Eighth Grade Bites (Chronicles of Vladimir Tod - Book 1)

To say Vlad Tod is different would be an understatement. For one thing he's half human, half vampire. And for another Vlad doesn't face the same kind of problems his fellow eighth grade peers face.

Sure he can barely form words when he's in close proximity to girl-of-his-dreams Meredith. Sure he gets picked on, shoved around, and bullied ... relentlessly. Sure he doesn't quite fit in, but let's be honest, what eight grader does?

No, those superficial "human" problems pale in comparison. His list of problems includes, but is not limited to, dealing with new-found vampire discoveries (he thought he could only read best friend Henry's mind since he bit him when they were eight years old, but as it turns out, he can read other minds as well), coping and accepting the untimely death of both his parents, making sure his razor-sharp fangs don't protrude at the wrong time, and wondering what exactly happened to Mr. Craig, his friend and teacher who has been missing for several days.

As if Vlad's list couldn't get longer or more complicated Mr. Otis Otis (no, I didn't stutter) suddenly appears in front of Mr. Craig's classroom. And he knows more than just English, he knows Vlad, and know what he is. He's out to get Vlad, but why?

Heather Brewer, author of The Chronicles of Vlad Tod: Eighth Grade Bites, hasn't only written a witty mystery, but she has written a refreshing vampire story. In a world where everyone lusts after the vampire bite, Brewer has created Vlad - a relatively well-adjusted, traditional vampire. Even though he doesn't sparkle in the sun there is still something alluring about Vlad. It's not his charm, but his wit and his honesty.

Brewer's writing is strong and solid, making it easy for readers to get a clear mental picture of the events that unfold within the pages. But what really drives Eighth Grade Bites are Brewer's well crafted characters. Each feed off (figuratively speaking) one another, and each fit into each others lives like puzzle pieces.

Take Henry, Vlad's best friend. Where Vlad is serious, Henry lightens the moon with his perfect comedic timing. And even though Vlad's a vampire, he's not the bloodsucking fiend people may expect (though he does like the notion of being a fiend) him to be. He's emotional, he's deep thinking, and honest.

Eighth Grade Bites was a great read. It was original, well realized, and fun. And readers will be happy to know that this is just the start of The Chronicles of Vlad Tod. There are four more titles in the series (the fourth being released September 21st) to satisfy readers thirst.

Vladimir Tod could be your average teenager. He has a crush on one of the pretty, popular girls, the school bullies enjoy pushing him around and hanging out with his best friend is much more fun than doing homework. He'd be pretty normal except... Vlad is a vampire.

After his human mother and vampire father were killed in a strange, unexplainable housefire he went to live with his mom's closest friend, Aunt Nelly. Clever and loving she makes sure her ward wears his sunblock and drinks his O positive but there are some things even she can't protect him from. When his English teacher goes missing and a substitute takes his place, Vlad begins to suspect that the sub has figured out his secret. As he tries to figure out the mystery behind the substitute Vlad begins to find out more about his vampire heritage and worse--that his parents death was no accident and he might be next!

Funny, light-hearted and at times touching, I really enjoyed this first installment in the Chronicles of Vladimir Tod series. Vlad is definitely a very likable character because though he's a vampire he's also very much a teen boy. His relationship with his guardian, Aunt Nelly, likely won't appeal to the young adult audience as much as his friendship with Henry but I thought it was a great dynamic. All too often we see orphaned characters taken in by cruel, unloving relatives and this change was really refreshing. In contrast Vlad and Henry's friendship is a study in opposites. Though very different from one another they make a good team.

Because the plot of this story is fairly easy to follow without any huge confusing twists I would definitely suggest it for a reluctant reader. The humor is clean but still entertaining too, which is sure to appeal to boys looking for a place to dip their toes into the raging vampire fiction trend without being choked by flowery, overly serious romantic themes. As a whole I thought the book was a terrific quick read that is definitely geared to the young adult audience but could appeal to moms (or dads) looking to read side-by-side with their young adult.

Vladimir Tod doesn't have much to look forward to in school. As a skinny pale boy in eighth grade, he is often subject to taunts and bullying. To make matters worse, the principal probably hates him and his crush probably likes his more popular best friend Henry. But puberty and teen angst aren't all Vlad has to worry about; in fact, those are the lesser of his problems because Vlad is only half human--the other half is vampire. The disappearance of a well-liked teacher and the appearance of not only a strange and nosy substitute teacher but also a mysterious and likely dangerous stranger alert Vlad that someone knows his secret--and is out to get him. But in order to fully understand what's happening to him in the present, Vlad has to drag up painful memories of the past and learn vital information about a vampire world he never knew existed before.

Eighth Grade Bites is a hilarious debut to an intriguing sounding vampire series that successfully combines supernatural dangers with the trials of being a teen. I just have to say that I love Vlad as the protagonist; he has emotional depth as well as determination and spunk, when he needs it. I really enjoyed reading alternately about Vlad's vampire mischief or woes and his "human" crushes on girls and struggles with being bullied. The plot is interesting enough, mostly told from Vlad's perspective thought with occasional flashes from other characters, with a nice balance between action and internal maturation. I truly enjoyed the unpredictability and suspenseful nature of the story as it kept me eagerly reading. The concept of a hidden vampire world isn't quite so unique because it's used in similar novels, and its background could've been better explained, but it is still an interesting addition that I hope to learn more about in the continuation of this series. Fast and funny, though a bit disappointingly short, Eighth Grade Bites is an excellent choice of vampire lore to read.

