Skip to main content

A Taste for Red

By

A Taste for Red
by Lewis Harris
169 pages
juvenile fiction
Boston : Clarion Books, 2009

Svetlana (formerly known as Stephanie) is having some trouble adjusting to public school after being homeschooled her whole life. To make things more interesting, Svetlana is convinced she is a vampire. But don't believe any of those foolish stereotypes you hear about vampires, they just aren't accurate. Svetlana only eats red foods (they just taste better). She also sleeps underneath her bed (vampires do like to feel confined, but a coffin is just a little ridiculous)! And she definitely has ESP (didn't you know, vampires can read your mind)! Svetlana quickly determines that her beautiful science teacher is a vampire too? But will they be allies or enemies?

This is a strange little book that I haven't decided if I like or not. Svetlana is an intriguing character as is Ms. Bones her neighbor. Other characters I could've done without. The storyline was an interesting mix of fantasy, mystery and reality, yet it didn't always seem to mesh together. It does appear that this is the first of a series yet I am pretty sure I will not be coming back for more. However, kids who can't get enough of vampire stories will probably enjoy A Taste for Red and eagerly await any sequels.
Labels:

Comments

Ms. Yingling said…
Good to hear your take on this. I'll read it, but felt the same way when I read the description. Have you read Hautman's Sweetblood? Definitely realistic, but sort of the same theme of a girl thinking that she is a vampire (in order to explain her diabetes symptoms).
September 30, 2009 at 4:12 AM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

An ABC of Flowers

By
An ABC of Flowers   by Jutta Hilpuesch New York, NY : Philomel Books, [2019] It turns out there really is a flower for every letter. This sweet book has a photograph of every flower and  a sweet cartoon illustration to go along with it. All your favorite flowers are here (forget-me-nots, mums, and sunflowers), along with some you probably haven't heard of before (billy ball, kalanchoe, xeranthemum?).  This is a perfect book for reading together, and readers of any age will enjoy every page. Don't miss this great springtime alphabet book. 
Post a Comment
Read more

Display: Out of this World Books Found Here

By
Hello By Aiko Ikegami Berkeley, CA: Creston Books, 2019. Picture book. In this wordless picture book, an alien visits Earth, makes friends with a little girl, and returns to his home planet to share his experiences. - Publisher We Are Definitely Human By X. Fang Toronto: Tundra Books, 2024. Picture book. When three mysterious visitors from "Europe" crash-land in Mr. Li's field, he does what any good host would: he invites them back to his farmhouse and offers to help fix up their "car". No, there's nothing strange about these guests at all. Just like other humans, they "make business", "play sportsball" and "wear hat". As the townsfolk also come to the aid of the visitors and the gathering turns into a little party, interplanetary relations reach an all-time high. - Publisher Greetings Floof! Written by C.J. Hong Illustrated by A.J. Smith Toronto: Kids Can Press, 2024. Picture book. Floof from planet Ploof has landed! And it...
Post a Comment
Read more

If You Like...Dungeons and Dragons

By
Great news for adventurous, imaginative tweens: we are starting a Dungeons & Dragons program! Nine- to twelve-year-olds are invited to join a tabletop role playing quest in the Story Room on Monday September 14 from 6:30-8:00PM. All experience levels are welcome. Registration opens on September 1 at 9:00AM. In the meantime, here are some books to inspire your upcoming campaign!  The Lionharts Written and Illustrated by Mike Lawrence New York : Abrams Fanfare, 2026. J Comic. 233 pages. The Lionhart family is in the business of adventuring. Alder and Flynt are desperate to be included in the dragon-fighting and monster-slaying quests. When their parents Lenna and Gerard go missing after accepting a mysterious job, the boys set out to save them, soon followed by their famous questing Grammy and Baba to help keep Alder and Flynt out of trouble. The journey brings challenges and opportunities, magic and mystery, but it also reveals a troubling family secret that threatens to tear th...
Post a Comment
Read more