Blood and chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause

Bibliographic Information:

Klause, A. C. (1997). Blood and chocolate. New York, NY: Laurel-Leaf Books.
ISBN# 0440226686

Plot Summary:
Werewolves have been among humans for centuries. In order to remain a secret from humans, and therefore remain alive, the werewolves have made a pact never to kill a human. Vivian, a 16 year old werewolf, just wants to fit in somewhere. She doesn’t feel completely comfortable with her packmates, The Five, because they are too immature. However, she doesn’t feel completely comfortable with the human teens at school; she is too different from them. Then she meets Aiden. She wants him; she gets him. Her mother warns her about being with a human, but Vivian feels that Aiden is a kindred spirit and will understand about her wolf side. However when she shows him, Aiden is terrified and repulsed. Vivian is so crushed that she doesn’t remember the rest of the night. A human is killed that night. Is Vivian involved? Meanwhile, the pack is in disarray because their leader, Vivian’s father, along with half of their pack was killed in a fire when they were living elsewhere. The pack has a to-the-death fight to determine the new alpha male. In addition there is a fight to determine the new alpha female, the one to be mated to the new alpha male. Vivian finds herself the new alpha female and the new alpha male, Gabriel, is considerable older, more experienced, and quite scary.

Critical Evaluation:
This book is sure to appeal to teen who enjoy the Twilight series, the horror genre, and/or anything having to do with the supernatural and mystical. Klause writes with vivid language. It is easy to get lost in her story imagining that you are a part of it. The book has violence, romance, sensuality, mystery, and revenge, making it appealing to most young adults on some level. There are overlapping storylines that get the reader thinking and pulls him/her further into the story. Teens will be able to relate to the feelings of not belonging felt by Vivian. In addition, teens will be able to relate to Vivian’s anger and sadness when Aiden doesn’t live up to her expectations. Vivian is a strong, likable character. She has weaknesses; she is not perfect. In this regard most all readers will be able to see themselves in her at least to some extent.

Reader's Annotation:
Vivian is a werewolf, part of a pack that is in shambles due to the death of half of their members, including her father the alpha male, when “meat” people (humans) discovered them. Now the pack has moved, a new alpha male will be chosen, as will a new alpha female, and Vivian finds herself attracted to a “meat boy” with whom she feels she can share her secret.

Information about the author:
Annette Curtis Klause is (and has been) a public librarian since obtaining her MLIS in 1979. As a child she enjoyed writing, but library school opened her eyes to the world of young adult literature. She has never directly used her librarian experiences in writing her books, but does feel that being a librarian has given her access to young adults and other books which have helped her writing endeavors. Klause has written four books for young adults, some of which have been translated into other languages. While she finds it difficult to juggle both jobs, due to time constraints, she plans on being a librarian until she can afford not to be. She feels that this may never happen.
http://www.ravenstonepress.com/klause.html
http://www.bookfinder.com/author/annette-curtis-klause/


Genre: Fantasy; Horror

Curriculum Ties: Language Arts

Booktalking Ideas:
• Have you ever done something forbidden?
• What do you think of dating outside one’s race, religion, expected gender, etc.?
• What makes Aiden so irresistible?
• Have you ever felt that you were a part of two worlds, but not really belonging to either?
• How does Vivian change throughout the novel?
• What does Vivian think about The Five? Her mother? Gabriel? Why?
• Is there a lesson to this book? If so, what? Do you agree or disagree with it? Why? Why not?

Reading Level/Interest Level:
The widest age range is 12 – 18 years old, though most of the reviews indicate that the book is for the high school level.

Challenge Issues:
Werewolves; murder; sensuality/sexuality; discrimination; fighting to the death

If the book is challenged:
• Listen calmly to the complainant.
• Ask if s/he has read the entire novel.
• Show positive reviews of the novel.
• Show the selection policy.
If the complainant still has issues with the book:
• Request that the complainant read the entire book if this has not already occurred.
• Have the complainant fill out a reconsideration form.
• Set up a reconsideration meeting.
o Provide the reconsideration meeting members with:
 Positive reviews
 Selection policy
 Reconsideration policy

Selection Process:
I did a search on Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database with the following criteria: Award winner, reviews available, and age range from 15 – 18.

Eight positive reviews

Awards/ Best Books Lists:
Appears on 15 Best Books Lists
Appears on 5 state/provincial reading lists
Has received three awards

Reading/Interest level, selection process information, reviews, and Awards/Best Books Lists were accessed using the Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database at http://clcd.odyssi.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/cgi-bin/member/search/f?./temp/~RG4Tvz:4 accessed through SJSU and not available to everyone.