil forces lurk. What is delightful about Coraline is that our young hero is not rescued by a handsome prince but instead has the wherewithal to battle these otherworldly demons herself with, of course, the aid of a talking cat. This makes Coraline a creepy, funny, girl-power novel, one that is sure to entertain many children, teens and adults alike.
Reader’s Annotation
Ever wanted to slip through a mysterious door and escape the hum-drum of everyday life? That’s what Coraline does, but behind that door, evil forces lurk.
Information about the Author
According to the author’s website “Bestselling author Neil Gaiman has long been one of the top writers in modern comics, as well as writing books for readers of all ages. He is listed in the Dictionary of Literary Biography as one of the top ten living post-modern writers, and is a prolific creator of works of prose, poetry, film, journalism, comics, song lyrics, and drama.
His New York Times bestselling 2001 novel for adults, American Gods, was awarded the Hugo, Nebula, Bram Stoker, SFX, and Locus awards, was nominated for many other awards, including the World Fantasy Award and the Minnesota Book Award, and appeared on many best-of-year lists...Born and raised in England, Neil Gaiman now lives near Minneapolis, Minnesota. He has somehow reached his forties and still tends to need a haircut.”
Genre
Children’s Gothic Horror
Curriculum Ties
Students studying fairy tales might read Coraline along with Brothers Grimm to get ideas for writing their own modern day fairy tales.
Booktalking Ideas
Read aloud the passage in which Coraline is given the key to the door. This is where the adventure begins.
Reading Level/Interest Age
Ages 8+
Challenge Issues
N/A
Why Included?
I had heard of the author Neil Gaiman but hadn’t read anything by him and thought that Coraline might a good place to start. The blend of horror/ fantasy/ humor has a little bit for every kind of reader from children to teens to adults.
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