Vladimir Tod Book Review

28. Eight Grade Bites by Heather Brewer

Type: Book Review
Title: Eight Grade Bites (The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod #1)
Author: Heather Brewer
Publisher: Dutton Children's Books
Pages: 182 pages
ISBN: 978-0142411872
Year: 2007
Genre: Vampire, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery

Reader's Annotation: For Vampires like Vladimir Tod, eight grade bites... literally.

Summary: Vladimir Tod hates middle school. Nothing is going right.  However, he is a vampire. Vladimir must learn how to handle his vampire qualities. Vlad has to hide blood in his school lunches, slather on the sunscreen, and keep his fangs under control.  He also learns that he is being hunted by a vampire killer.

Critical Evaluation: Although this book is geared for students in grades 5-8, the content itself is entertaining enough for teenagers who are 15, especially young boys.  The characters needed to be developed a bit further, in order to add depth to their lives.  However, there is suspense and mystery at many times throughout the book, as Vladimir seeks to find the truth about his own life.  

This ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, will inspire those readers who may not want to read even when presented with an interesting book.  Even though this novel discusses the made-believe life of vampires, this book does have positive role models of his close knit friends and his surrogate family.  What's interesting about Vlad is his un-coolness and unpopularity, even though he is a vampire.    

Challenge Issues:

• Vampire content
• References to blood sucking
• Violence through killing of characters. 

Challenge Ideas:

• Be familiar with the themes in the material and how they relate to young adults today.
• Stay calm and remember to not be personally offended by their comments or concerns.
• Libraries provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues.  Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.
• Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.
• LISTEN to what they have to say and reiterate our freedom to read and be without censorship.
• All material for young adults are under the review of the branch manager and even further up, the Library Director and even City Council members.

Author: Heather Brewer 

Saga Graphic Novel Review

28. Saga: Volume One by Brian K. Vaughn

Type: Graphic Novel

Title: Saga: Volume One
Author: Brian K. Vaughn
Publisher: Image Comics
ISBN: 978-1607066019
Pages: 160

Ages: 14 and up
Genre: Graphic Novel, Fantasy, Sci-Fi

Reader's Annotation: Follow these two lovers, aliens from different planets and worlds, as they try to stay alive in this science fiction graphic novel series.

Summary: When two soldiers from opposite sides of a never-ending galactic war fall in love, they risk everything to bring a fragile new life into a dangerous old universe. Saga is the sweeping tale of one young family fighting to find their place in the worlds.

Critical Evaluation:  Fantasy and science fiction are wed like never before in this sexy, subversive drama for adults.  The art from this graphic novel is geared towards adults and can even be considered a "cross-over".  The graphic illustrations are both a combination of bigger drawings and your typical framed drawings.  Younger teenagers are warned that there are pictures of the the human body, specifically when Alana is breastfeeding her newborn baby, and even images of the act of sexual intercourse.

This graphic novel is a struggle of survival for both Alana and Maiko.  The story is quick, with breaks of violence and suspense, as they try to survive from the people of Landfall and the moon Wreath.  The storyline is funny, serious and very dramatic.  Vaughn brings both of these character through life, with witty storytelling and a fast-paced illustrations.      

Challenge Issues:  

• Issues of racism
• Too much violence
• Complex issues for adults
• References and images of sexual behavior

Challenge Ideas: 

• Be familiar with the themes in the material and how they relate to young adults today.
• Stay calm and remember to not be personally offended by their comments or concerns.
• Libraries provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues.  Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.
• Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.
• LISTEN to what they have to say and reiterate our freedom to read and be without censorship.
• All material for young adults are under the review of the branch manager and even further up, the Library Director and even City Council members.