The Wolves in the Walls

by Neil Gaiman (Author) Dave McKean (Illustrator)

The Wolves in the Walls
Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade
Lucy is sure there are wolves living in her walls--and everyone says if the wolves make their way out it is all over for her and her family. A wonderfully strange adventure from the "New York Times" bestseller of "Coraline." Illustrations.
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Publishers Weekly

Starred Review

"If the wolves come out of the walls, it's all over," is the oft-repeated prediction in Gaiman's latest, a picture book that cleverly balances humor and spookiness in a slightly off-kilter setting. As he did in his novel Coraline, the author again introduces an inquisitive girl who lives in a creepy old house with her distracted family. When Lucy hears "squeaking, creeping, crumpling noises" from inside the house's walls, she's convinced it must be wolves. Lucy's parents and younger brother, who don't share Lucy's sharply attuned ear, but have heard bad things about wolves in people's walls, insist any noise must be emanating from something more logical, like rats or mice. But when Lucy's hunch comes true, the family flees-until brave, determined Lucy hatches a plan to turn the tables. Gaiman's text rings with energetic confidence and an inviting tone, even as he leads readers into a bizarre and potentially spine-tingling scenario. McKean (who previously collaborated with Gaiman on the Sandman comics and The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish) expertly matches the tale's funny-scary mood. Lucy shines as a heroine, standing tall among somewhat tuned-out supporting characters that are an inventive mixture of ordinary and odd. Against shadow-filled backdrops that blend paint, digital manipulation and photography, his stylized human figures look right at home. His pen-and-inks of the wolves, often with a judicious dash of color, suggest that they inhabit a world apart-or perhaps unreal? Author and artist credit their audience with the intelligence to puzzle out the question for themselves. All ages. (Aug.)

Copyright 2003 Publishers Weekly Used with permission.

School Library Journal

Gr 2-4-Lucy hears sounds in her house and is certain that the "sneaking, creeping, crumpling" noises coming from inside the walls are wolves. Her parents and her brother know "if the wolves come out-, it's all over," and no one believes that the creatures are there-until they come out. Then the family flees, taking refuge outside. It is Lucy who bravely returns to rescue her pig puppet and who talks the others into forcing the animals to leave. Gaiman and McKean deftly pair text and illustrations to convey a strange, vivid story evolving from a child's worst, credible fear upon hearing a house creak and groan. Glowing eyes and expressive faces convey the imminent danger. This rather lengthy picture book displays the striking characteristics of a graphic novel: numerous four-panel pages opening into spreads that include painted people; scratchy ink-lined wolves; and photographed, computer-manipulated images. Children will delight in the "scary, creepy tone" and in the brave behavior displayed by the intrepid young heroine. -Marian Creamer, Children's Literature Alive, Portland, OR

Copyright 2003 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

"Spectacular...atmospheric, sinister, scary, and funny...This is a book for cool kids who will grow up to be fearless."—Sunday Times (London)
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9780380810956
Lexile Measure
500
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
HarperCollins
Publication date
July 26, 2005
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV019000 - Juvenile Fiction | Humorous Stories
JUV037000 - Juvenile Fiction | Fantasy & Magic
JUV018000 - Juvenile Fiction | Horror
Library of Congress categories
Dwellings
Wolves
Greenaway Medal
Nominee 2003 - 2003
Bram Stoker Awards
Finalist 2003 - 2003

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