Vampire Diaries #1: The Awakening by L.J. Smith
Author Biography:
L. J. Smith has written a number of bestselling books and series for young adults, including The Vampire Diaries (now a hit TV show), The Secret Circle, The Forbidden Game, Night World, and the #1 New York Times bestselling Dark Visions. She is happiest sitting by a crackling fire in a cabin in Point Reyes, California, or walking the beaches that surround that area. Information retrieved from Amazon.com.
Published by: HarperTeen
ISBN: 0061963860
Genre: Romance
Reading Level:
Reader’s Annotation:
Elena has recently broken up with her boyfriend, relegating him to the “let’s just be friends” status. Luckily for her, a dark and mysterious new boy has just joined school, and Elena already has her sights set on him. As she draws closers to this teen heartthrob, she gets drawn into an exciting and deadly new world.
Plot Summary:
Elena, a beautiful, popular, and wealthy student of Robert E. Lee High School has everything going for her. A caring family, close friends, and any boy she could possibly want is at her service. After a trip to Paris, Elena has decided her current boyfriend is more friend than lover and dumps him upon her return. Though she’s initially sad about the breakup, a cool and dark boy named Stefan Salvatore enters school and immediately draws her attention. She turns on the charm, confident Stefan will fall before her like every other boy yet is distraught when he completely ignores her. Though she tries time and time again, Stefan rebuffs her at every turn, and is quite possibly the only boy that has ever done that to her.
It’s later revealed that Stefan is actually a vampire and is trying desperately not to become involved with Elena as she strongly resembles a girl he knew from his past, Katherine. He eventually gives in to her advances and they begin a relationship together – though it is soon interrupted by his brother Damon. Damon and Stephan have a longstanding blood feud over Katherine, and as the two brothers battle over Elena, she steadily begins to fall for Damon as well, and is unsure who she truly wants.
Critical Evaluation:
The Vampire Diaries can be seen as a precursor to the wildly popular Twilight series, as much of the plot is the same. Both girls fall for a dangerous and handsome boy, they both get involved in a love triangle with a second potential boy, and they both eventually develop supernatural powers. Fans of the Twilight books, as well as paranormal romance in general, will likely enjoy this book for the tried and true love triangle plot and the drama that follows.
Curriculum Ties:
Challenge Issues:
None
Defensive Maneuvers:
n/a
Book Talk Ideas:
So lets say you fall for someone that's really attractive and mysterious. Then, as it turns out, that person is about four times your age and is a blood-sucking monster. Would you still be into that person?
Why This Book?
Though the vampire craze has died down a bit, The Vampire Diaries will still be of interest to fans of paranormal romance and the age old struggle of trying to choose between two loves.
L. J. Smith has written a number of bestselling books and series for young adults, including The Vampire Diaries (now a hit TV show), The Secret Circle, The Forbidden Game, Night World, and the #1 New York Times bestselling Dark Visions. She is happiest sitting by a crackling fire in a cabin in Point Reyes, California, or walking the beaches that surround that area. Information retrieved from Amazon.com.
Published by: HarperTeen
ISBN: 0061963860
Genre: Romance
Reading Level:
Reader’s Annotation:
Elena has recently broken up with her boyfriend, relegating him to the “let’s just be friends” status. Luckily for her, a dark and mysterious new boy has just joined school, and Elena already has her sights set on him. As she draws closers to this teen heartthrob, she gets drawn into an exciting and deadly new world.
Plot Summary:
Elena, a beautiful, popular, and wealthy student of Robert E. Lee High School has everything going for her. A caring family, close friends, and any boy she could possibly want is at her service. After a trip to Paris, Elena has decided her current boyfriend is more friend than lover and dumps him upon her return. Though she’s initially sad about the breakup, a cool and dark boy named Stefan Salvatore enters school and immediately draws her attention. She turns on the charm, confident Stefan will fall before her like every other boy yet is distraught when he completely ignores her. Though she tries time and time again, Stefan rebuffs her at every turn, and is quite possibly the only boy that has ever done that to her.
It’s later revealed that Stefan is actually a vampire and is trying desperately not to become involved with Elena as she strongly resembles a girl he knew from his past, Katherine. He eventually gives in to her advances and they begin a relationship together – though it is soon interrupted by his brother Damon. Damon and Stephan have a longstanding blood feud over Katherine, and as the two brothers battle over Elena, she steadily begins to fall for Damon as well, and is unsure who she truly wants.
Critical Evaluation:
The Vampire Diaries can be seen as a precursor to the wildly popular Twilight series, as much of the plot is the same. Both girls fall for a dangerous and handsome boy, they both get involved in a love triangle with a second potential boy, and they both eventually develop supernatural powers. Fans of the Twilight books, as well as paranormal romance in general, will likely enjoy this book for the tried and true love triangle plot and the drama that follows.
Curriculum Ties:
- The history and change of vampires through time
Challenge Issues:
None
Defensive Maneuvers:
n/a
Book Talk Ideas:
So lets say you fall for someone that's really attractive and mysterious. Then, as it turns out, that person is about four times your age and is a blood-sucking monster. Would you still be into that person?
Why This Book?
Though the vampire craze has died down a bit, The Vampire Diaries will still be of interest to fans of paranormal romance and the age old struggle of trying to choose between two loves.