The Vampire Knife (The Witching Hours, #1)

by Jack Henseleit

[Beth C.]

Anna and her brother Max are headed with their father, a Professor, to Transylvania - and you know what lives there, right? VAMPIRES. When Max gets kidnapped by a vampire, Anna must figure out how to get him back, with a little help from a new friend, a special knife, and her knowledge of monsters (she reads a lot).

This is the first in a series, and it's entertaining. There are actual monsters in this book, and - I would presume - those to come. They're *just* scary enough, without being something that's going to terrify every kid into sleeping with mom and dad. Actions have consequences, and they learn this during the course of the story. The siblings are interesting and typical at the same time - they travel and see things many others don't, but they have to be separated in the car to stop from kicking each other.

Overall, I'm looking forward to reading the second one (I work at a bookstore and try to keep up on kid's titles), and I will happily recommend this title!