78 pages 2 hours read

Neil Gaiman

The Graveyard Book

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2008

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.

Chapter 2-Interlude

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 2 Summary: “The New Friend”

As a little boy with tousled hair, Nobody—“Bod”—asks lots of questions about the world and how to do things, but most of the ghosts give conflicting answers. He often goes to the chapel at sunset and, when Silas wakes for the evening, asks him instead. Bod wants to know why he can’t leave the graveyard; Silas says Bod’s not yet safe outside. Silas brings easy children’s books to the Owens tomb. He gives Bod paper and crayons and teaches him the alphabet and basic reading by having him learn words on gravestones.

One day, Bod meets a girl in brightly colored clothes; her name is Scarlett Amber Perkins; she’s visiting the cemetery with her mother. Scarlett is a bit older than Bod, but they become friends instantly. She helps him copy down words from gravestones. Scarlett’s parents are both university professors without tenure; they often must move when there aren’t enough students to attend her father’s physics classes. Scarlett’s lonely and enjoys Bod’s friendship.

At home, Scarlett talks about the little boy who lives in the graveyard; her parents explain to her that Bod seems to be an imaginary friend. On sunny days, one of her parents brings her to the cemetery, where she and Bod play games, explore, and climb things.

Related Titles

By Neil Gaiman

Study Guide

logo

American Gods

Neil Gaiman

American Gods

Neil Gaiman

Study Guide

logo

Anansi Boys

Neil Gaiman

Anansi Boys

Neil Gaiman

Study Guide

logo

Fortunately, the Milk

Neil Gaiman

Fortunately, the Milk

Neil Gaiman

STUDY + TEACHING GUIDE

logo

Good Omens

Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett

Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch

Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett

Study Guide

logo

How to Talk to Girls at Parties

Neil Gaiman

How to Talk to Girls at Parties

Neil Gaiman

Study Guide

logo

October in the Chair

Neil Gaiman

October in the Chair

Neil Gaiman

Study Guide

logo

Odd and the Frost Giants

Neil Gaiman

Odd and the Frost Giants

Neil Gaiman

Study Guide

logo

The Ocean at the End of the Lane

Neil Gaiman

The Ocean at the End of the Lane

Neil Gaiman

Study Guide

logo

The Sandman Omnibus Vol. 1

Neil Gaiman

The Sandman Omnibus Vol. 1

Neil Gaiman

Study Guide

logo

The Sleeper and the Spindle

Neil Gaiman

The Sleeper and the Spindle

Neil Gaiman