Speak, 2008
ISBN-13: 978-0142411872
Available: New and Used
Eighth grade is tough for every misfit, but being born a vampire complicates matters. Adding to Vladimir Tod’s list of problems are the recent death of his parents in a huge fire, the constant bullying he suffers at school, and the freaky-weird substitute teacher who has taken a huge interest in him. Of course, his major crush, Meredith, seems to prefer his best friend, Henry. Life serves insult to injury.
Two people on earth know Vlad’s secret: Henry and Vlad’s loving guardian, Nelly. Nelly serves him bags of blood she “borrows” from the hospital and Henry watches Vlad’s back. When their teacher, Mr. Otis, writes “I know your secret” across Vlad’s vampire essay, and starts getting close to Nelly, life becomes more than just complicated: it becomes a terrifying ordeal where some secrets are protected and others are revealed. Who is this guy? Can he possibly know what Vlad really is?
The discovery of his father’s journal opens an entire new world full of mystery and possibility, but it’s rife with danger to everything Vlad cares about. This element twists and complicates the plot of Eighth Grade Bites and turns it into a much larger work, capable of supporting its several sequels. Heather Brewer writes in a brisk, natural diction, relying on her realistic, understated characters to ensnare readers. Her humor lightens the mood of some very dark circumstances, even through the considerable suspense she creates.
Brewer combines the alternate vampire, one born, not “turned”, with the darker legends of an all-powerful, immortal, underground. Vlad’s rebellious teen angst plays well against the larger vampire society, which can’t abide the threat of an outcast. Lessons about bullying, loss, independence, and the larger forces working to squash the individual are well-stated and make the Vlad Chronicles great reading for all ages. Highly recommended for all collections, ages 4th grade and up.
Contains: mild violence, understated vampire attacks
Reviewed by: Sheila Shedd