38. Vampire High by Douglas Rees

Vampire High by Douglas Rees
ISBN: 044023834
Random House Children’s Books, New York, 2003
226 pages

Teaser: After failing out of the local public school, Cody enrolls in a private magnet school, soon to find out most of his classmates are vampires.

Summary: It starts out with Cody failing all of his classes for not even turning in his homework or showing up to class. Cody was not adjusting to the recent move and his parents blamed each other that they hadn’t stayed back in California. His parents debate between a Catholic School and Vlad Dracul, where a friend’s daughter attends. Cody quickly finds out that water polo is the only period that he even need try. He soon finds out that his tall, pale classmates are nearly all vampires, who hate water as much as they hate the daylight. If playing water polo keeps him passing his classes and parents happy, Cody will be happy to play. Cody soon falls for a vampire princess and how to manipulate his teachers into straight A’s. Finally Cody take helps from Justin in return for saving his life and begins to try in his classes and starts earning real grades. Justin encourages Cody to try and the value of earning real grade earns him the respect of girls and his teachers.

Evaluation: I liked the book for its humor, building friendships and use of strategy. Cody comes in as a dumb kid who can’t even turn in his homework, to the one who saves the school. I found the flow of the book to keep you interested. It had a bit of excitement, romance, bullies, twists and turns. It was a good read and there are more in the series as Cody grows up and moves along.

Challenge issues and age recommendation: It deals with cheating, cutting corners and romance that may not be for everyone. Cody also talks about wanting to kill himself and life not being worth living as her ponders becoming a vampire himself. I would recommend this book for readers 10 and up. If you like vampire type genre, you will like this series and its content.