Readers who enjoyed Kimberly Pauley's Sucks to Be Me will want to start Brewer's vampire series, The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod. I can't wait to read more of Vlad's story in Ninth Grade Slays and the not-yet-released Tenth Grade Bleeds.

The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod is in short about an Eighth grade vampire. At first the book centers around the stresses of surviving as a vampire and regular teen angst, but things get more complicated when he uncovers some unexplained mysteries about his vampire father's past and the sub for his suddenly missing english teacher seems to know a little too much about him. Everything seems to point him to one question: who was his father? That's a short overview for all the new readers. the book in itself is very good and i recommend it for vampire fans and readers new to vamp books (although it's helpful if you at least like fantasy). It has an original and engaging plot line and mostly interesting characters, in addition to putting it's own twist on vampires themselves.

But one of the things that i regret about the book is that it never really takes the time to explain the vampire weaknesses (like, reaction to sunlight? they tell you he wears sunscreen, but not what happens if he doesn't). I also dislike the way his fangs grow and then shrink to normal size. oh, and the weakness to garlic; that never made sense to me. Why garlic? god knows... i also wish the romance in the book was actually moved along every now and then, but hey, maybe that's just a second book thing. I'm hopeful.

But, i did like the ending; it concludes enough that you're not killing yourself, but it leaves enough unexplained that you want to read the next book (which i have yet to do myself!). Altogether a worth while read for all!

Eighth Grade Bites

My book review is on a book called Eighth Grade Bites. The author is Heather Brewer. This book is about a kid who has a secret about his family and does not tell anyone. It takes place at school and home. The main character is Vladimir Todd. He is the protagonist which means he is a good guy. He is in middle school and one of the teachers knows his secret. Then, one day I think a teacher comes to his house for dinner and all he came was to know the secret about Vladimir. Then a couple of minutes later, the boy realizes that the teacher came to know his secret. The teacher admits that he came to know his secret. Also this book is kind of like a vampire book. I think this book was incredible. The genre is a mystery because everybody wants to know Vladimir's secret. I rate this a 9 because it is mystery and I like when they try to solve a puzzle. Also because it's about vampires. If you like mystery and if you want to know what Vladimir's secret is then you should read this mysterious vampire book. This book is a series book, the next book is called Ninth Grade Slays. If you read this book and find out his secret I think you might be surprised. This book is almost like Twilight so if you like Twilight then you should read this book. If you don't like vampire books or mystery book then you shouldn't read this book.

Vladimir Tod is like any normal teenage boy.

Except he's a vampire.

Junior high really stinks for thirteen year old Vladimir Tod. Bullies harass him, the principle is dogging him, and the girl he likes prefers his best friend. Oh, and Vlad has a secret: His mother was human, but his father was a vampire. With no idea of the extent of his powers and no one to teach him, Vlad struggles with his blood cravings and his enlarged fangs. When a strange substitute teacher begins to question him a little too closely, Vlad worries that his cover is about to be blown. But then he realizes he has a much bigger problem: He's being hunted by a vampire killer who is closing in... fast!

The characters were believable, and, more importantly, likeable. Vladimir Todd is your average teenage kid, who struggles with average teenage problems, except for the fact that he's a vampire. Sometimes you forget he's anything but human, and the fact that he snacks on packets of blood seems perfectly normal after a while. Brewer did an amazing job with her debut novel.

Plot-wise, it was unlike anything I'd ever read and that was ultimately refreshing. Truth be told, I was getting tired of vampire romance, so I was glad that this book has a larger, more complex and much more engaging plotline than most you'll find.

Amazing read. 5 stars.

Vladimir Tod might be your ordinary eighth grader, dodging bullies, crushing on the cutest girl in class and goofing around or playing video games with his best bud, Henry... but he's a vampire, or at least he thinks he is. His sensitivity to light, his need to feed on blood (or blood that's been carefully concealed inside regular food by his Aunt Nelly, a nurse), and his annoyance when his fangs start to show are the only indication that he's anything but a regular thirteen-year-old boy.

But when his English teachers disappears and a mysterious substitute shows up right away to take his place, Vlad slowly starts to discover just what he is and the world in which his now dead vampiric father lived and escaped from. And that world may not be so ready to receive Vlad as his curiosity might hope for.

This is a fun, light book, free from the tendency for teen vampire literature to veer into needless angst, but certainly not without its dark side, particularly when the vampire council of Elysia sends one of its own to tail Vlad and make him pay for his father's crime, namely revealing his vampire nature to the mortals and marrying one. The writing is a little awkward in places, but it doesn't take away from how enjoyable it is.

