Ninth Grade Slays (The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod, Book 2)

by Heather Brewer

Hardcover, 2008

Status

Available

Call number

YA B Bre

Publication

Dutton Children's Books

Pages

278

Description

While half-vampire Vlad, his best friend Henry, and Henry's cousin Joss make their way through their freshman year at Bathory High, a hired vampire slayer seeks to destroy Vlad.

Description

High school totally bites when you’re half human, half vampire.
Freshman year sucks for Vlad Tod. Bullies still harass him. The photographer from the school newspaper is tailing him. And failing his studies could be deadly. A trip to Siberia gives “study abroad” a whole new meaning as Vlad connects with other vampires and advances his mind-control abilities, but will he return home with the skills to recognize a vampire slayer when he sees one? In this thrilling sequel to Eighth Grade Bites, Vlad must confront the secrets of the past and battle forces that once again threaten his life. Find out why author D. J. MacHale calls The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod “Gruesome, heartwarming, spellbinding.”

Collection

Barcode

3599

Language

Original language

English

Original publication date

2008

Physical description

278 p.; 8.5 inches

ISBN

9780525478928

Similar in this library

Lexile

780L

User reviews

LibraryThing member chibimajo
Didn't realize this was the second book.
Vlad, a vampire, has a minion - Henry, who's one of the popular kids at school. This doesn't seem to save Vlad, who is a social outcast and the victim of bullying. His uncle brings him to Russia to be tutored on his vampire powers by an old friend, and back
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home Vlad must not only survive high school and dealing with his crush, but also a fellow schoolmate determined to reveal him as a monster, a vampire "thief" who has stolen his blood, and a slayer come to the town to hunt him.
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LibraryThing member TeenBookReviews
Vladimir Tod vampire-human hybrid is entering high school. Everyone told him that ninth grade would be tough, but with vampires and slayers trying to kill him and new vampire talents emerging, he’ll be lucky to survive. Brewer pens another fun novel. Vlad’s character is a teenage outcast who
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truly is alienated from the people around him. There is no other person like him on the planet and Vlad handles this feeling of isolation in a realistic and often humorous manner. At the same time, Vlad is dealing with the everyday aspects of being a teenage boy from crushes to hanging out with this best friend. Brewer handles the balance between vampire and normal human teen well. And while the idea of an isolated teen as a main character is not unique, Brewer re-vamps the familiar to create an enjoyable, engaging read. Recommended for readers who enjoy vampire fiction.
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LibraryThing member la_librarian
This second book picks right up where Eighth Grade Bites left off. Vlad is keeping a low profile since vampires are after him, he's starting ninth grade, he's hanging with Henry and Henry's cousin Joss. He is however studying under Otis and beginning to understand his vampire heritage more.

My only
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complaint about Brewer's book is that it ends too fast but we do get more information about issues that came up in book one which I don't want to include because of plot spoilers. Still, a solid effort and one I think you will like!
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LibraryThing member ewyatt
Vlad starts high school and finds out aside from the bullies and working up the nerve to talk to his crush, he has some new problems. First, Eddie Poe suspects that he is not totally human. Second, a vampire slayor has been sent to "take care" of him. Vlad gets to do some training and discover more
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about the mysterious prophecy of the Praxus. A very entertaining read! I'm anxious to see what happens to Vlad and Henry when they are sophomores!
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LibraryThing member stunik
Great reading for 4th grade an up. This is intended for the middle school market. The plot is more sophisticated than Twilight; it's an amusing vampire story. This would be good for older teens who struggle with reading.
LibraryThing member Munchkineer
Love this book as much as the fisrt one. I am seriosly dieng to read tenth grade bleeds. as you can tell i'm so obsessed with this series.
LibraryThing member kperry
Vlad is about to start his first year of high school. Things are pretty much the same as they’ve always been though. He still has to keep the fact that he is a vampire a secret, he is still too afraid to talk to the girl he likes, and the same bullies that have been bothering him since junior
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high are picking up right where they left off.Starting high school is stressful enough, but more troubles are on the way. Someone from the school newspaper is following him around trying to get a story and, word has it, there is a vampire slayer in town looking for him. Vlad struggles with some of his vampire abilities. He has to learn how to use his mind reading skills, which requires a trip to Siberia and the chance to meet others from the vampire community. Getting to know the people who were friends with his father is a wonderful experience. He enjoys his time in Siberia and hates it when it is time to go home.Once back, Vlad must face the vampire slayer and another old enemy in order to make sure his loved ones are safe. At the rate things are going, Vlad doesn’t know if he’s going to make it to tenth grade.Heather Brewer has written a wonderful sequel to EIGHTH GRADE BITES. You’ll want to be sure to check out TENTH GRADE BLEEDS as soon as it comes out.
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LibraryThing member kivarson
Hats of to Heather Brewer for her comedic skill and convincing description of high school life. Vlad Tod is just like any other skinny, vaguely gothic 14 year old, just wanting to make it to class without getting stuffed into his locker. Just like any other kid, except that he is a vampire, whose
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lunch bag is likely to contain cupcakes filled with capsules of blood from donor bags appropriated from the hospital by his human guardian.

