Vampire Island

August 20, 2007
Griffin’s (Witch Twins
) goes in for ghoulish humor with this tale of three siblings who are “fruit-bat vampire hybrids” living in Manhattan and posing as ordinary children. Their parents, who now earn unexpectedly good incomes by walking dogs (“because all dogs were so obedient under their instinctive care”) and play in a rock band called the Dead Ringers, whisked them out of the Old World four years earlier to escape dangerous pureblood vampires. But Maddy, the middle child whose predatory instincts are undiluted despite her impure bloodlines, correctly suspects that their mysterious new neighbors are purebred vampires from the Old World. Readers will know within a few chapters whether they will find the story gross (Maddy snags a Japanese water bug with her tongue) or very funny (when the elegant neighbors finally trap Maddy and plan to “taste” her even though her fruit-hybrid blood will probably be too sour, they explain their need to sample her because “You are simply the most awful creature Nigel and I have ever encountered”). Meanwhile, handsome brother Hudson flies over Central Park at night and uses terror tactics to launch a recycling program at school; and superstrong older sister Lexie spouts poetry and idolizes Jim Morrison, while her best friend seems more than a little unearthly. This one will win (or lose) its audience on the sheer brazenness of the plot. Ages 9-up.

August 1, 2007
Gr 3-6-The Livingstones are vegetarian vampire hybrids, forsaking fresh blood and the immortality it provides for a diet more in keeping with their fruit-bat heritage. They have relocated from the Old World to New York City, and adjusting to a "normal" life is not easy for the children. With her supernatural strength and penchant for quoting tragic poets, 13-year-old Lexie sticks out at an age when abnormality is seldom tolerated among peers, and pines hopelessly for her crush, Dylan. Maddy, 11, is convinced that their new neighbors are pureblood vampires who've not given up the old ways, though, ironically, she herself is having trouble sticking to an all-fruit diet. Nine-year-old Hudson, the only sibling who is still able to transform into a bat, believes his destiny is to save the environment, but his arrogance and tendency to slip into archaic speech make winning classmates to his cause difficult. Alternating chapters told from each youngster's point of view keep the action moving quickly. Though the book is almost too slim to support three separate story lines, the siblings are likable characters, the writing is clever and descriptive, and a couple of interesting tidbits are dropped for potential sequels. A fun, light twist on the horror genre in the vein of James Howe's "Bunnicula" tales (S & S)."Christi Voth, Parker Library, CO"

Copyright 2007 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 1, 2007
Goths-in-training will be delighted with Griffins tale of hybrid vampirefruit bat siblings in Manhattan. Though New Yorkers will get more of the in-jokes, even those unfamiliar with the city will appreciate the adventures of 13-year-old Lexington, 11-year-old Madison, and 9-year-old Hudson. After quitting the Old World (Europe) and relinquishing some of their powers, each preserves different and fascinating vampiric and/or bat-related traits. The siblings main goals are to rid the neighborhood of the pure-blooded vampires across the street; get the students of P.S. 42 to take recycling more seriously; and develop some social graces and make some friends. All missions are accomplished, with a twist at the end that begs for a sequel. Character development is minimal, but fang-in-cheek jokes carry the swift-moving plot. Too old for Bunnicula? Heres a cuddly, friendly vampire story with nary a (human) death.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2007, American Library Association.)