| 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. | |
| NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Parents need to know that this vampire read for middle graders is pretty mild for the genre. The violence is gore-free: a kidnapping, an almost-poisoning, someone falls out a window and breaks his arm, and an attempt to kill a vampire.
Svetlana Grimm is a new student at Sunny Hill middle school. Previously homeschooled, she finds herself in 6th grade where the classes are boring and the kids are friendly -- which is unfortunate because she wants to be a loner. She believes she is a vampire and soon finds herself involved in a mystery along with her neighbor, Ms. Bones, and her science teacher, Ms. Larch. When three of her classmates disappear and she discovers her true gift, she has to grow up quickly and figure out a way to help.
A TASTE FOR RED is a very quick, entertaining read. The mystery goes along at a good pace and kids will be excited to see how it all turns out. Creepy and funny, Svetlana's Sunny Hill middle school will remind readers of Buffy Summers' Sunnydale high school. It's always great to see a female protagonist and Svetlana doesn't let us down.
Families can talk about making new friends. Why did Svetlana start out rejecting her classmates' attempts at friendship?
Svetlana said, "I remember reading somwehere that the things you find to criticize in others are really the things you wish to improve in yourself." Do you think that's true? Have you ever had that experience?
| Author: | Lewis Harris |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Fantasy |
| Publisher: | Clarion Books |
| Publication date: | June 15, 2009 |
| Number of pages: | 176 |
| Hardcover price: | $16.00 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 9 - 12 |
| Read aloud: | 9 |
| Read alone: | 10 |