Perfect for younger teens who like vampires.
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LibraryThing member KrissZane
This book is totally great. you get to know Vladimir (Vlad) and Henry more, but then things get really complicated when Henry's cousin Joss comes to stay with him and his family. Joss is a vampire slayer and when he finds out that Vlad is a vampire, he trys to kill him. This book is great and
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everyone should read this book. It's a story of friendship, family, and adventures.
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LibraryThing member Reacherfan
This is a fantastic installment to the series. It picks up right there the first one leaves off. Vald has just survived a fight with a mega vampire and he just want to get on with his life as abnormal as it is. He wasn't to continue his life with withis best friend, Henry his aunt and his newly
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found uncle. He may want it, but he's not going to get it.

His uncle take Vald to me a teacher who can enhance Vald's vampire powers. This was an interesting part of the book, when Vald learns more what it's like to be a vampire. That's something you want in a character, for them to grow and develop, adding to what they are. That's exactly what happens with Vald, he grows.

We also learn more about Vald's parents, and what really happened to them, and how Vald blames himself for what happened to them, and how he have to live with it.

With all of this going on, Vald has other problems. It seems that an old enemy comes back to haunt him. To make matters worse, it seems that Vald is being stalked by a vampire slayer.

This is just a quick over view of the book. I can't say enough good things about it. I'm really enjoying the series.

If you start it, I can promise, you won't be sorry.
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LibraryThing member JRlibrary
Although I can't rave about the book, it was a light and enjoyable read and I KNOW that it will be popular with my preteen readers. It's much easier and lighter than Twilight, but still has a combination of danger and romance and adventure. It would be much better if the reader read book one before
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reading this one, but it is possible to piece together the references and infer what happened in book one.
I don't want to give away too much of the plot, but I can tell you that Vladimir Tod, is in ninth grade now, and he is half human (his mom) and half vampire (his dad). His parents perished in a fire, and Vlad carries a lot of guilt for that event since he had turned off their alarm clocks, causing them to sleep in, and therefore be in the house when their bedroom caught on fire. At the beginning of the book, Joss is hired by a man, who resurfaces near the end of the book, to kill Vladimir, which should be pretty easy since Joss is Henry's cousin.
I've ordered books one and three, so I can at least have the first three on the shelves. Kids who like Darren Shan's Cirque du Freak books will love this.
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LibraryThing member jmchshannon
When it comes to vampire novels, I admit I am rather easy to please. Give me a plausible back story as well as a creative twist on the vampire myth, and I am happy. So, to say that I enjoyed a vampire story is not a surprise to anyone. Yet, when I can gush about a vampire story, now you know the
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story is special. I gushed about Eighth Grade Bites several days ago, and Ninth Grade Slays is just as deserving of any praise I may bestow.

Dark but fun, with enough Buffy references to make a Buffy fan like me happy, Ninth Grade Slays picks up where the other left off. This time, Vlad delves a little deeper into his vampire nature, understanding why others feel he is so special and why he is in danger all the time. As denotes most sequels, especially in middle grade novels, the story itself is rather formulaic, but it is still fun because of all the new information we get about Vlad's father, about his vampire family, and about his emerging powers. While more information is held back in the interest of the series, Ninth Grade Slays is the first book where the reader actually is made privy to this information. It definitely helps flesh out Vlad and Otis and the entire vampire society, making them more life-like and dangerous as only full disclosure can.

Any book that references Buffy, the TV show and NOT the movie, gets a special recommendation, and Ninth Grade Slays is full of references. There is something particularly hilarious about any story that references such a campy, but excellent cult hit because you know the author is not taking him/herself too seriously. I could spend an paragraph or two making comparisons between Buffy and Vlad, but then I would be doing a disservice to both because it means taking them both too seriously. Vlad is supposed to be fun, and it succeeds quite well.

