A seasonally appropriate reminder of a great
book from the massively magnificent archive…
The very run down house next door had
been on the market for about 15 years when it finally sold. Al, who is 12,
loved exploring the old place, but his mom worried about rotted out floors,
broken stairs, snakes in the basement, and the bugs and dirt. While his parents
would not buy the old place like he wanted them to, at least his Mom never
forbade him from going over there. He
had loved going over there and poking around as long as he could remember and
often his buddy Hermie went over there with him.
So, Al wasn’t exactly thrilled when the
house suddenly sold. Hermie was convinced nothing good for them would happen
with the new owners. Hermie was sure the new owners had to be a 100 or
something to want to live in that old place and he was sure they would not have
grandkids or anything. They probably even hate kids, according to Hermie.
Neither one of the boys counted on A Vampire Named Fred who needs
their help and friendship.
Originally published in print on 1990
and released in electronic format in 2011, this book aimed at the middle school
aged crowd is a very fun read. Not only does it play a bit with the vampire
legend which Hollywood movies got very wrong according to Fred, the book also
mixes in cultural references that will appeal to the adult reader. For example,
Elvis (or somebody doing one heck of an impersonation) works down at the local
Tastee Daree Freezee where they sell soft ice cream, burgers, and more. He still
sings a bit and dances in his blue suede shoes while filling orders. While
small things like that may fly by the kids, adults will get a chuckle or two
over that and quite a number of other items in this fun story that reminds all
readers that being a little different is okay.
A Vampire Named Fred is a fun read
for all ages by legendary author Bill Crider. It has a sequel titled A
Werewolf Named Wayne.
Material was picked up during a recent author promotion for my use in an objective review.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2014, 2022
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2 comments:
Nice review. This looks like a fun read, and not just for Halloween.
It would work at other times as well. It is a good read.
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