Eighth Grade Bites: The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod
Common Sense Note
Parents need to know there is a fair amount of blood in this story, though most of it comes from the blood bank. Three people are shown being killed, though it's not particularly gory. The overall feel is a bit spooky with villains, school issues, and typical teen crushes all mixed in together.
Families can talk about standing up to bullies. Have you ever been bullied? Why is it important to stand up to someone who is harassing you? Who can you talk to if you need help?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Terreece Clarke
EIGHTH GRADE BITES is a yummy treat. The book's cover sets the tone: dark, cool, creepy, and exciting. Many books and movies have already explored teens turning into supernatural beings -- witches, wizards, werewolves, even superheroes. Heather Brewer makes Vlad a known vampire from birth. Instead of wrapping up the challenges of growing into an adult with the challenges of becoming a vampire, Vlad has always been an outsider, though we are beginning to explore the vampire world as Vlad is being slowly exposed to it. Another difference -- most stories have the teens becoming cooler as they realize they have powers, whereas Vlad is still pretty uncool, at least to the kids in his school. Brewer also includes positive adult figures -- yet another departure from most teen novels.
This fun read was named an ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers. And tapping into the MySpace crowd, Brewer and Vampire Island author Adele Griffin teamed up to launch a popular MySpace page with their lead characters.
From The Book
At the center of the paper was the grainy image of a thirteen-year-old boy John knew well. The boy was surrounded by several of his peers and a teacher, but looked nervous, awkward. At the bottom of the photo, it read, "Left to right: Kelly Anbrock, Carrie Anderson, Henry McMillan, Jonathan Craig, Vladimir Tod, Edgar Poe, Mike Brennan." At the top was a bold title: Debate Team Sure to Win at Regionals!
Tears coated John's cheeks and he shook his head, refusing to answer.
Something warm and slick ran down John's forehead. Through red tinted glass, he looked at the forest around them. He screamed for help until his lungs burned, but help wouldn't come. "Where's the boy? Where's Vlad?"
John wriggled. The man's face was near his. Cold breath beat down on the back of his neck and something sharp grazed against his skin.
"Tell me or die."
John opened his mouth to speak, but it was too late for lies. The man bit down. Fangs popped through John's skin, cutting deep into his neck.
Plot Summary:
Eighth grade is no picnic. Like the average outsider Vlad's got bullies and a crush on his mind. But being a vampire, and one recently orphaned in mysterious circumstances, adds a whole new level of suckiness. Vlad has to hide blood in his school lunches, slather on the sunscreen, and keep his fangs under control.
Related Books:
More Vampires:
Follow-up Ninth Grade Slays
Vampire Island by Adele Griffin
Heather Brewer's Web site
Vlad's MySpace Page
Reviewed: 04/02/2008
Rate It!
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Sexual ContentCrushes and talk of someone being a good kisser; a discussion of how two people fell in love and became parents. |
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ViolenceTwo people die in a fire before the book begins, their son believes it was murder. A vampire attacks and kills two people. A vampire is killed by a special weapon that uses light. |
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LanguageSome name calling. |
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Social BehaviorThough the main character is a vampire, he, his surrogate family, and friends are pretty stable characters. There are bullies and villians in this story, however both groups' actions are seen in a negative light. |
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CommercialismTwinkies, Playstation, Sony |
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