You know the expression "If something is is too good to be true, it probably is." Well that is very true here. Coraline is a young girl who loves to go exploring. This time her exploring takes her to a happier, flip side of her reality. At least, that is what she thinks at first.... 
 Coraline is a young girl who is lonely, often pushed aside by her parents. They just moved into a new home. She has no friends, and her neighbors can't even get her name right! So right away you feel empathic for the girl. When she finds a door that used t lead to another "apartment" in this tri-plex(?) home, she wonders what it is like. Suddenly what used to be a brick wall is a passageway! On the other side, she meets her Other Mother, other father, etc. The food is wonderful, she is lavished with attention, her toys come to life, etc. But everyone here has button eyes, and the Other Mother wants to sew a pair on Coraline and keep her forever! 
 This book is very well done. The words create a wonderful imagery in my mind. Vivid enough to see it, yet leaving room for my imagination to fill the world. The creepy vibe throughout the book is fantastic. even as an adult, you pick up on it. For the older, mature children this is a great book. 
 Yet I must warn parents that is is mot for the very young. Please take caution for when your child can read this book. The literacy level and ease of the story can be 2nd-3rd grade, but the plot will up the ramp, putting it closer to a middle grade story. So if your child is still in elementary school and is wanting to read this, I advise you to take a look at if first to see if your child has the maturity and mental grasp to handle this book. My younger brothers have not read the book but saw the movie and had a hard time sleeping for a couple weeks and when my step father mentioned drawing a small door, they freaked out. They were in 1st and 2nd grade at the time. So just a heads up. 
 Very well done! I can see why they made a movie based on this. Both are good and there are some differences so I advise reading the book and then seeing the movie! I loved this book. Fans of goosebumps should check this out. It's edgier and the writing is so much more in depth! 
 *Note: nothing against Goosebumps books. Those are fun, but this is just better!