Little Vampire Women by L.M. Alcott and Lynn Messina

Alcott, Louisa May and Lynn Messina Little Vampire Women, 320 p. Little and Brown, 2010.  $8.99.  Violence: PG-13.  The Little Women are actually vampires, lvingly turned by their “parents” when they were orphaned as children.  Now they have lived enough vampire years that they are on the cusp of maturity and almost ready to set up their own households.  But while Mr. March is away with the army, the women left behind are finding it difficult to make ends meet.  Through the kindness of their new next door neighbor and his grandson, the women may be able to keep things together until their father can return.  Yes – it sounds almost exactly like the original story – because it is, except in some very crucial ways – such as Beth turning Grandfather into a vampire and an evil anti-vampire group trying to kill Beth with poisoned kittens.  This is so much better than Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.  Each page is a skillful interweaving of original story and bloody vampire action.  There is a Romeo and Juliet and Vampires coming out soon – I can only hope that it is as well crafted.  It is somewhat bloody (as all great vampire books are), however, so it won’t work for every middle school.  MS – OPTIONAL; HS – ESSENTIAL.   Cindy, Library Teacher.