Jeff Smith's Bone receives high praise for its engaging storytelling, detailed artwork, and memorable characters. Critics commend the seamless blend of humor, fantasy, and adventure. However, some note a slow start and pacing issues. Overall, it is celebrated as a compelling graphic novel with wide appeal.

Readers who relish imaginative, genre-blending narratives will gravitate towards Jeff Smith's Bone. Similar to aficionados of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit and C.S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia, these readers appreciate epic adventures, richly-drawn fantasy worlds, and a blend of humor and dark themes.

Bone by Jeff Smith follows three cousins—Fone, Phoney, and Smiley Bone—who are exiled from Boneville and become entangled in a Tolkienesque war featuring dragons, monsters, and a lost princess, Thorn Harvestar, who seeks to defeat the Lord of the Locusts. Their adventures blend humor, fantasy, and epic battles, shifting from lighthearted to intense as they uncover secrets and fulfill Thorn's destiny.

Adventurous / Mysterious / Humorous / Fantastical / Emotional

Jeff Smith

Graphic Novel/Book

Bone

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore Bone reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read Bone | SuperSummary

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Overview

Get ready to explore Bone and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

Bone Summary and Study Guide

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Volume 1: “The Valley or Vernal Equinox”, Part 1: “Out from Boneville”

Volume 1, Part 1

Bone Volume 1, Part 1 Summary & Analysis

Volume 1: “The Valley or Vernal Equinox”, Part 2: “The Great Cow Race”

Volume 1, Part 2

Bone Volume 1, Part 2 Summary & Analysis

Volume 1: “The Valley or Vernal Equinox”, Part 3: “Eyes of the Storm”

Volume 1, Part 3

Bone Volume 1, Part 3 Summary & Analysis

Volume 2: “Phoney Strikes Back or Solstice”, Part 4: “The Dragonslayer”

Volume 2, Part 4

Bone Volume 2, Part 4 Summary & Analysis

Volume 2: “Phoney Strikes Back or Solstice”, Part 5: “Rock Jaw: Master of the Eastern Border”

Volume 2, Part 5

Bone Volume 2, Part 5 Summary & Analysis

Volume 2: “Phoney Strikes Back or Solstice”, Part 6: “Old Man’s Cave”

Volume 2, Part 6

Bone Volume 2, Part 6 Summary & Analysis

Volume 3: “Friends & Enemies or Harvest”, Part 7: “Ghost Circles”

Volume 3, Part 7

Bone Volume 3, Part 7 Summary & Analysis

Volume 3: “Friends & Enemies or Harvest”, Part 8: “Treasure Hunters”

Volume 3, Part 8

Bone Volume 3, Part 8 Summary & Analysis

Volume 3: “Friends & Enemies or Harvest”, Part 9: “Crown of Horns”

Volume 3, Part 9

Bone Volume 3, Part 9 Summary & Analysis

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Character Analysis

Bone Character Analysis

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Themes

Bone Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Bone Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

Bone Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

Bone Essay Topics

Bone

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read Bone?

Reading Age

Book Details