THE KNAVEHEART’S CURSE

Having earned her Slayer’s Pin with a twin killing in Vampire Island (2007), more-or-less vegan, more-or-less ex-vampire Maddy tackles a pair of tougher challenges in this equally tongue-in-cheek sequel. First is the arrival of Zelda, a powerful Old World vampire with a taste for rat’s-blood gazpacho and a spell that quickly begins transforming Maddy’s gentle big sister Lexie into a murderous changeling. Second, and in some ways harder, is Maddy’s effort to make and keep human friends—no easy matter considering her quick temper, fondness for practical jokes and near-total lack of either conscience or people skills. Fortunately Dakota, one of those potential friends, turns out to be not entirely human herself and in the climactic dust-up she, along with other supernatural allies, helps Maddy to come out on top once again. Griffin whips humor, suspense and frequent, offhand gross bits into a winning formula that young readers will slurp up avidly. A (vegetarian) recipe and a school report comparing Daniel Boone and Vlad the Impaler close this droll tale. (Fantasy. 10-12)