Fat Vampire by Adam Rex

If you are looking for another typical novel about the same old vampires and werewolves, don't read this "never coming of age story" by Adam Rex.  

Doug was minding his own business as a high school student -- trying to be the funny kid to take the attention away from being the weird kid or the fat kid -- when he was attacked by a vampire (or a vampire wolf?).  Now, with the help of his best friend (and primary secret-keeper) Jay, he's on the hunt for blood anywhere he can get it . . . except he hasn't mastered the whole attacking humans thing and he's pretty sure he doesn't want to, unless he can find a willing participant in the right kind of girl.  

Adam Rex writes a satirical, humorous, quirky novel about a vampire who certainly does not represent the sparkling, fit, gorgeous vampire image to which many contemporary readers have become accustomed.  Doug isn't even that funny.  Or that nice most of the time.  He's pretty much just a typical high school kid, never quite having a firm grip on what he wants or what's expected of him.  At times, the author's attempts at humor are tiring, but for the most part this novel is a laugh-out-loud account of the bizarre, unrealistic world of vampires living among us.  Recommended to anyone -- especially boys -- looking for something out of the ordinary, or something that doesn't ask the reader to take anything too seriously.

Call number: YA REX (Teen Room)

Reviewed by kate the librarian.

Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey

Jessica Packwood is a completely normal teenager about to start her senior year of high school, and is very excited about turning 18, her developing crush on Jake, and Math League. The one thing freaking her out is the new foreign guy who she swears called her "Antanasia." Jessica knows that she was adopted and that her birth name is Antanasia, but NO ONE else (besides her adoptive parents) knows that, not even her best friend Melinda. What freaks her out even more is when Lucius Vladescu moves onto her parents' property as a foreign exchange student. He tells Jessica that he is a vampire . . . and so is she! She is descended from Romanian vampire royalty and they are destined to be married because of some pact that was signed when they were infants, before their parents were killed, to ensure peace between their families! What?! He's crazy, right?

This book is yet another title on the growing list of books highlighting the current popularity of vampires. If you can keep in mind that Jessica is NOT Bella, and Lucius is NOT Edward (althoug he's certainly strong and handsome and sensual), and that the setting is rural Pennsylvania, and not Forks, Washington . . . well, if you can do that, then you will be able to appreciate this story's sense of humor and interesting cast of characters, even if it isn't originial or particulary well flushed-out. There's just something about a vampire love story that's hard not to get sucked into (no pun intended)!

Recommended to teen girls.
Call number: YA FANTASKEY (Teen Room)

Reviewed by kate the librarian

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer

This book states many repetitive themes in the last three books of the Twilight series. Unlike J. K. Rowling and Stephen King, Stephenie Meyer's unoriginality destroys her cycle and therefor diminishes the reputation of her book, Breaking Dawn.

Reviewed by Edward, age 16

New Moon by Stephenie Meyer

I'm reading the second book of the Twilight series, New Moon. It's a great book and very entertaining. I highly recommend this series to all young adults.

Call number: YA Meyer (Teen Room)

Reviewed by Caroline, age 12

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

I recently read the book Twilight by Stephenie Meyer, the first in a four-book series. In my opinion, it wasw a very good book and I recommend it to young teenagers. Ms. Meyer has a very creative mind and I can't wait to continue the series.

Call number: YA MEYER (Teen Room, where you'll find the entire series)

Reviewed by Caroline, age 12