Title: TwilightAuthor: Stephenie Meyer - Narrator: Bella Swan
Publication date: 2005
Number of pages: 544 (paperback)
Genre: Fantasy Fiction, Young Adult
Geographical Setting: Olympic Peninsula of Washington State & Phoenix, Arizona
Time Period: 2000s
Series: book one of four of The Twilight Saga
Plot Summary: Bella has decided to move from her mother and sunny Phoenix to rainy and dreary Forks, WA to live with her dad, Charlie. She has accepted her circumstances as the new girl in school and an awkward relationship with her chief of police father but she is not prepared for the hostility and disgust she encounters from one boy at school, the beautiful and striking Edward Cullen. Eventually, Bella and Edward find themselves intrigued by one another and unable to resist their obvious attraction. Bella begins to learn the truth about Edward and his beautiful but very aloof family- they are vampires. Her love for Edward does not leave room for any fear of his and his family’s true nature. However, their love is not without its complications. A threatening force has come to Forks. Bella and everyone she cares for are in danger and she follows a course that may cause her to both lose and save her one true love.
Subject Headings: fantasy, vampires, love and romance, teenagers, Pacific Northwest, Phoenix, daughter/father relationships, first love, high school, “star-crossed lovers”
Appeal: exciting first of a series, book to film in 2008, pacing is slower but appropriate for teen readers, smart but ordinary girl attracts beautiful boy, suspenseful
If you liked Twilight, you might enjoy: Kimberly Pauley- Sucks to Be Me: The All-True Confessions of Mina Hamilton, Teen Vampire (maybe), Mina’s parents are vampires. Mina must decide whether or not to become one also. Right now she is more interested in hanging out with her best friend and getting a prom date than taking her vampire training classes. Heather Brewer- Chronicles of Vladimir Tod series, A good choice for boys, so far two books are available. Vladimir Tod is half vampire and half human. Both of his parents died mysteriously and he must navigate his teen years trying to be “normal” and fight his thirst for blood. Octavia Butler- The Fledgling, vampires and humans have developed a symbiotic realtionship
