Vampire State Building

From Publishers Weekly
In the fourth title in the Sam and Robert Bamford series (including Dracula Is a Pain in the Neck and Frankenstein Moved In on the Fourth Floor), Sam's online chess partner, Vlad, visits New York City from Romania in Vampire State Building by Elizabeth Levy, illus. by Sally Wern Comport. Sam and family suspect Vlad's a vampire; Levy sensitively handles the post-September 11 realities of New York. Ages 7-10.Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
Grade 2-4-In the Bamford brothers' fourth mock-horror adventure, Robert is worried about Sam's on-line Romanian chess partner. Vlad comes from Dracula's home turf, after all, and Robert has had experience in that line. When Vlad arrives in New York for a tournament, Robert immediately notices the older boy's crooked, pointed teeth. Also, his brother's opponent is allergic to garlic, avoids looking into mirrors, and is disturbed that the chess matches are taking place during daylight. Then, when the visitor talks about his mysterious "family curse," even Sam begins to wonder just what his foreign friend is hiding. The humorous dialogue rings true, and the warm but sometimes prickly relationship between the siblings is believable. The eerily funny dust jacket and gray-toned illustrations add to the fun. With a quiet message about trust and friendship, this chapter book has just the right combination of chuckles and chills for young readers looking for "a scary one."-Elaine E. Knight, Lincoln Elementary Schools, ILCopyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Gr. 3-6. In the fine tradition of Night of the Living Gerbil (2001), 11-year-old Sam, his younger brother, Robert, and their irritating cousin, Mabel, return for another tale set in New York. Sam is playing chess online with 12-year-old Vlad Clinciu living in Bucharest, Romania. Mabel prattles on about vampires and Count Dracula, but Sam and Vlad simply enjoy the back-and-forth of chess play. Vlad and his family come to New York so Vlad can be in a chess tournament, and Sam is astounded and annoyed to find that his friend is not a chess beginner at all. Meanwhile, Mabel and Robert find all sorts of reasons to believe that Vlad is a vampire and try to convince Sam. Along with the slightly mysterious goings-on, readers will enjoy getting a tour of New York City as kids and adults revel in showing their town to the visitors. Levy's light touch works well here. GraceAnne DeCandido
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Book Description

Sam Bamford loves playing online chess with his friend Vlad, who is from Romania. Vlad says he's a beginner, like Sam, but he beats Sam every time. It doesn't matter to Sam where Vlad lives. But Sam's brother, Robert, is sure Vlad knows vampires, since the original Dracula lived in Romania. Maybe he is even related to one.

Then Vlad tells Sam he's coming to New York, where Sam lives, for a chess tournament. A beginner in a chess tournament? Is Vlad keeping secrets from Sam? And is it possible that Vlad really does come from a family of vampires-and now they're coming for a visit?

ANNOTATION

Eleven-year-old Sam Bamford's on-line chess pal is in New York to play in a tournament, but Sam's sister and cousin are wary because Vlad has pointy teeth, comes from Romania, and admits to keeping secrets.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Sam Bamford loves playing online chess with his Romanian friend Vlad. Sam's brother, Robert, is sure Vlad knows vampires, since the original Dracula lived in Romania. Maybe he is even related to one. Sam doesn't believe Robert at first, but when he learns that Vlad is coming to New York for a chess tournament -- even though he is only supposed to be a beginner -- he suspects that Vlad is keeping secrets from him. Is it possible that his friend really is a vampire -- and now he's coming for a visit?

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

In the fourth title in the Sam and Robert Bamford series (including Dracula Is a Pain in the Neck and Frankenstein Moved In on the Fourth Floor), Sam's online chess partner, Vlad, visits New York City from Romania in Vampire State Building by Elizabeth Levy, illus. by Sally Wern Comport. Sam and family suspect Vlad's a vampire; Levy sensitively handles the post-September 11 realities of New York.

Children's Literature - Kathleen Karr

The latest addition to Levy's Sam and Robert Bamford Books finds eleven-year-old Sam in a marathon chess match with Vlad, his Romanian Internet friend. Tension arises when Vlad turns up in New York City for an international chess tournament. Sam is in a snit because Vlad never admitted his master status, while Sam's younger brother Robert and flamboyant cousin Mabel decide Vlad must be a vampire. He's from Romania, isn't he? And what about those signs? Vlad is allergic to garlic, and won't look in mirrors, and he does turn his opponents strangely pale. Youngsters will enjoy the sibling rivalry and not too scary elements of the story. They might learn a little about chess and Romania along the way, too. 2002, HarperCollins,

School Library Journal