Thirstyby M.T. Anderson
1997
Candlewick Press
Cambridge, MA
ISBN: 0763600482
Plot Summary:
Chris and his friends live in a rural Massachusetts town, on the edge of the reservoir, and on the border of the woods. Every year the town holds the Sad Festival of the Vampires, a ritual fair which still holds true to its roots--the spell-binding capture of the vampire god Tch'muchgar, insuring he stay bound in the bottom of the lake. Chris has never really taken the spells and suspicions seriously, until one day a vampire on her way to execution seems to recognize him, and he slowly begins to change into something he in turn no longer recognizes.
Critical Evaluation:
A pulp novel for teens, Anderson writes with a humor and flare that never questions the existence of vampires, while always questioning the silly roles that human society confines us in.
Reader's Annotation:
Chris is slowly turning into a vampire. He can't seem to prevent the transformation of himself, but can he prevent the rising of the vampire god Tch'muchgar?
Genre:
Horror/Metamorphosis/YA Fiction
Author Info:
M.T. Anderson is the author of 9 novels to date, his 2 volumes of The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing have both won Michael J. Printz awards. Thirsty is his first novel.
Reader Level/Interest Age:
High school and up; the novel's campy horror will probably remain more interesting to teens.
Booktalking Tips:
*Despite the acknowledgement that vampires are all around, Chris still takes a long time to realize and accept his metamorphosis. Why?
*What does the novel's closing pages suggest is in store for Chris?
Challenge Issues:
Some violence and hints of sexual themes.
Defense to challenges:
Anderson's ubiquity on the awards lists for his later titles indicates that his presence in a library collection will be demanded. If the inclusion of this particular book is further questioned, the library's collection policy and the ALA's Freedom to Read statement will be demonstrated. Also, the book's general tone and overall contents are not explicit, and this too will be affirmed.
Why Include?:
Forever a vampire afficionado....and, thought it would be interesting to read the first book of a novelist who has acquired so many accolades as of late.
