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.