| Eighth Grade Bites | |
|---|---|
| Author(s) | Heather Brewer |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Chronicles Of Vladimir Tod (Book One) |
| Genre(s) | Fantasy, Vampire, Young adult |
| Publisher | Dutton |
| Publication date | August 16, 2007 (paperback) |
| Media type | Print (hardback |
| Pages | 182 (hardcover) |
| Followed by | Ninth Grade Slays |
Eighth Grade Bites is a novel written by Heather Brewer, centered on its main character Vladimir Tod, a vampire from birth.
Contents |
Life is not easy for any thirteen-year-old, but when your mother was a human and your father was a vampire, and they were both killed in a fire, it's especially hard. The school bullies harass Vlad, the principal seems to have it in for him, and his dream girl, Meredith, seems to prefer his friend, Henry.
Vlad's mother's long time friend, Nelly, is raising him, and she understands his problems and helps him to hide the fact that he is a vampire and must have blood to survive. Vlad's best friend, Henry is the only other person who knows his secret, and Vlad bit Henry once when they were eight years old, making Henry his drudge (someone who is forced to the will of a vampire).
Vladimir has real rapport with one teacher, but that teacher has disappeared and no one knows where he is. Vlad and Henry are determined to find out what happened to him. But the substitute teacher begins to question Vlad too closely ... and there is just something strange about Mr. Otis Otis. Vlad worries that Otis might suspect the truth. 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 and is learning about the reality of being a vampire and the powers that he may possess. He also becomes convinced that there is a Vampire slayer in town, and that he is searching for Vlad. Things go from bad to worse when Nelly invites Otis to dinner and he confronts Vlad with what he knows.
Vladimir Tod - the main character of the series. Vlad is a vampire. Vlad often misses his parents and wonders about their mysterious deaths, which is the driving force behind most of the story.His parents had died three years ago in a fire
Henry McMillan - Vlad's best friend, who is also in eighth grade. He is more popular than Vlad and is the most crushed on guy at school. Vlad thinks that Meredith has a crush on him. Henry is known for being funny and strange, but also the only human child Vlad's willing to trust with his secret.
Aunt Nelly - Vlad's guardian, although she is not Vlad's actual aunt. Nelly and Mellina were very good friends, so when Tomas and Mellina "died", Nelly stepped up. She knows and supports Vlad's vampire side, being a human herself. She works at the hospital and takes almost "expired" blood bags for Vlad. Vlad's cravings for blood do not make her grossed out, as they do with Henry.
Otis Otis - the new substitute English teacher who replaces Mr. Craig after he dies. He teaches English through educating the children about mythology, a tactic which he uses to discover that, like Tomas, Vlad is a vampire. Later, he is revealed to be Tomas' half brother, therefore Vlad's uncle. He helps Vlad escape the Elysian prison, although he seems like one of the evil vampires.
D'Ablo - the president of the Elysian council. He is the antagonist of the story, but does not appear until he is heard talking to Mr. Otis halfway through the book. His major appearance isn't until about the last 30 pages. At the end, he is injured by Vlad with the Lucis.
Meredith Brookstone - Vlad's dream girl since the 3rd grade. She seems to like Henry, but throughout the book she hangs with Vlad too.
The book takes place in a small town named Bathory. Settings include the junior high, the old bell tower, Elysia the vampire world, and Vlad's house. The book begins around the time of Halloween (October) in present day.
Lugosi Trail - the street where Vlad's home is, a reference to Bela Lugosi
Eddie Poe - a reference to Edgar Allan Poe, a gothic author and poet.
Melissa Hart - a reference to Melissa Joan Hart, the actress who starred in the sitcom Sabrina, the Teenage Witch (TV series)
Stokerton - Stoker is the last name of the author of "Dracula", Bram Stoker.
Bathory - a reference to Elizabeth Báthory, who is also known as "the Blood Countess".