Eighth Grade Bites (Chronicles of Vladimir Tod, Book 1) by Heather Brewer is about Vladimir Tod, a 13-year-old who is a vampire because his father was a vampire, although his mother was human. Vlad is just trying to be as normal an 8th grader as possible, and without anyone but his best friend Henry knowing his secret. He only drinks blood that his aunt Nellie brings to him in the form of blood bags (that are about to expire) from the hospital - O positive is his favorite. He brings peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to lunch - okay, so there are capsules filled with blood in them - and gets bullied and called "goth boy" even though he is just naturally pale, what with being a vampire and all. I'll admit the idea of him dunking a chocolate chip cookie in a cup of microwaved blood made me a bit queasy. Now Vlad finds out that his parents who died under mysterious circumstances may have been murdered, and it looks like whoever killed them is after him too. Oh yeah, and there is the possibility that Vlad is destined to fulfill some great prophecy.

I gave this book three stars, because I'm honestly not sure if I should give it a two or a four. I always love a good supernatural read, especially one about vampires, so when I learned that this book was about a teenage vampire, I was intrigued. It was a step away from the previous vampire books I'd read, where the vampires are all dark and serious and brooding.

This book has a lot of faults. I found it shelved in the Teen section of the bookstore, which later surprised me. Despite being about teenagers, I'd decrease the reading level to maybe middle school or even elementary. The writing is very simplistic, the plot line reduced to a very basic form. EVERY character fits a stereotype so perfectly it's almost boring--the sidekick, the motherly figure, the evil villain. Everything a character says or does seems cliche, typical. As a teenager myself, I found Vlad and Henry and his friends all very flat, like sitcom characters.

Also, one thing that I thought hurt the plot was that, in Vlad's world, if someone says something, then it MUST be true. There is no explanation. If a bad guy says he's actually a good guy, then he's good. There are quite a few events in the story that don't make sense, especially the prologue.

BUT, DESPITE all that...I enjoyed the book. This book is FUN, and so if you don't analyze it too much, if you don't focus on whether the plot makes sense...then you CAN enjoy this book. I like Vlad. I like the idea of a character like Vlad. It's actually kind of refreshing that the book isn't very serious, because I know I can read it quickly and just have fun with it. I can laugh at the characters and their stereotypical dialogue, and I can laugh at all the quirky puns Vlad makes about being a teenage vampire (like the Smiley Fanged T-Shirt). I consider this book a bit of a guilty pleasure, because it's written for people much younger than me. But still, I plan to read the rest of the series, and if you're looking for a series that's just for fun and gets rid of all the complicated plot and heavy drama, then this is the one for you.

As an avid reader, I was interested in Eight Grade Bites after reading the description. There's so much potential in the book, but I feel that it's not put into effect. The plot is not woven well, and there's a clear lack of character development. However, one can empathize with Vlad and his angst. Reluctant readers shouldn't have so much an issue with the book, due to its simplicity. I do appreciate the vampire-themed parts. Bathory (from the Hungarian Elizabeth Bathory, killer who drank blood), D'Ablo (play on the Spanish word Diablo, meaning devil), Edgar Poe (the Gothic poet). Overall, if the story had more depth, it would be more enjoyable. I wouldn't go on to the second book, only because based on the preview, it seems like a copy of the first, with the new hunter and all.

This is a very quick book. Readers will zoom through it and then have many more in the series to look forward to.

I can see that this would have appeal to young readers - both boys and girls. Vlad is a likeable character and the supporting cast is fun.

I personally found it lacking. The story skipped along and didn't provide much depth. I wanted to know more so I could feel more. It didn't happen. Other elements were off or just bad - why couldn't the vampires find Vlad in that tiny town? Didn't one gal give D'Ablo his address?

The reviews on the other books seem to be better. I assume the writing and storylines get better.

I may read more. I may not.

Nonetheless, a great choice for young teens. They are sure to like Vlad, Henry and Mr. Otis.

Thirteen-year-old Vladimir Tod is being raised by "Aunt" Nelly, his mother's best friend. His human mother and vampire father were both killed in a fire, leaving their young vampire son an orphan. Life is not easy for Vlad...the school bullies harass him, the principal seems to have it in for him, and the girl he likes best and wants to ask to the dance seems to prefer his friend, Henry.

Aunt Nelly understands his problems and helps him to hide the fact that he is a vampire and must have fresh blood to survive. Vlad's best friend, Henry, is the only other person who knows his secret, although Vlad did bite Henry once when they were eight years old.

The one teacher that Vlad had real rapport with has disappeared and no one knows where he is. Vlad and Henry are determined to find out what happened to him. The substitute teacher begins to question Vlad too closely -- and there is just something strange about Mr. Otis Otis (yep...first name and last name are the same.) Vlad worries that Otis might suspect the truth, and then when Otis assigns vampires as Vlad's research project, and the teacher scribbles "I know your secret" across the bottom of his essay, he is really frightened.

Vlad discovers his father's journal in the attic and is learning about the reality of being a vampire and the powers that he may possess. Vlad also becomes convinced that there is a vampire killer in town, and that he is next on the killer's list. Things go from bad to worse when Aunt Nelly invites Otis to dinner and he confronts Vlad with what he knows.

There is some gross-out vampire stuff in this story. How about chocolate chip cookies dipped in blood? The gripping confrontation with the vampire horde at the climax of the novel is electrifying in this well plotted, exciting, supernatural adventure. I loved the great characters, and the fast action kept me reading most of the night, with my door firmly locked.

