Dracula Madness (A Sam & Friends Mystery)
Grade 3–5—This entertaining story, based on Labatt'sSpying on Dracula(Kids Can, 1999), blends mystery with gentle spookiness to create a satisfying whole. Samantha is a charmingly self-centered sheepdog who fancies herself a detective. After moving to the small town of Woodford with her owners, she quickly bonds with Jennie, the 10-year-old next door, who has the unique ability to hear Sam's thoughts. When Jennie and her friend Beth take Sam to the scariest house in town, inhabited by the reclusive McIver, the trio begins to investigate the man's odd behavior. It isn't long before his actions, and Beth's imagination, lead them to believe that he's Dracula. As is often the case with childhood fears, the facts are not as mysterious, or as spooky, as they appear. The black-and-white artwork is anime-inspired. While not remarkable, the crisp, effective illustrations pair nicely with the well-paced writing, giving the story a smooth flow. The presence of three intelligent, brave female characters will make this title appealing to girls.—Travis Jonker, Dorr Elementary School, MICopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.