Eighth Grade Bites: The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Exciting vampire tale sucks in reluctant readers.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Kids say

What parents need to know

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.
  • Though the main character is a vampire, he, his surrogate family, and friends are pretty stable characters. There are bullies and villains in this story, however both groups' actions are seen in a negative light.
  • Two 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.
  • Crushes and talk of someone being a good kisser; a discussion of how two people fell in love and became parents.

What's the story?

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.


Is it any good?

 

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.


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What families can talk about

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?


This review was written by Terreece Clarke
Teen, 17 years old
September 4, 2009
 
great for tweens, teens, and young adults.
Vladimir Tod tried to have a normal life as a normal teen in the town of Barthory . He went to school, hung out with his friends, and tried not to let the whole world know he’s half vampire. His mother was human but his father was vampire. Both his parents were killed in a house fire. So he lived with his “Aunt” Nelly, who really isn’t his Aunt but a close friend of his mother. Up until eight grade ( *Eight Grade Bites*) when a vampire called D’Ablo, the president of the Elysia council, is out to kill him, he finds out that his friend , Henry, is his drudge (human slave) for life and his Uncle Otis becomes his teacher. The reason Vladimir and his parents are wanted dead is because it is a crime for vampires and humans to be married and have children. Only the vampires don’t know that his parents are dead. Vladimir is able to beat him a weapon that was his fathers, called a Lucis, and escapes with his life. Although D’Ablo didn’t die, which Vladimir find out in ninth grade (*Ninth Grade Slays*). Only D’Ablo hires a vampire slayer to go after Vladimir this time. Only this time D’Ablo is testing Vladimir to see if he’s the pravus. Only the slayer is Vladimir’s new friend and his best friend’s ,Henry’s, cousin, but he still tries to kill Vladimir. Amazingly Vladimir is able to live through it. Now as Vladimir enters tenth grade (*Tenth Grade Bleeds*) he has new problems. D’Ablo kidnapped his Uncle, Henry doesn’t want to be his drudge anymore, he almost bit his girlfriend Meredith, and he bites of a girl named Snow outside a club named Crypt. Not to mention that now that D’Ablo knows he’s the Pravus he’s wants to take his power of invincibility. Now Vladimir must save his Uncle, take down D’Ablo, make up with Henry, apologize to Snow (who is now Vladimir’s drudge), and keep Meredith away from him to protect her. It really was “ Another sucky year at Barthory High for Vladimir Tod”. Foot note: (* *) = the name of the book All books by Heather Brewer

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Teen, 15 years old
January 26, 2011
 
Pretty good!
I actually just finished the book and I really liked it! Throughout the book there is suspense and mystery and at times, its hard to even put the book down! I never really found any parts were I got a little bored while reading the book and I read it in one night.

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Teen, 15 years old
June 26, 2009
 
One of my absolute favorite books.

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Teen, 16 years old
January 8, 2010
 
Amazing book for teens!
I loved the book eight grade bites, I read it in two days now I'm on the second book ninth grade slays so far ninth grade slays is my favorite. If the series ever became a movie I think it would become a big hit.

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Teen, 15 years old
February 21, 2010
 
one of the best books ever
i am now on the 4th book i love this series. heather brewer pulls you in on the first chapter. this book and all the other books are so funny but teach you a little something about life too.

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Teen, 15 years old
January 12, 2010
 
i would say 11 yrs. and up ,tweens would love it!
well although it is ABOUT a vampire i see nothing bad in it. Yes he drinks blood BUT it comes from a food bank and his parents die before he was born. Vladmire runs into some trouble with other vampires and there is a part were he thinks that his aunt is dead but it is a missunderstanding. i would recomend kids of the age of at least 11 yrs. to read it is a fun good book on vampires that 11and over can read i see no harm in this book not gory not too scary!

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Teen, 14 years old
January 19, 2010
 
Perfect for preteens, teens, and possibly adults
love it that is ALL I CAN say

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Teen, 15 years old
June 13, 2010
 
I'm Hooked
This is an AMAZING book to read.It is just like life...if you have fangs.Vlad deals with life's every day challenges.School,crushes,friends,family. Something I enjoy is that it shows Vlad has feelings,he's not some tough guy who lets nothing get to him,he cries over his parents death,he is fearful that someone might find out his secret,and he loves. I CAN'T WAIT for the possible movie next year.

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Teen, 17 years old
March 9, 2010
 
COOL
It awsome byt i think kids 11+ will understand it i am still trying to get or but the 2 book but the first one ( eighth grade bites ) is the best so far and the best book i have ever read

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Teen, 16 years old
March 11, 2010
 
i love this book and this series. i think vlad is a good role model (assuming that people don't start drinking blood) because of the way that he deals with his vampireness. i think that he approaches it in a very grown up manner without being violent.

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This review was written by Terreece Clarke
Author:Heather Brewer
Book type:Fiction
Genre:Contemporary Fiction
Publisher:Dutton Children's Books
Publication date:August 16, 2007
Number of pages:182
Hardcover price:$16.99
Publisher's recommended age(s):8 - 12

This review was written by Terreece Clarke
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

 

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