This is almost a “WTF?!” moment for me. I’m waaaay behind in what’s new in children’s literature, but I can’t believe that there wasn’t a book published in 2008 that could have won the Newbery over The Graveyard Book. And this is coming from a Neil Gaiman fan! The concept of the book – an orphaned baby taken in and raised by ghosts as one of their own – is solid and exciting, but its execution lacked the toothiness and strong characterization I’ve come to expect from Gaiman. No one, not even Bod, was treated to the depth they deserved. I wanted to be happy or sad or scared for these characters (especially Silas and Miss Lupescu), but I didn’t. Is that a fault on my part or Gaiman’s? Who knows? Good on him and all, but I found Coraline to be a much more satisfying read, and to the best of my knowledge it didn’t receive any awards (the up-coming feature film notwithstanding).

Mr. Gaiman’s response to the news (as eloquent as ever) is on his blog.