‘Fake Blood’: Graphic Novel Review

Fake Blood By Whitney Gardner

The years of junior high could be wiped from most people’s memories and they’d be more confident, happier people.

It’s tough to be in sixth grade, especially figuring out the boy/girl stuff. Add fake vampires, real vampires, mistaken werewolves, and that your crush is out to stake your heart, and it gets complicated.

Fake Blood is a new graphic novel by Whitney Gardner. It’s a funny, but all too real, take on that awkward age of first loves and keeping blood off your teeth.

A.J. is a nice boy in Portland, whose favorite past times are reading and his crush is the smartest girl in the school, Nia. His two best friends, the always competing Ivy and Hunter, have grown taller over summer break and done cool things. A.J. read enough books to get a pair of sunglasses from the library. He doesn’t feel grown-up or cool enough to talk to Nia, let alone ask her out. His teen sister gives him advice, “Just be yourself. I always am, and I’m wonderful.” But A.J. decides on another direction to get Nia’s attention.

They are paired up for a history project by the new (and with British accent!) teacher, Mr. Niles. Nia decides they should research Transylvania because she is obsessed with vampires. A.J. decides that if Nia is into vampires, then he’ll become one!

And this is where it gets really funny. All the tropes about vampires, with a dig at more popular books and movies, come into play as A.J. tries to woo his girl with fake blood and faker angst. Although he does attract Nia’s attention, it’s not the way he was hoping for. But before he can fix the situation, a real vampire shows up and all their research is needed to save the day.

Fake Blood is a sweet book, which might be odd to say about vampires, but it’s about learning to accept who you are, even if you aren’t sure what that is yet. I recommend this for ages 11 and up, though the jokes are for all ages- I certainly snorted a few times.

A perfect spooky-theme book for a kid that’s more into humor than gore.

Female Characters: There are 60% speaking female characters in this book 🙂

Diversity: Yes. There are a variety of skin tones in the main characters.

GeekMom received a copy for review purposes.