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Just because vampire books are popular doesn’t mean they’re good. That’s what I learned from Blood Sinister by Celia Rees. This book was more like a modern-day Dracula than the girl-can’t-resist-the-mysterious-and-handsome-vampire type of books like Twilight and Vampire Diaries. It follows a teenager named Ellen who is fatally ill. Too pass the time, she reads her great-grandmother’s and learns that vampires exist. Soon, in her dreams, Ellen becomes her great-grandmother, living her life, fearing her fears. And the vampires quickly become all too real.

The second book I read this week was Raiders’ Ransom by Emily Diamond. I was shocked to discover that this was Emily Diamond’s first book; Raiders’ Ransom read like it was written by a seasoned author. It really is a fabulous adventure story,  not too mention the striking cover art. The story follows two characters: Lilly and Zeph. About 150 years in the future there has been a “Collapse” or some sort of apocolyptic disaster. And many lands have returned to the olden-days way of life — no technology, no cars, travel by boat. Even the old societal pressures, like marrying for money or status instead of love, have returned. When the only two important people in Lilly’s life are gone, she decides to take action. The Prime Minister’s daughter has been kidnapped by raiders, the same raiders that killed her granny. Disguised as a boy, Lilly sails to London in hopes of trading a treasure for the girls release. In London, she meets Zeph — son of the raider’s boss. As a war brews, the two sides become intertwined and true emotions and values are revealed.

New Moon, the highly anticipated sequel to Twilight, hit theatres yesterday, and the turn out was record breaking. This film built on Twilight, offering more dynamic and intense relationships, more humor and more exposed skin.

Several new boys joins the cast of New Moon, acting as the ever-shirtless Quileute tribe of werewolves. But most of all, New Moon shows Taylor Lautner, a.k.a Jacob, in a whole new light. He’s stronger, faster and so much more than a 16 year old boy should be. In the book, Jacob’s character was a little more pathetic, causing a drastic lead for Team Edward. But since Taylor Lautner’s physical transformation, I wouldn’t doubt if the lead shifted to Team Jacob.

Overall, the film had it’s slow moments, along with countless laugh-out-loud scenes. The audience’s response seemed to be a good one, so I’d say it’s well worth the ten dollar ticket.

Astro Boy has always been a bit of a cult sensation–he got his start in a Japanese comic book way back in 1952, so it’s about time he hit the big screen. Astro Boy the movie is a fun, vibrant movie filled with action and heart that stays true to the original. Astro Boy is being released by Summit, the same company that promotes the Twilight trilogy, but I’m afraid Metro City is devoid of vampires–probably too many bright lights for Edward and his sparkling complexion to compete with

FInd out more about DVD reviews on Kidzworld.

Wow, what a wonderful week of books! The two sequels to The Book of Time by Guillaume Prevost are even better than the first. In The Gate of Days, Sam finally rescues his father from his six month lockdown in the dungeons of dracula’s castle. But his trip through time left him in a coma. In The Circle of Gold, Sam knows that in order to wake his dad up from his coma, his must once again travel back in time and save his mother from dying. But evil forces are at work. Sam’s crush, Alicia, is kidnapped and trapped somewhere in history. Before Sam can even think of altering the past, he needs to deal with more pressing issues…like getting Alicia back!

Last but absolutely, 100% not least — The Hunger Games. Wow. That pretty much sums it up. Suzanne Collins is unbelievable. When I first learned the plot of this book — a sci-fi novel about mandatory competition forcing teenagers to fight to the death — I really wasn’t interested in reading it. But boy, am I glad I did. I was reassured by Stephenie Meyer‘s quote on the cover calling the book “amazing.” And she was definitely right. The Hunger Games was risky, edgy, barbaric, and so gripping I just couldn’t put it down. Could this series become the next Twilight? Quite possibly.

Fans were disappointed when Stephenie Meyer put an indefinite hold on her plans to release her fifth book, Midnight Sun, in a book format. The book, if you managed to read the online draft, told the story of Twilight from Edward’s perspective.