Reviewed by: Grandma Bev

With the glut of young adult vampire novels available today, I am usually hopeful that when I pick up a new one, it's going to be well written and at the very least, fun. Hopeful, but cautious; many times authors tend to jump on the bandwagon of the moment without regard for the nuances and flavor that created the sensation in the first place. Luckily for me (and the legions of other vampire addicts out there), The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod lives up to the hype and kept me thoroughly entertained throughout.

Vlad Tod is in eighth grade, which would be bad enough for an awkward adolescent if he wasn't also a vampire. Since Vlad's parents died, he has lived with his "aunt" Nelly, who is able to keep him supplied in blood through her job as a nurse. The only other person who knows of Vlad's condition is his best friend Henry; otherwise, most of Vlad's problems are of the every day middle school variety: being picked on by the school bullies, loving a girl from afar, and getting homework done. But things quickly change when a new substitute takes over when one of Vlad's favorite teachers goes missing; this sub seems to somehow know more about Vlad than he should, and Vlad finds this very unsettling. With the discovery of his father's diary, Vlad realizes his being a vampire is going to be darker and more dangerous than he'd known.

Vlad is a typical 8th grader, and that's one of the things that makes this book so engaging. While Vlad has a special "condition", he is also just worried about the regular things an adolescent would be. Vlad's relationship with Henry is entirely believable and funny, and his wistful longing for the beautiful Meredith is familiar territory for most young adults.

Ms. Brewer hits just the right balance of humor and suspense throughout the novel, and she spends the correct amount of time building tension and creating possibilities. The chapters that focus on the victims of the "bad" vampire are darkly written and chilling. While I found the climax a bit unrealistically lucky for Vlad, I can truthfully say that I am looking forward to reading more in this series. The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod is great fun as well as entertaining, and a welcome addition to the young adult vampiric genre.

This was kind of a refreshing read for me compared to what I have read lately. It is written in third person POV but it is done in a way that I almost felt like it was written in first person POV.
Eighth Grade Bites is a really good introduction to Vlad and his world. He feels like the outcast in not just the human world but the vampire world too. He has abilities that he barely knows anything about. He lives with a family friend after his parents mysteriously die in a house fire. What is strange about the fire that it was only one room that went up in flames, his parent's bedroom.
I did find it odd for Vlad to trust his new teacher Otis when his truth comes out so easily after having thought something else of him for so long. I was happy with the truth just found it odd that Vlad would believe him without question.
I am looking forward to reading more books in this series.

Junior high school really sucks for thirteen-year-old Vladimir Tod. Bullies harass him daily, the principal is on his case everyday, and the girl he really likes, likes his best friend Henry. On top of all that he has to hide his secret the fact that he is a bloodsucking creature of the night, a vampire. He lives with his Aunt Nelly, since his parents died in a house fire. When Mr. Craig disappears Vlad is determined to find him, but when he gets his essay back from his substitute teacher he finds a note scribbled at the bottom, "I know your secret". So Vlad must locate his teacher, keep away from the principal, resist the bullies' invitations to "bite me", and to get a dance with Meredith before his secret is exposed to the whole world. Will he succeed and save himself at the same time?

Heather Brewer writes for young adult readers who are fascinated by mythical creatures. She is not your typical book writer. She dances under full moons, and she wore black all the time because she is a Goth. She writes in first person and her books are suspensfully interesting.

So join Vladimir Todd as he protects himself from danger and the fear of having his secret exposed to the whole world. This is a well paced, creepy, and hilarious non-fiction book for young adult readers. So next time you want to read about vampires, read this book, you might sink your teeth into it.

Ian

Vladimir Tod (Vlad) is a seemingly normal 14 year old eighth grader, with a twist... he's actually the son of a Vampire man named Tomas and a human mother, Mellina. 3 years ago his parents were killed in a house fire that forced Vlad to have to live with his Mother's best friend, Nelly, a nurse who for all intents and purposes is Vlad's Aunt. Nelly spends a great deal of time and effort procuring blood from the hospital so that Vlad can appear as normal as possible eating his food within the school walls and not alerting his peers to the fact that he is different from them, despite his pale appearance (kept up by healthy amounts of sunblock). Vlad attends school, he plays video games with his best friend, Henry, and he has a crush on the prettiest girl in school, Meredith.

Seems normal, right? Except for the fact that someone is killing people in the small town of Bathory, where Vlad lives, and the culprit seems to be a group of vampires hellbent on the destruction of Vlad. No worries there though.

Brewer creates a fun, albeit quick, read with the first of the Chronicles of Vladimir Tod. I enjoyed reading it, though I must confess the looming story about the Elysian vampires was more of an interest point to me than Vlad's angst about school, girls, the like. Still, I love that Brewer invented that Vampires were the reason civilization had advanced, built cities, discovered Latin and chess.. And most importantly, Playstation. But they can keep their Corporate America. It was a fun read though. I will read the sequel.

Vladimir Tod is not like his fellow eighth graders. His idea of a snack consists of bagged blood a la CapriSun style and dipping chocolate chip cookies into blood.

