Graveyard Book: does it deserve the Newbery?

What did you think of "The Graveyard Book"?  Does it deserve the Newbery or was there another book you thought should have won for this year?   Although I usually don't like creepy stories, I was pretty intrigued by this book!  The idea of a human baby being raised by ghosts and able to cross certain ghostly boundaries was definitely a unique idea, and I loved how Bod is caught between the two worlds...  I was surprised that it was chosen by the Newbery Committee, however, as they have chosen some fairly bland books in the past and this one seems sure to raise controversy.  (if parents complain that Harry Potter is too scary, this is sure to ruffle some feathers..)  Is it too scary for younger kids?  What do you think--does it deserve the Newbery Award?

Comments

[Jenifer Smith]

I think that Bod could have been angry or depressed about what happened to him and to his family. Instead, he seems so calm and watchful. He has such good people - even though their dead - looking out for him. He faces things that would scare the dickens out of me. How does he do that?

[Jenifer Smith]

Have any of you watched or read Coraline? I saw the movie this summer and enjoyed it. I read the book several years ago. The movie "9" is supposed to be something kind of cool and a little creepy. I wonder why we like stories that have "true" central characters in fantastical places?