Breaking Down

September 1, 2011

Gr 8 Up- Breaking Down is the completely unauthorized parody of Stephenie Meyer's "Twilight" series and the films that go with it. It begins by lampooning the events of the first three books before getting down to business. Even readers unfamiliar with the series will be able to grasp the high points of the story and what is being parodied; they don't need to know the details or every nuance as the book is funny and clever on its own, with all of the characters defined and consistent in their silliness. The artwork seems to get much of its inspiration from the cast of the movies and is inconsistent at times, especially with Bleh, the parodied version of Bella. On the plus side, Parker spices up the backgrounds of the panels with funny visuals, many of which will make readers laugh out loud.-Erick Knapp, Davis Library, Plano, TX

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 15, 2011
Grades 9-12 Anyone who is sick and tired of the Twilight madness and has an arch sense of humor will find both remedy for the former and delightful engagement of the latter in this graphic-novel parody. In vivid color, we are treated to the thwarted romance between good-boy vampire Fredward Sullen and silly human-girl Bleh-Bleh, while werewolf J-Bob and assorted other monsters ramp up the ruckus and ridiculousness to a fever pitch. Bleh-Bleh cant even say vampire and resorts to such rhyming words as campfire and umpire in reference to her sweetheart. And then she gets pregnant, even though Fredward hadnt contacted the stork! Parkers artwork suits the story line and characters to a T: the guys have bulging crotches (always clad) and the baby Bleh-Bleh is carrying has a mighty, foot-shaped kick. This is a pitch-perfect parody that also makes utterly perfect use of the comics format. Admit it: you knew the Twilight series would end a lot better if our heroine was really in love with . . . a light socket.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)