Vlad is a teenage vampire. But unlike the usual stereotype vampires, he can go out in the sun(as long as he wears sunscreen).

But he's also like so many boys his age in that he's crushing on Meredith, who might have the hots for his best friend Henry and he hates being called on in class.

Add a missing teacher, a substitute teacher who's idea of an assignment deals with supernatural beings(hey, I wish I had him as my eighth grade teacher!), and the mystery surrounding his parents deaths. Vlad finds an old journal that might give him hints on his parents death. But he needs to watch out for his new teacher Mr. Otis Otis as he feels he might know more than he's letting on. But who can Vlad trust? And who will believe him? He needs to find answers soon or else he might end up like his parents...dead.

Heather Brewer does a great job showing the reader a thirteen-year-old boy who happens to be a vampire. I love how she doesn't fall back on the old cliches and stereotypes--these vampires can go out in the sun. And the whole idea of the blood bags gives a whole new meaning to snack time. This is a fun, fast-paced read that is sure to please most teens. I can't wait to read the sequel.

Vladimir Tod is your average thirteen-year-old...vampire. He may have to sneak blood in his lunch and make sure his garlic allergy is on file with the school, but he also has to pass that pop quiz in history.

Ever since the death of his parents, Vlad has been living with his Aunt Nelly. No one can explain exactly what caused the fire that killed his parents, and Vlad's not quite ready to give up looking for answers. He's not the only one seeking answers though. Suddenly, one of Vlad's teachers has gone missing. Vlad's never met a vampire aside from his father, but he's sure that one is behind the disappearance of his teacher. He's even starting to suspect it may be the new teacher, Mr. Otis.

Vlad drags his best friend, Henry, the only other human to know his secret, in on his investigation. After snooping through his old house, Vlad comes across an old journal kept by his father. Is he ready for what he'll find in its pages? Will it hold the answers he so desperately seeks?

EIGHTH GRADE BITES is a great start to a new series. The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod look to be promising indeed. Vlad is a very sympathetic character. He's been through a lot at a young age. He's dealing with typical teenage angst as well as hiding a pretty serious secret. Henry is the kind of best friend every teenager needs. He sticks with Vlad no matter how dangerous the situation seems. Aunt Nelly is the best guardian a vampire could have. She cares deeply for Vlad, and she protects his secret in ingenious ways. Heather Brewer has a wonderful debut here. I've never considered myself a fan of young adult titles, but she's sucked me in and I can't wait to read more about Vladimir Tod.

[...]

This novel introduces us to Vladimir Tod, who is a student in Junior High but, not just any student - he is half human and half vampire.

His human mother and vampire father were killed in a fire, leaving him to be raised by his Aunt Nellie. Life in Junior High really does bite for Vlad - bullies harrass him, the principal stays on his case, and the one girl who he adores seems more interested in his friend, Henry.

Vlad struggles with the urge to have blood, so his Aunt Nellie furnishes him with blood bags that she brings home from the hospital where she works. Henry knows Vlad's secret and remains close by his side.

Vlad's real troubles begin when his favorite teacher becomes missing and a substitute teacher steps in named: Mr. Otis. He seems to be "too interested" in Vlad and assigns him to do a project on vampires, leaving him a message stating: "I know your secret."

If you like vamps, you will like this story.

Vladimir Tod has all the problems of a regular eighth grader- he has a crush on the prettiest girl in class but is too afraid to ask her out, and finds it hard to fit in and is beat up by the bullies of his class. Oh, and did we mention that he's a vampire too? So added on is the pressure of hiding his true self completely, but that all changes and is jeopardized when a substitute teacher arrives after the mysterious disappearance of his regular teacher. Can Vlad trust this new sub teacher?

The suspense in this book propels the reader through the story, and it's a downer when you find yourself at the end! This was a fantastic book that contained bits of horror, comedy, and sentimental moments, along with the suspense. A highly recommended book, and a sequel is on its way for 2008, titled Ninth Grade Slays!

After endless nagging to read Eighth Grade Bites by Heather Brewer from a friend, I finally got around to it. I'd rate it 4 out of 5 stars; it's a rare gem in the world of bad vampire fiction. *coughTwilightcough*

Vladimir (also known as Vlad) Tod is a fourteen-year-old boy living in the suburban town of Bathory with his Aunt Nelly. He goes to junior high, has a best friend, and plays video games. What separates him from any other teenage boy? He's a half-vampire.

After his previous English teacher, Mr. Craig, disappearing, a mysterious stranger named Mr. Otis turns up as a replacement. He proceeds to baffle Vlad with the way he seems to know more than he should about him, including setting an assignment for Vlad about vampires.

Vlad does some digging in his late parent's house, which hasn't been touched ever since they perished in a freak house fire three years back. He discovers his father's journal in the attic, and slowly begins to put some pieces together about what happened to his parents and Mr. Craig- they didn't just disappear or die in an accident. Mr. Otis killed them.

All of a sudden, Vlad and his best friend Henry are drawn into vampire society and the world of Elysia, as well as a certain vampire with more power than Vlad could have ever imagined- and an extremely dangerous enemy.

