A Taste for Red

June 29, 2009
Upon encountering sixth-grader Svetlana Grimm, it's easy to think of her as slightly delusional. She sleeps under her bed, eats only red foods, has a heightened sense of smell and believes she has psychic abilities. Naturally, she thinks she's a vampire, if not a predatory one (she prefers strawberries and red velvet cake). But Harris makes it clear that Svetlana, whose given name is Stephanie (“How could my parents have been so cruel?” she moans) isn't just a supernatural wannabe—she discovers she can communicate telepathically with her vampirish (perhaps literally) science teacher, Ms. Larch. Harris sets up deliciously sinister scenes between Svetlana and her teacher, whom Svetlana suspects is involved in the disappearance of three classmates. Reluctant heroine Svetlana has plenty of personality and wit (“I could handle a little ESP and a steady diet of watermelon, but I wasn't going to get into any kind of life and death struggle”), and although Harris leaves the door open for sequels, his fast-paced debut stands on its own. Ages 8–12.

September 1, 2009
Gr 4-6-Homeschooled Stephanie has just moved and must now attend sixth grade at public school because of her mother's job. She's not taking it well, insisting on wearing black, eating only red foods, sleeping under her bed, and being called Svetlana. Is she turning into a vampire or just going through a phase? Her glamorous science teacher, who talks to Svetlana telepathically, might know the answer, but Ms. Larch has a vile odor (that only Svetlana can detect) and an evil smile. When three popular girls go missing, only Svetlana suspects Ms. Larch. Unlike most vampire tales, this story leaves readers truly wondering what's affecting Svetlana until about halfway through when her kindhearted elderly neighbor, Lenora Bones, reveals the truth. Svetlana's unusual abilities mean she's part of the Circle of Red, a group dedicated to protecting the innocent from the "grotesque and aberrant." At this point, the plot's pace picks up and races to a dramatic climax as Svetlana determines to take on Ms. Larch and rescue the girls. Svetlana comes across as a strong character who separates herself from her peers by casually referencing Sun Tzu and lurking in a tree house dubbed "The Oak of Doom." Her first-person narrative is fast-paced and witty, and her mild scorn for everything she encounters at school will appeal to angst-ridden tweens. Sure to be a crowd-pleaser, this is a perfect choice for fans of Charles Ogden's "Edgar and Ellen" series (Tricycle)."Emily R. Brown, Providence Public Library, RI"

Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 2009
Grades 4-6 In the glut of novels about vampires and other supernatural beings, its refreshing to find such a slim, sharp tale. Harriss debut offers up an appealing sixth-grade narrator, recently moved with her parents to suburban California, who believes shes a vampire. How else can Svetlana (formerly Stephanie) explain her desire for red foods, heightened senses, and need to sleep under the bed? Already bewildered by her forced interaction with other students (she has previously been home-schooled), Svetlana is chilled to the bone when her last teacher of the day, a raven-haired, ivory-skinned stunner, can read her thoughts. But Svetlana can pick up on Ms. Larchs unsavory smellThere was a whiff of something slightly rotted about herand Svetlanas elderly neighbor convinces her that Larch is the vampire and that she, Svetlana, must destroy her. With concision and wit, Harris has great fun with Svetlanas wry narration, the dastardliness of Ms. Larch, and Svetlanas efforts to convince two nerdy boys to help combat a great force of evil. A tasty read indeed.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2009
Sixth grader Svetlana ("Stephanie" to her parents) has super-honed senses, telepathic abilities, and a digestive resistance to any food not red in color. So she must be a vampire, right? Wrong...but her scary new science teacher is and must be stopped. There are gaps in logic and Svetlana's personality is unpleasant, but the story's Goth-chic sensibility will attract some readers.

(Copyright 2009 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)