The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman and illustrated by Chris Riddell is a fantastical tale recommended for children aged 8-11. It has a gruesome beginning though, so be warned that it very much depends on the reader and whether this book is suited to their tastes.

Bod is a mischievous baby, who crawls out of his crib one night and into a graveyard. Here, he is adopted by the ghostly residents who take care of him and raise him as their own. 

Growing up, he is tutored by a werewolf, cared for by a vampire and even has a nasty brush with some ghouls! The ghosts that Bod meets come from varying times throughout history, which makes for very interesting reading. With their vast range of personalities, this book had me laughing throughout!

The story follows Bod as he tries to avoid capture by Jack, an evil man sent to find him. It follows his struggle to grow up as a mortal boy in a world of ghosts and movingly describes his ascent into young adulthood. Will Bod ever be able to leave the graveyard and rejoin the human world?

This is one of my all-time favourite books and a great read for those who enjoy fantasy and the supernatural. It is, above all, a book about family and friendship and how you can find both in the most unlikely of places. 

Miss Litchfield