*** SPOILER ALERT***

I have to admit that Eighth Grade Bites isn't my favorite Vladimir Tod book- that honor would have to go to Ninth Grade Slays. It's a good book to start off the series, but I didn't feel it was strong enough to function independently. The writing style here was also rather poor, but since it was Heather Brewer's first novel, I'll cut her a bit of slack on that one.

The plot twist of Mr. Otis being Vlad's uncle was brilliantly executed, as well as the battle with D'Ablo and the way Elysia was corrupted. Henry being Vlad's drudge comes in handy during the later books too. So I think this book was very good at background information.

Nelly was a nice addition, but needs a bit more development to be a good character in her own right. Right now, she seems to be functioning as a plot device more than as a person.

Vlad's teenage romance with Meredith Brookstone was very cute and well-portrayed, and took the edge off of the angst in the story. Both of them seem well-matched for each other.

Eighth Grade Bites is a fairly good stepping stone for the rest of the series, which is much more mature than the first book. The story is a bit too slowly paced for my liking, but it had enough substance to keep me reading, as well as useful tidbits on vampire society and some wonderful plot twists. I probably wouldn't have enjoyed it as much if it were a single book and not part of a series, however.

Eighth Grade Bites is the story of Vladimir Tod. My twin recommended this book a while ago but it took me a while to move it up my to-read list. I think the fact that he was in the eighth grade put me off, but let me say, I was wrong. I like that the story is told from a male vampire's point of view.

I think Vlad is really cute but he doesn't realize it. His parents died three years ago and he now lives with his aunt Nelly, who is human. He gets picked on by bullies, is shy, and doesn't feed from humans normally. When Vlad was eight he bit his best friend Henry but he apologized and they continue to be best friends. Nelly prepares his lunches with hidden blood packets that she gets from the blood bank. He simply wants to find a way to be normal in a human world. I really enjoyed the book and look forward to the rest of the series.

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This book is definitely YA for middle school age and such. Though there was a death, but it wasn't gory or anything like that. The book is about an 8th grade vampire boy who has only two people who know about his vampirism and he thinks he's the only one. It's a short book and I believe it's setting up for the full story. It was a good book and for middle school age written well. I enjoyed the dynamic between Vlad and his best friend Henry. Everything was pretty easy to follow and the story was good.

Vladimir Tod lived in the small town of Bathory. He lived with his Aunt Nelly. Although, Nelly wasnt his aunt at all. She was actually a good friend of his mothers. Vlad's parents had been murdered three years before the book took place. While Vlad's mother was a human, his father was a vampire. It wasn't suppose to turn out that Vlad ended up with his fathers vampire genes, but it happened. The only people who had known Vlad's secret were Nelly and Vlad's best friend Henry. While soon enough another few people are bound to find out. Around the time of Haloween Vlad's english teacher went missing. His substitute teacher seemed a bit to into Vlad. It turns out Vlad and his substitue teacher, Mr.Otis,had more in common then meets the eye. Mr.Otis was a bit peculiar. He was much into mythology and mytholigal creatures, such werewolves, witches,and vampires. Henry is a popular boy who has been friends with Vlad for many years. Henry is the only human Vlad has ever bitten. Nelly worked in a hospital and everytime the hospital was due to be getting rid of some blood Nelly was sure to bring as much of it home for Vladimir to snack on. As Vlad, Otis and Henry travel to see the Vampire Council to save Nelly, Vlad has an encounter with D'Ablo. D'Ablo had been friends with Vlad's father but as soon as his father had left the council because he had fallen in love with a human D'Ablo wanted Tomas, Vlad's dad,and Vlad dead! He only wanted Vlad dead because he was the sort of his kind. Half human half vampire, with vampire powers! While if Vlad ends up dead isn't for me to tell.

I was hesitant about reading this series as I expected it to be directed too much toward the young. While it is a teen series I did enjoy it. The story line was enough to keep me reading, and I will be reading the rest of the series and see what other trouble Mr. Tod will be getting into.

As a high school English teacher, I am always interested in discovering a fresh take on the universally intriguing topic of vampires. My students love series like TWILIGHT and VAMPIRE ACADEMY, but I always feel a little sorry for the boys who don't have a character to identify with. I loved that Heather Brewer was able to take Vladimir Tod and make him into a character like any Jr. High or High School student. Who hasn't felt like an outcast? Who hasn't had a crush but didn't know how to say the right words to make it work? I am pleased to say that many of my male students have already picked up the series. They say they like EIGHTH GRADE BITES because it was easy to read and from a boys perspective. I enjoyed it and so did they.

I wanted so desperately to like this book - I work with books for a living and I'm always on the look out for good reads for younger teens, especially ones that appeal to boys. So after hearing so many good things about this series I decided to give this a shot. The premise and characters all sounded so fun and the book started out with a definite bang but sadly that's all it really has going for it.

I wish I could give this book two reviews - one for how I think it should be viewed in the eyes of parents and teachers looking to recommend it and one for how it stands up on it's own. For adults looking for good vampire fiction for kids, this does make a very good choice. And with so much vampire fiction on the market being targeted at young girls its nice to see a male alternative pop up. I suspect this book would also make a good selection for reluctant readers at a middle school level - the book keeps it's page count low and the writing styling makes it easy to follow along with for younger teens who aren't yet doing so well with longer chapter books.

