August 22, 2022
In Hopetown, Pa.—“an American Revolution time capsule kind of place”—12-year-old Sophie Dawes lives with her loving adoptive vampire moms. French Revolution–era Mama, once best friends with Marie Antoinette, embraces a 1950s homemaker vibe, while the Duke, a former Viking shield-maiden, has swapped the battleground for the boardroom. Though it’s been years since vampires “walked into the light”—became part of human society—stringent rules and regular government check-ins now attend human-vampire relations, especially in the few years since vampires began “going rogue.” Amid state-level policy changes around corporate blood bank donations, a Federal Bureau of Vampire Affairs rehabilitation facility being established nearby, and growing online conspiracy theories about rogue vampires, the epidemic reaches Hopetown. To investigate the “rogue” phenomenon, Sophie and her best friend Delphine Abernathy, a 300-year-old vampire stuck with a 12-year-old’s body and mind, take it upon themselves to investigate. Though it telegraphs reveals early on, Tureaud’s high-concept debut offers an extended metaphor exploring how the past informs the present, touching on corporate protections, government surveillance, model minority dynamics, and personal rights via vibrantly rendered characters. Characters cue as white. Ages 8–12. Agent: Amy Giuffrida, Jennifer De Chiara Literary.
September 1, 2022
A middle schooler will do whatever it takes to save her moms and keep her family together. Human Sophie Dawes lives in Hopetown, Pennsylvania, with her adoptive vampire moms, Mama and the Duke. Vampires made their existence known nearly two decades ago and have since lived peacefully beside ordinary mortals. However, in the past few years, random vampires have gone rogue, so that means curfews and regular visits from Child Protective Services for Sophie's family. Sophie's best friend, Delphine, a 300-year-old vampire who will forever appear 12, believes there's a government conspiracy that's causing the vampires to change. When Mama goes rogue, they must act quickly before the whole family is taken away, so Sophie decides to take matters into her own hands and uncover the truth. This energetic, action-filled story is rounded out with an exploration of what makes a family and Sophie's realistic emotions about being adopted. She knows her moms love her, but she has a deep-seated fear of being abandoned, and she's conflicted about whether she should agree to meet her birth mom. Her upbringing is contrasted with other characters' experiences with their parents, showcasing different types of family relationships. Worldbuilding and paranormal elements are naturally incorporated, and small hints lead to exciting reveals. Sophie's thoughts about prejudice against vampires may get readers thinking about real-world examples of bias. Characters are cued White. A suspenseful supernatural story about belonging and inclusion. (Paranormal. 8-12)
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October 1, 2022
Grades 3-7 Tureaud's debut novel explores acceptance and strong family bonds in the supernatural world of vampires. Twelve-year-old Sophie Dawes lives in Hopetown with her two adoptive vampire moms and her best friend, Delphine, a child vampire. Vampires have come out into the light in order to live peacefully alongside humans, but now something is causing them to turn rogue and attack. When one of Sophie's moms goes rogue, Sophie and Delphine must find answers before child protective services discovers their secret or before Sophie is sent away to live in Arizona. A vampire story from the perspective of a human living among them, Tureaud's action-packed page-turner keeps family and community at the heart of the story, ultimately revealing what makes a true monster. Sophie's struggles include the family dynamics in adoption, and the story also includes LGBTQ relationships and characters. Kalynn Bayron's The Vanquishers (2022) is another middle-grade paranormal mystery with human children defending themselves from vampires.
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Starred review from December 1, 2022
Gr 4-7-In Hopetown, PA, human Sophie Dawes loves her adoptive mothers more than anything, even if their family isn't the most conventional. Her moms are vampires, which brings an added level of scrutiny now that some vampires have started going rogue and attacking humans. Though it has been years since vampires have joined humans in the light, something is suddenly and mysteriously causing good vampires to attack their neighbors and loved ones. When Sophie's own mother becomes violent, Sophie and her best friend must find out who or what is responsible before all of their loved ones are claimed by the change. Main characters are white. Equal parts horror and mystery, this contemporary tale is sure to delight readers who enjoy a bit a spooky vibe with their conspiracy theories and whodunit adventures. VERDICT Recommended first purchase for upper elementary and middle school collections.-Monisha Blair
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