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A Taste for Red (by Lewis Harris)

common sense media says

Creepy, funny vampire mystery is a page-turner.

parents & educators say
See all 5 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

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.

Educational value: A couple of mentions of Sun Tzu's Art of War could lead to further exploration.
Positive messages: The importance of doing the right thing.
Positive role models: Svetlana has a sense of superiority and is a bit snarky in the beginning, but not directly to others. She and her classmates are good, funny kids. The adults in the story are supportive, especially Ms. Bones, who takes Svetlana under her wing to develop her gift.
Violence: Three girls are kidnapped for the purpose of drinking their blood. A mention of a teacher found murdered. A child falls out of a window and breaks his arm. Svetlana is almost poisoned and she is almost run over by a van. Svetlana and her friends try to kill a vampire, but there is no gore.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on A Taste for Red

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • 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?

What's the story?

What's the story?
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.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
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.

Book themes & details

Book Details
Author: Lewis Harris
Publisher: Clarion Books
Publication date: June 15, 2009
Number of pages: 176
Hardcover price: $16.00
Read Aloud: 9
Read Alone: 10
This review was written by Abby Aldrich
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

TampaBookWorm
parent of 9 and 14 year old
8
 
Wonderful Book! Perfect for Tweens!
This book was not what I was expecting. The author introduces a new take on vampires and supernatural creatures which I found interesting and refreshing. The writing is lively and fun, and there is nothing inappropriate for tweens. I hope another book is in the works because this one left me wanting more!
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helped me decide (4) | had useful details (6) | read my mind (4)
thecoolaunt
parent of 11 year old
9
 
Great for Tweens
I have an 11 yr old niece, and we started our own little book club. This book was perfect for us! She's always trying to read books that are just a little too old for her (Twilight Saga). This book not only has appropriate subject manner for her age, but also vocabulary. There were a few times where the author made a point of giving a simple definitions of some words I knew she wouldn't know.
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ETCVdoi
kid, 11 years old
9
 
any age between 8-13
love it. if i knew what it was about i would love it even more
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helped me decide (4) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (4)
BVBVBVBVB
kid, 13 years old
10
 
You Wouldn't Believe
I enjoyed reading this book 2 years back when I was 10. Slight gore, but not something the weak hearted couldn't handle. I like it because it doesn't give itself away too easily, like most books. Until near the end, you don't know what's going to happen next, so you just can't stop reading. Then when it reveals itself, you keep reading to make sure you thought correctly about the ending! I love it!
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helped me decide (3) | had useful details (4) | read my mind (3)
jazzyh54
kid, 11 years old
9
 
love it
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helped me decide (3) | had useful details (5) | read my mind (2)

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About our rating system
ON: Content is 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
Our child development rating guidelines