Ninth Grade Slays leaves the reader wanting more, which is exactly what you want in a series. Vlad is vulnerable in his loneliness but shows remarkable growth as he learns more about his destiny. Otis, Nelly and Henry compliment Vlad's teenage angst. The end result is a novel that is a quick read but extremely charming and utterly addicting.
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LibraryThing member beckers
Janet Lam
This book is a continuation of Eighth Grade Bites in the Chroninles of Vladimir Tod series and is 9 AR points. Vladimir is now in high school but nothing has changed since middle school. He is bullied and is being stalked by a guy named Edgar Poe. Vladimir is a vampire but no one knows
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except for the people closest to him. There is a vampire slayer in town so he goes to Siberia to train and hopefully be stronger enought to beat the slayer. This is a fantasy book.
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LibraryThing member sensitivemuse
I thought this one was much better than the first. I think because there’s more to the story and plenty of background information provided. Although a little predictable, (especially when it came to who was the vampire slayer in the neighborhood) it was a fun read and interesting to go through.
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What I found especially interesting is the slight cracks you see that will eventually come to the surface and quite possibly create problems for Vlad. For example; his friendship with Henry. It’s good, but you notice Henry’s changed a bit. He’s hanging out with the popular kids more and Vlad is just on the sidelines being the observer. I’m not entirely sure if I like this change in Henry. He’s such a great guy and provided the comic relief in the series. If he turns out to be a jerk I’d be sorely disappointed. Let’s not forget the other vampires that are hounding Vlad down, and the vampire slayer that’s out for him. It looks like Vlad is about to have a lot on his plate soon enough. This is what I liked about the story so far. There’s underlying problems which are bound to explode sooner or later and this is what makes me want to continue reading the series until its’ conclusion.

I had to admit I went all mushy with Vlad and Meredith. They do make a cute couple despite Meredith being a “Barbie” (ie; always described with the color pink) which I think is the total exact opposite of what Vlad would like. Then again, I suppose it’s interesting that they both like each other despite their high school “labels”.

