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 

The House of Night Book Review

23. Marked (House of Night, Book 1) by P.C. Cast

Type: Book Review
Title: Marked (House of Night, Book 1)

Author: P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
ISBN: 978-0312360269

Pages: 306 pages
Year: 2007

Genre: Vampire

Reader's Annotation: You can't leave the House of Night.

Summary: This book is part of the House of Night series, which follows Zoey Redbird while she attends the school, House of Night.  Here, she trains to become a vampyre.  She soon finds out that the leader of the Dark Daughters club is misusing her own Goddess-given gift. Zoey must figure out what she will do with her own powers in order to survive the House of Night.

Critical Evaluation: With an average rating of 3.79 our of 5 stars on Goodreads, this book is very popular among readers of vampires.  In this magical world of the House of Night, everyone is training to become a vampyre.  What's different about this series than some of the other vampire ones, is that you discover Zoey's own powers and how she learns to control it.  This type of writing makes it more exciting and suspenseful for the reader, one where teenagers will surely wish they were vampyre.

Challenge Issues:

• Vampires

Challenges 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.  

Cirque Du Freak Series Review

37.  Cirque Du Freak Series by Darren Shan

Type: Series of Books
Title: Cirque du Freak: A Living Nightmare
Author: Darren Shan
Publisher:
ISBN: 978-0316605106
Ages: 15 and up
Genre: Vampire

Reader's Annotation: Welcome to the Cirque Du Freak, a freak show where vampires exist.

Summary: This story is about how Darren Shan goes to the show, Cirque Du Freak. In this circus/freak show, Steve, Darren's friend, uncovers the truth that Mr. Crepsley is a vampire.

Critical Evaluation: Filled with grotesque creatures, murderous vampires, and a petrifying ending, Cirque Du Freak will chill, thrill, and leave readers begging for more (Goodreads).

Challenge Issues:

• Too graphic horror
• References to ghouls and vampires

Challenge Defense 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.

Blue Bloods Series Review

21. Blue Bloods by Melissa De La Cruz

Type: Series Review
Title: Blue Bloods
Author: Melissa De La Cruz
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
ISBN: 336
Ages: 16 and up
Genre: Vampire

Reader's Annotation:  Blue Bloods is the epitome of a vampire story, Schuyler Van Alen attempts to get to the bottom of all her life’s mysteries.

Summary: Schuyler Van Alen is confused about what is happening to her. Her veins are starting to turn blue, and she's starting to crave raw meat. Soon, her world is thrust into an intricate maze of secret societies and bitter intrigue. Schuyler has never been a part of the trendy crowd at her prestigious New York private school. Now, all of a sudden, Jack Force, the most popular guy in school, is showing an interest in her. And when one of the popular girls is found dead, Schuyler and Jack are determined to get to the bottom of it.

Critical Evaluation: Melissa de la Cruz's vampire mythology, set against the glitzy backdrop of New York City, is a juicy and intoxicating read.  Like various vampire novel-series, many young adults are drawn to its suspenseful theme. This novel includes young adult topics and issues that are relevant to young adults, such as family ties, romantic relationships, and social status at schools. The romantic plot line adds to this story, which interests many young adults. Melissa de la Cruz intentionally mentions various “pop culture” references that a young adult audience can relate to as well. She is able to effectively draw her audience into Schuyler Van Alen’s world.

Challenge Issues:

• Novel is about vampires
• Novel deals with blood sucking of others

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. 

Vampire Academy Book Review

8.  Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Type: Book Review
Title: Vampire Academy (Book 1)
Author: Richelle Mead
Publisher: Razorbill

ISBN: 978-1595141743

Ages: 15 and up

Genre: Vampire

Reader's Annotation: Enter a magical world, Vampire Academy will shock you for its jaw-dropping plot twist. Rose will meet all your vampire expectations, and leave you thirsty for more.

Summary: This book takes place in St. Vladimir's Academy, which is a boarding school where vampires are educated int he ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them.  The book centers on the character of Rose Hathaway, a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess.  They have escaped the school, but are caught and returned to the Academy. This is a dangerous place, and we’ll find out what happens to them both.

Critical Evaluation: Vampire Academy is the first novel of Richelle Mead’s vampire series. This novel reaches a diverse young adult audience, who relate to the school setting. Richelle Mead brings to light all the issues that surround attending school, such as, social emotional issues, relationships, gossips, and so forth. The coming-of-age topics that surface in this novel are effectively portrayed in this “the vampire world.”  Rose’s personal struggles, and identify battles, result in a captivating story.
 
Challenge Issues:

• Book is about vampires
• Book takes place in a fantasy life and not real life

Challenge Defense 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.