Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause
Laurel Leaf Books
New York
1997
ISBN: 0440226686
Plot Summary:
Vivian is one of the younger female members of an extended werewolf tribe; the tribe has been on the move lately, due to the number of "unsolved" killings that keep popping up. Vivian longs for a normal life, far from the revenge of homo sapiens, and the death of her father, the pack leader.
The tribe's newest locale brings with it a turn of events, and Vivian quickly falls in love with a fellow high school student--very human and very poetic. Aidan is sweet and gentle, and carries the suggestion of escape for her. But can their love overpower all the differences between them?
Critical Evaluation:
Klause tells her story with an extra-special attention to sensory details: the swaying of the grass,the shape of the moon, the scent of the boy passing Vivian in the hall. These seemingly superfluous descriptions led an air of verisimilitude to the proceedings; indeed, Vivian's identity as loup-garou never feels less than vividly realized and deliciously contradictory.
Reader's Annotation:
Since her father's death, Vivian wonders what else the future might hold for her. Then she meets the human, Aiden, and decides she will decide the future for herself.
Genre: Paranormal Romance/ YA Fiction
Author Info:
Annette Curtis Klause was born in England and weaned by her father on gangster films. As a teen, her family moved to the U.S., and Klause currently lives in suburban Maryland. The vampire fantasy The Silver Kiss was her first novel, and she has since written three other young adult novels. She is also a librarian.
Reader Level/Interest Age:
A teen romance, but convincingly and appealingly written to satisfy fantasy readers of any age.
Booktalking Tips:
*Does Aidan's poem mean more to Vivian than it does to Aidan himself?
*What makes Vivian think she can merge her werewolf and human girl lives?
*What type of wolf is Gabriel?
Challenge Issues:
Some sexual and violent situations may prove offensive to guardians.
Defense to challenges: Book was awarded in the Top 10 ALA Best Book for Young Adults, the Top 10 ALA Quick Pick, and was a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year. This recognition and its long-running popularity amongst teen readers will serve to justify its presence on any library YA shelf.
Why Include?:
An insatiable passion for werewolf and vampire fiction elevated Bread and Chocolate to the top of my to-do reading list.
