Bloodthirsty

February 1, 2011

Gr 10 Up-Finbar Frame is a shy, awkward, misunderstood 16-year-old who has spent his life in the shadow of his athletic and popular twin brother. He is tired of being seen as a freak and a loser, so when his family moves from Indiana to New York, Finbar decides it is time for a change. He realizes that with his pale skin and wild eyes he possesses many vampire characteristics-even a severe sun allergy. Armed with a new wardrobe, a silver Volvo, big sunglasses, and some attitude, He becomes something he has never been-popular. But he soon finds that being a player is not everything, a lesson he learns the hard way. Bloodthirsty is witty, laugh-at-loud funny, and real. Readers can easily relate to Finbar's trials and tribulations, and his path to self-discovery. This is an original and enjoyable first novel for older teens.-Donna Rosenblum, Floral Park Memorial High School, NY

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 15, 2010
Grades 8-11 Finbar is a 6-feet 11-inches, 130-pound 16-year-old whose problems asserting himselfboth with bullies and girlshas labeled him a weakling and/or gay (despite his claim that he has the sex drive of Bill Clinton). A move to a different school coincides with a newly diagnosed allergy to the sun, which plants in Finbar an ideaa totally insane, totally wonderful idea. Girls swoon over the pale, sickly vampires of novels and movies, so why not pretend to be one? After boning up on his Twilight and True Blood, Finbar debuts his moody new attitude and soon has his first full-fledged vampire groupie. The only trouble is that the girl he is falling for, Kate, would not find his deception very funny. Theres not much plot to speak of, but Meaneys debut is the right book at the right moment, poking fun at the glowering Robert Pattinsons of the world while delivering an occasionally hilarious reminder that, in the long run, being yourself is usually the least-deadly option.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)