Twilight

Meyer, Stephenie. Twilight. Little, Brown & Co., 2005. ISBN-10:0-316-160172


Plot Summary
Isabella Swan moves to the Pacific Northwest to live with her father for the first time since she was a tot. At school, she makes friends with all the kids except for the strange Cullen family who stick to themselves. But as Bella gets to know her lab partner Edward Cullen she realizes that there is more to the family than it first seems. Yes, the Cullens are vampires. But they only hunt animals, not humans. Making an uneasy pact with the local indians, the Cullens settle into town and live life among the living. While Edward knows he can't hunt humans, he was an almost unsatiable attraction for Bella, which is part romance and part something deeper. Once Bella learns the Cullen's secret she is suddenly fair game, not for the Cullens, but for the other vampires that roam the earth. Can Edward stop the other vampires? And when he smells Bella's fresh blood, can he stop himself?

Critical evaluation
I would classify Twilight as a guilty pleasure book. The plot is nothing new and the characters' dramatic professions of love are also familar. On the other hand, the story is dramatic, fast paced and full of twists. Edward's moral struggles about hunting humans are interesting, but not fully developed.

I would recommend Twilight because it is a fun read, and there is nothing wrong with a fun read every now and then.

Readers Annotations
Isabella Swan is making the best of her new situation- living with her dad in a small, wet, cloudy town in the Pacific Northwest. Isabella makes friends with most of the kids except her lab partner Edward Cullen who is alternately dismissively rude and alluringly sweet. Edward is also super-humanely strong and prone to missing school. One night Bella finds herself googling vampires and wonders, could Edward and his odd siblings be vampires? Bella knows she should turn and run but her complicated feelings for Edward make it hard to just leave. But is this supernatural romance worth risking the safety of her new vampire friends and her human family? Is this romance worth risking it all?

Information About the Author


Genre
Fantasy
Supernatural

Curriculum Ties


Booktalking Ideas
Loving the worst possible person


Reading Level/Interest Age
Grade 8+
This book is more suited for teen readers, but undoubtedly some pre-teens will be reading this book, especially now that has been made into a movie

Controversial Subject Matter and Defense of Ideas
Some may object to the subject matter, especially the books sympathetic feelings towards vampires. Readers who object to Harry Potter will likely object to Twilight as well. However, the book is New York Time's Bestseller and will be requested by many patrons.


Why Book Included
I wanted to see what all the fuss was about!