Bunnicula

Title: Bunnicula
Author: Deborah and James Howe
Published: March 1979
ISBN: 9781416928171
Other books in the series: Howliday Inn, The Celery Stalks at Midnight, Nighty-Nightmare, Return to Howliday Inn, Bunnicula Meets Edgar Allen Crow, 
Characters: Harold the dog, Chester the cat and Bunnicula the bunny
Awards: ALA notable children's books
Genre: fiction, fantasy, mystery
Reading Level: 3rd grade
Interest Level: 3rd-5th grade
Summary: There is a new addition to the Monroe household and Harold the dog and Chester that cat are not too happy about it. The Monroe's have brought home a new rabbit. But something is strange about this rabbit. Chester is convinced that the bunny is a vampire and considering that strange things keep happening around the house, like celery being sucked dry, Harold thinks Chester might be right. But how can they convince the Monroes that their new pet is a vampire bunny?
Review: This story is part mystery, part scary story, part hilarious story. I like that the story is told from the dog's point of view, they make it seem that Harold has written the story. Chester and Harold are funny and the book is filled with great puns and plays on vampire lore. Tweens that are fans of vampires and animal tales with enjoy this combination.
Reader's Annotation: Bunnicula seems like an innocent rabbit but Chester and Harold are convinced he is a vampire. How else do you explain the vegetables being sucked dry?
Main themes: vampires, animal stories, mystery
Read alikes: The Buddy Files by Dori Butler
Why for tweens? Tweens love animal stories and they will enjoy this story and it's witty humor.