I’m definitely looking forward to the next one in this series. The ending got me curious as to what’s in store for Vlad.
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LibraryThing member ElCa0720
Vlad is dealing with being a teenager. He has relationship problems with Meredith too. I loved this book and could not wait to read the rest of the series.
LibraryThing member StLo1016
This is another vladimir tod book, that has to do with his bests friend henrys (vlads slave) couson who is a VAMPIRE slayer! Who has been sent by the slayer society. I liked this book very much and if u liked the first one the you will like the second one.
LibraryThing member lilibrarian
Book 2 in the Vladimir Tod series. Vladimir is being hunted by a slayer, and tormented by a local boy who is sure he is a monster. But he has Henry, and Henry's cousing Joss is a new friend.
LibraryThing member JeSh8
Freaking amazing. A ton of secreats spiil out :D
LibraryThing member dbhutch
Vlad is back for his freshman year of high school in Bathory, but it won't be easy. He has a new friend, Henry's cousin Joss, and a new problem, Eddie - who thinks Vlad is some sort of monster, but not sure what kind. Oh yea, and he has a vampire slayer hunting for him. Uncle Otis takes hism abroad
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to Russia to learn from a friend of Vlad's father about mind control and reading, and of course his angst with Bill and Tom, his favortie tormentors, and the tugs of his heart for Meridith. A great continuation of book one, and easy read, and highly recommended.
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LibraryThing member kikotomo
Vlad's story begins to further develop in this book. Although parts of the book were quite predictable, the story is well written. I will continue to read this series.
LibraryThing member KarenBall
Lots of vampire humor in this one! Vlad is now a freshman in Bathory High School, which means back to being the bully magnet and wishing his voice didn't disappear every time Meredith looked his way. He's also being tracked by a vampire slayer, and tailed by an annoying kid from the school paper
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(named Edgar Poe). Uncle Otis decides that it's time for some higher-quality vampire training, so Vlad gets a short trip to Siberia to meet with the vampire Vikas, who taught his father. There he learns that he is rumored to be "the Pravus" or the vampire who will have the power to enslave the human race and control the world. Vlad would be just as happy to keep the bullies away at the moment, but he has bigger problems since there are several vampires who would much rather see him dead (thus the slayer who's being paid to kill him). Vlad has a lot to survive freshman year, and not just his gym class. Creepy, suspenseful and funny! Best to read Eighth Grade Bites first if you haven't already. For 7th grade and up.
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LibraryThing member Alexis.Goodro
This book is the following book of Eighth Grade Sucks. After Otis (Vald uncle) has to leave because of safty ressions. His best friend Henry tells Vald that his cousin Joss is coming to town because his parnets are leaving to Greece for work. When Vald first finds this out he is worried because
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what if Joss doesn't like him. When Vald meets Joss, he is relived that he is cool and not what he was afferad he was. Soon Vald and Joss became as good as friends as Vald and Henry. Even that Vald and Henry have this bond because Vald bit him when they were eight. Now Henry is Valds drudge (a type of slave, but to vald and Henry is better friendship then ever). Then Vald starts seeing this man watchin ghim at night which frecks him out. A couple days later is the Halloween party. Vald ends up going out side to get air and sees a boy named Eddie. Eddie is a nord and Vlad ends up feeling bad so he gives Eddie his costume so he can go inside and party. But that Vald put his hand on his tatoo which turns his eyes purple. Eddie saw and went crazy and was deturmend to find out what Vlad's secert is. Vlad was worried. Soon after Vlad got a letter from Otis which said to him that he should watch out for a slayer someone sent to kill Vlad. Vlad puts this at the back of his mind because he found out that his new best friend was going to the dance with his dream girl Meredith. Vlad liked Meredith ever sence third grade. Vlad was mad at this and claimed that it was all his falt because he didn't ask Meredith sooner. Then everything goes into the heavens when Meredith tellls him she like Vlad to, and she kissed him. This was so great that nothing could rune it. And to put a cherry on stop Otis comes and wants him to learn his powers by going to see the wisest vampire ever. Vlad learns lots of his powers, and finds out how skilled he is. When Vlad comes home he finds out the shocking truth of Joss. Joss is the slayer that was sant to kill Vlad. Vlad finds out Joss is still finding out who is the vampire he must kill, and Vlad is tarifid. Joss takes Vlad with him on his way two find the vampire when Vlad sees that his old enamy that he thought he killed that year was still alive. D'Ablo. D'ablo sent the slayer two find out if Vlad is the Pravus(a Pravus is a half human and half vampire that can never die, and will inslave human kind). Joss is upset he must kill Vlad but ever sence a vampire killed his little sister in front of him he would not stop killing until every vampire is dead. Joss ends up stabbing Vlad with a stick in the heart. Surpriseingly Vlad didn't die. He was still alive and was healing fast. When Vlad goes back to school Meredith ends up asking Vlad to the spring Harvest. A prefict ending to a heartbreaking and untursting friendship bettween a vampire and one of his best friends, slayer.
I liked this book for one because I love vampire books. This book was good because it was mixed bettween a normal highschooler and a vampire. I also like the twits it brought in almost every chapter. Also how the story was put onto the same topic, like how Joss ended up being the Slayer. Also it made me feel for the charters. I really get into the books, kinda like i don't want to put them down. I am exited to read the next book "Tenth Grade Bleeds."
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LibraryThing member br13coen


9TH GRADE SLAYS

Vlad wants to get the girl of his dreams Meredith Brookstone. He has more important things to worry about. There is a slayer after him and some other people finding out he might be a vampire. He’s worried his best friend might hang out with his cousin coming into town more than
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hanging out with him. Vlad finding out that Henry who is Vlads best friend, his cousin is trying to get Meredith behind his back. Vlad is having a lot of issues to deal with. The biggest of them all is that he finds out his biggest enemy is back!
I found this book amazing! There is rarely a part in the book where i get bored. There is lots of action parts that are very descriptive. Heather Brewer did a nice job with the series so far. Since this book was so good i will continue reading her series
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LibraryThing member benuathanasia
A good follow up to the first book, but it took a little (lot) too long to actually get into the action. There was lots of build up, but only very little at the climax and no real "mini climaxes" before that.
LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill
I finally finished this today. Vlad is back but he comes off as a little moodier this time which made it take me a little longer to finish. Other then that the story was pretty good. There are vampires after Vlad, Henry and Vlad's friendship is a little shaken but Vlad thinks he finds a new friend
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in Joss, Henry's cousin. There is also a side trip to Siberia to get Vlad some more vampire training and Vlad's relationship with Meredith is finally moving along.

You can definitely tell this is a part of a series but this volume at least has it's own story.
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Rating

(233 ratings; 4.1)

Awards

Nevada Young Readers' Award (Nominee — Young Adult — 2012)
South Carolina Book Awards (Nominee — Junior Book Award — 2011)

Call number

YA B Bre
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