But never fear. You don’t need to rely on Stephenie Meyer to combat your vampire withdrawal. There are tons (and I mean TONS!) of vampire books hitting the teen bookshelf every month. Of course, who has the time to sift through the masses at book stores, reading the back cover of every eerie-looking book? No one, that’s who! With school reaching its stress climax of the year, free time is few and far between. But that’s no problem because I’ve prepared a list of the latest and greatest vampire books for teens and tweens. Check it out!

New and Hot Vampire Books for Teens and Tweens

• The Reformed Vampire Support Group by Catherine Jinx
• Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey
• Persistence of Memory by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

Thirst Series by Christopher Pike

1. The Last Vampire, Black Blood, Red Dice (released August 2009)

Dark Guardian Series by Rachel Hawthorne

1. Moonlight
2. Full Moon (released June 2009)
3. Dark of the Moon (released August 2009)

Evernight Series by Claudia Gray

1. Evernight
2. Stargazer
3. Hourglass (not yet released)
4. Afterlife (not yet released)

Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer

1. Twilight
2. New Moon
3. Eclipse
4. Breaking Dawn

The House of Night Series by Kristin and P.C. Cast

1. Marked
2. Betrayed
3. Chosen
4. Untamed
5. Hunted

The Morganville Vampires Series by Rachel Caine

1. Glass Houses
2. Dead Girls Dance
3. Midnight Alley
4. Feast of Fools
5. Lord of Misrule

Night World Series by L.J. Smith

1. Secret Vampire, Daughters of Darkness, Spellbinder
2. Dark Angel, Chosen, Soulmate
3. Huntress, Black Dawn, Witchlight

Vampire Academy Series by Richelle Mead

1. Vampire Academy
2. Frostbite
3. Shadow Kiss
4. Blood Promise (released August 2009)

Den of Shadows Series by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

1. In the Forest of the Night
2. Demon in My View
3. Shattered Mirror
4. Midnight Predator

If you want to read some recent book reviews, check out the bookshelf at kidzworld.com. Kidzworld is a safe website for kids and teens that explores not just today’s top kids books and series’, but trading cards, new kids games and cheats, entertainment news and celebrities bios, advice for kids, free online contests and so much more!

Hey Twilight fans,

Have you seen Bella lately? It looks like Kristen Stewart has chopped off those long locks to play the famous rocker, Joan Jett in a new bio-pic called The Runaways. I wonder what Edward would think of her new haircut!

Kristen Stewart is currently filming The Runaways in L.A. with Dakota Fanning and the movie is due out in 2010. Off set, Kristen Stewart is known for being reserved, but Joan Jett was nothing but loud, in-your-face rocker girl energy. Do you think Stewart can channel her inner punk or will she awkwardly stumble through the Jett role the way she stuttered through her acceptance speech at the MTV Movie Awards? I, for one, have faith in Stewart. She tapped into a dark grittiness in Twilight and her performance as a disillusioned 20-something in the indie flick Adventureland showed her impressive acting range. Stewart has a rare magnetism on screen and it’s impossible to take your eyes off her–she’s going to rock this role and if not, at least she leaves with a wicked haircut.

Looking for a Gift Ideas Guide for your Twilight-obsessed friend? Check out Kidzworld’s Best Chat Rooms for free advice and trivia from other kids to get some ideas. Then check out the Twilight book review and Twilight movie review while you’re at it!

Everyone’s favorite reclusive Twilight vampire was sighted in New York this week! Robert Pattinson is taking a bite out of the Big Apple while he films his new movie, Remember Me.

In Remember Me, Pattinson plays Tyler Roth, a guy whose romantic relationship is threatened when he and his girlfriend try to cope with their respective family tragedies. Rumors are flying around town about RPattz and his sampling of the NYC nightlife: seems like the nocturnal nightcrawler is enjoying the city’s 24-hour party. Not only that, but RPattz is already being linked to Remember Me leading lady, Emile de Ravin.

Hmm, I wonder how Kristen Stewart feels about that! Yet another rumor states that just before Pattinson relocated to New York, Stewart finally broke up with her long-term boyfriend Michael Angarano to go out with Pattinson. Are Bella and Edward really having an off-set romance?  Here’s hoping, Twilight fans!