Switched

August 27, 2007
Launching the My Sister the Vampire series, this predictable if cute caper opens on Olivia's first day of eighth grade at a new school. Perky Olivia, who hopes to join the cheerleading squad, notices an abundance of white-faced, black-clad goths; in her pretty pink dress, she looks “like a lollipop in a graveyard.” Charlotte, the snooty self-appointed cheerleading captain, befriends Olivia, as does “ultra Goth” Ivy, who feels strongly that she has met the new girl before. And indeed she has: when she spies the emerald ring on Olivia's finger, identical to the one Ivy wears around her neck, the two figure out that they are twins, adopted at the age of one by different parents. In the inevitable Parent Trap
–esque move, they decide to change places, but just at school. How long will it take for Ivy to confess that she and her pals are vampires? Long enough for Olive to want to stand by her, because “blood is thicker than water” (to which her twin responds, “And better tasting, too!”). For those who crave vampire lite, the novel features likable heroines and comical scenarios. Ages 8-12.

January 1, 2008
Gr 4-6-Having just moved to Franklin Grove, finding new friends and fitting in on the cheerleading squad seem like daunting enough tasks for bubbly eighth-grader Olivia, but when she discovers that her Goth-dressed, dark-humored science partner, Ivy, is her long-lost twin, things take an interesting twist. The girls figure out their relationship themselves (they look alike, share a birthday, are both adopted, have the same emerald ring from their birth parents), and in true "Parent Trap"-style they plan many adventures switching places. There is one small difference between the sisters: Ivy is a vampire, as are many other members of this small community. While the story provides snapshots of the town, which includes both vampires (who satisfy their nutritional needs at BloodMart) and "bunnies" (non-vampires), readers never get the whole picture, leaving them with more questions than answers. Even the girls can't figure out why one of them is a vampire and the other is not. Many of the characters are stereotypes and never really brought to life. However, the sisters are likable and the writing is fast paced and upbeat, making for a quick read. This book will not interest diehard vampire enthusiasts, but may appeal to fans of frothyand Gothyschool stories."Jennifer Huddler, Margaret Hearne Elementary School, Wilson, NC"

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