However for anyone outside of it's target demographic this book is a hot mess - it's biggest flaw being how both characters and plot are woefully underdeveloped - after finishing this book I could tell you a host a facts about the people populating its pages and yet I couldn't tell you why they felt the way that they did or even how they came by such a decision. We know that Vlad has a crush on a girl in his class but she seems to not function at all out side of this role - other than the fact that she had blue eyes we know nothing about her other than Vlad loves her. What is her personality like? Why does Vlad like her so much that he's rendered speechless in her presence? Is she kind? Smart? I know she has pink lips because they're mentioned 100 times but I know nothing else beyond the color of her lip balm and skirts. This doesn't exactly make for a heart pounding romance.

And everything else in the book seems to follow suit in the same way. Characters are around to move the non existent plot foreword rather than flesh out anything resembling an interesting story line. The adults bumble, the vampires are painfully bland and stupid and the dialog between the teenagers is so stilted that it sounds as if it were ripped from some early 90's So You're Going Through Puberty video. All throughout the book I found myself continually wondering if I wasn't reading a badly abridged copy since the characters came to such abrupt decisions and information that was crucial to the story line was dropped so abruptly in that it was distracting to encounter it.

The writing its self is also incredibly clunky and at times it hinders more than it helps. From the dedication on the opening page one would have thought that the writer would have learned her lessons from On Writing but apparently not. And so we're treated to such clunky instances of "I hate it!" Vlad seethed and "X did this and then X did this again before X picked up the phone and reminded us again his name was x" Jesus! Glad to see she doesn't think her audience is so dumb that she has to remind us of a character's name three times in the same sentence or to tell us that if someone is yelling how much they hate something that must mean that they're seething.

And on top of all this the book was a mess of technical facts and keeping it's own mythology straight. Vlad eats raw hamburger to "get at the blood" and yet even third graders know that the pink juice in raw meet isn't blood. His lunches are normal twinkies stuffed with "carefully injected blood capsules" when it seems so much easier to just bring a thermos. At the end of the book he gets a tattoo and yet no one seems to notice it and/or think it odd a 14 year old has such a marking in a completely conspicuous place as his wrist.

Ah, well, I know I've gone off the deep end of a rant now - there's just so much to nit pick at in this book. Honestly I can't believe an editor actually took a look at this before publication - there are just too many gaping holes in the plot for anyone to take this seriously.

So yes, tweens and mature children will love this book and perhaps rightfully so. But for anyone above 15 it just becomes insulting to your intelligence after awhile to keep reading.

Eighth Grade Bites is a really great book! I think it is phenomenal that the name of this certain vampire, Vladimir Tod, has his name set in older times. My favorite part in this book is where Otis Otis tells Vlad that he is his uncle and When Nelly is captured. WOW! I can't give away too much for those who haven't read it. The only thing I really can say is that it is SO much different from Twilight. I think Eighth Grade Bites is a lot more graphic in the ways Vlad has to live. If anyone found out that Nelly takes bags of blood from the hospital she could be arrested for theft. It's really dramatic in parts where Vlad touches the Glyph on the front of his father's Journal and it opens! Also when he goes to his missing neighbor's house and finds Otis Otis's hat on the hat rack! Is he there?!?!? He also finds the Glyph on the porch which means protection. I don't want to ruin this for anyone who wants to read it. I can't wait to read 9th grade Slays and 10th Grade Bleeds!! Yay!!

As a high school English teacher, I am always interested in discovering a fresh take on the universally intriguing topic of vampires. My students love series like TWILIGHT and VAMPIRE ACADEMY, but I always feel a little sorry for the boys who don't have a character to identify with. I loved that Heather Brewer was able to take Vladimir Tod and make him into a character like any Jr. High or High School student. Who hasn't felt like an outcast? Who hasn't had a crush but didn't know how to say the right words to make it work? I am pleased to say that many of my male students have already picked up the series. They say they like EIGHTH GRADE BITES because it was easy to read and from a boys perspective. I enjoyed it and so did they.

I wanted so desperately to like this book - I work with books for a living and I'm always on the look out for good reads for younger teens, especially ones that appeal to boys. So after hearing so many good things about this series I decided to give this a shot. The premise and characters all sounded so fun and the book started out with a definite bang but sadly that's all it really has going for it.

I wish I could give this book two reviews - one for how I think it should be viewed in the eyes of parents and teachers looking to recommend it and one for how it stands up on it's own. For adults looking for good vampire fiction for kids, this does make a very good choice. And with so much vampire fiction on the market being targeted at young girls its nice to see a male alternative pop up. I suspect this book would also make a good selection for reluctant readers at a middle school level - the book keeps it's page count low and the writing styling makes it easy to follow along with for younger teens who aren't yet doing so well with longer chapter books.

However for anyone outside of it's target demographic this book is a hot mess - it's biggest flaw being how both characters and plot are woefully underdeveloped - after finishing this book I could tell you a host a facts about the people populating its pages and yet I couldn't tell you why they felt the way that they did or even how they came by such a decision. We know that Vlad has a crush on a girl in his class but she seems to not function at all out side of this role - other than the fact that she had blue eyes we know nothing about her other than Vlad loves her. What is her personality like? Why does Vlad like her so much that he's rendered speechless in her presence? Is she kind? Smart? I know she has pink lips because they're mentioned 100 times but I know nothing else beyond the color of her lip balm and skirts. This doesn't exactly make for a heart pounding romance.

