Frankie D, vegan vampire

In this witty and whimsical early chapter book series launch, a debut by married collaborators the Dutras, vampire Frankie D and his family--including his three-legged pet wolf--are excited to emigrate from Transylvania to America. To help Frankie blend in with his human classmates, his parents set special rules: no biting, no showing off his fangs, and no sneak attacks. Though Frankie's meticulously practiced human manners hilariously fail him on his first day of fourth grade (attempts to make small talk surrounding his taxidermy expertise result in peers' confused staring), his idiosyncrasies soon net him new friends, each with quirks of their own. Only one classmate gives Frankie pause: Eddie, a bully who smells of "forest trolls." Eddie's attempts to torment Frankie test his resolve not to bite. But when Frankie discovers Eddie's secret insecurity, Frankie does his utmost to help Eddie overcome his challenges. Eager to fit in and rarely deterred by perceived setbacks, Frankie is a fang-tastic protagonist whose many triumphs and foibles will immediately endear him to young readers, even those without sharp teeth or pet wolves. Movement-filled grayscale spot illustrations by animator Brown depict characters with varying skin tones. Ages 7--10. (June)

A young vampire experiences unique challenges after he and his family relocate from Transylvania to the U.S. Though Frankie's extended family disapproves of the move, his parents want their children to grow up in a land "where the sun is generous with its rays." So they shorten their last name (Draculore) to D, Frankie gets his fangs filed down at the orthodontist's, and they attempt to hide their vampire superpowers. But how will they manage their thirst for human blood? Eating a healthy vegan diet will eliminate their need to bite people, though it's not quite clear how avocados and lentils are satisfying replacements for blood. Still, chances to inadvertently reveal their secret identities abound, from Frankie's parents' awkward introductions to the death-defying gymnastics of his 3-year-old twin brothers, Thunder and Bolt. Thankfully, good-natured Frankie quickly makes friends, but not everyone is so nice. Will Frankie be able to control his super-strength and keep his identity hidden when confronted with the school bully? Readers new to chapter books will appreciate the simple sentence structure, likable protagonist, and straightforward plot but may not understand all the subtle humor and communication foibles. Digitally rendered black-and-white illustrations and lists break up the short chapters. The main characters are illustrated with gray-tinged skin, while names and images of other classmates imply racial diversity. For kids hungry for a wholesome vampire story without the gore. (Fiction. 7-10) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.