And everything else in the book seems to follow suit in the same way. Characters are around to move the non existent plot foreword rather than flesh out anything resembling an interesting story line. The adults bumble, the vampires are painfully bland and stupid and the dialog between the teenagers is so stilted that it sounds as if it were ripped from some early 90's So You're Going Through Puberty video. All throughout the book I found myself continually wondering if I wasn't reading a badly abridged copy since the characters came to such abrupt decisions and information that was crucial to the story line was dropped so abruptly in that it was distracting to encounter it.

The writing its self is also incredibly clunky and at times it hinders more than it helps. From the dedication on the opening page one would have thought that the writer would have learned her lessons from On Writing but apparently not. And so we're treated to such clunky instances of "I hate it!" Vlad seethed and "X did this and then X did this again before X picked up the phone and reminded us again his name was x" Jesus! Glad to see she doesn't think her audience is so dumb that she has to remind us of a character's name three times in the same sentence or to tell us that if someone is yelling how much they hate something that must mean that they're seething.

And on top of all this the book was a mess of technical facts and keeping it's own mythology straight. Vlad eats raw hamburger to "get at the blood" and yet even third graders know that the pink juice in raw meet isn't blood. His lunches are normal twinkies stuffed with "carefully injected blood capsules" when it seems so much easier to just bring a thermos. At the end of the book he gets a tattoo and yet no one seems to notice it and/or think it odd a 14 year old has such a marking in a completely conspicuous place as his wrist.

Ah, well, I know I've gone off the deep end of a rant now - there's just so much to nit pick at in this book. Honestly I can't believe an editor actually took a look at this before publication - there are just too many gaping holes in the plot for anyone to take this seriously.

So yes, tweens and mature children will love this book and perhaps rightfully so. But for anyone above 15 it just becomes insulting to your intelligence after awhile to keep reading.

THIS BOOK WAS AWESOME!!! I highly recomend it to anyone who likes reading fiction, about vampires, or both! Dont listen to the people who give bad reviews about it. They're idiots. You will not be dissappointed if you read this book. its great for people of all ages. Except for the really little kiddies. This book is great for middl schoolers. If you are dissappointed about this book, there is somehing wrong with your brain. ( Just Kidding! :) )

Most people think that this is like twilight before tthey read it. I is a new type of book with a huge plot and the end of each book makes you wanting more of Vlad and his loveabl team/friends. This is the first and one of the best books in the saga. If you are guy you would like this more than if you are a girl but it is good for everyone.

this book is so funny I and interesting, the character development so good that I read it in less than 3 hours. (couldn't stop reading). It's about a 14 year old boy who is half human, half vampire, and in junior high. He tries to fit in with the other kids but has to hide blood pills in normal food and where suntan lotion during the day.

He finds that he isn't alone in the world, but that other vamps don't seem to like his existence much.

Sorta a vampire Harry Potter. Check it out.

This book was really easy to read.Elementary reading even though it is abour a middle schooler.It was a quite and light book.I wish Vlad was more emo|goth instead of seeming like he was just beacause he was a vampire.

It's really good, the action, mystery, suspense and humor. But then I just gave it 3 stars.
I just finished the second book and decided to do reviews. The first book was not as good as the second! Aren't all first books supposed to be good?
I would like to recommend this book if you like Twilight or Harry Potter.

I really enjoyed reading this book because its like no other that I ever read. I love to read books about vampires, and this one is my favorite. Some might say that Heather Brewer is trying to copy Stephanie Myer,...well shes NOT. This book is from a vampires point of view while in Twilight their point of view is from people around him. I, a seventh grade girl, truly belives that if you buy this book, you will never regret it.

This is a terrific first book for the series. Vlad is someone almost every eighth grader can relate to in some way. The characters and Vlad's history develop quickly and smoothly into a story that kept my attention until the very end.

The main character is very good-hearted, but a bit of a sissy. He does take action with people really and he's half-vampire.

I like how he tries to blend in to every day life; he always (barely) not getting caught. The romance is strong but not over-the-top. As a teen reader, it's overall kinda sissified but the ending is really good. That's important.

This is an excellent book for fiction readers. I think this book should not just be recomended for 8th Graders, I think it is an excellent book for readers ages 9-15 readers. Not a waste of money at all. Get this book or read it any way you can

I have almost read every vamp book ever. I thought this one was unique because he's in 8th Grade and I can relate at my school I'm the 8th grade goth loner kid. I know what it's like to be bullied because you're different and I have a crush on the most popular kid at school.

I absolutley loved this book. Since vampires are all the rage these days, people are reading books based on ones life as a vampire or something similar to that matter. For people who don't like reading big bulky 500 page books like Twilight, I would definatly recommened this series. It is easy to follow and keeps you interested unlike Twilight.

i never thought id really get into a vampire book but brewer proved me wrong. i love the fluid way she wrote about tod leaving you with the right questions and right answers. great read. already on to the next one.