Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1142506 in Books
• Published on: 2002-05-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 128 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Kids can count on more chuckles than chills in this lighthearted spoof of Bram Stoker's timeless tale, which launches the Cracked Classics series. When Devin and Frankie (short for Francine) disrupt their sixth-grade English class, the teacher assigns to them an oral report on Dracula. Spunky narrator Devin complains that it is "full of pages from beginning to end. Not only that. There's printing on every single one of them!" Glancing at the title, he then announces, "That can't be right. Dracula is a movie," to which Frankie replies, "Some book. Doesn't even know what it is." Such buoyant banter keeps this caper cruising along at a quick clip as the two pals fail miserably at their report, and their teacher banishes them to the library. After the librarian gives them the task of taping together a dilapidated copy of Dracula, the pair accidentally sends the book through the library's "zapper gates" (security system), which catapults them to 1897 Transylvania. The classic tale's trappings assume amusing if expectedly inane dimensions through their eyes ("This must be the living tomb.... Sorry, I mean living room," says Frankie as the count gives them a house tour). A concluding note from the duo's librarian plugs the Stoker saga, which just may prompt youngsters to pick up the real thing. Ages 8-12.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
Grade 4-6 When Devin and his friend Francine do poorly on a book report on Dracula, the teacher punishes them by sending them to work in the library. When they accidentally drop a copy of the book behind an old security gate, the sixth graders find themselves in Transylvania, trapped in the classic story. In spite of the offensive premise that being sent to the library is punishment, this story will delight and scare readers. It remains true to Bram Stoker's plot while juxtaposing the thoughts, impressions, and experiences of today's children. Devin and Frankie are wisecracking underachievers and their characterizations and dialogue ring true. Abbott adroitly blends the language in Stoker's tale with their conversations, resulting in laugh-out-loud scenes. Their jokes are old but provide needed relief. While it is clear that the message is "reading is good, fun and important," the author delivers it through the characters and plot, rather than by lecturing. The short chapters, often ending in cliff-hangers, make this a good read-aloud. As an introduction to Stoker's book, it's a great plot summary. And for those looking for a "scary" book, it's a kid's choice. -Molly S. Kinney, Office of Public Library Services, Atlanta, GA
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Customer Reviews

Funny being to "Cracked Classics"
Sixth graders Devin Bundy and his pal Frankie Lang are your two tradition class troublemakers. After their teacher finds out they haven't read the book assigned to them in class, she punishes them by telling them to write a report on the book "Dracula" and get sentenced to library duty and work with the funny Mrs. Figglehopper(what a name!) Soon they are sent off by Mrs. Figglehopper to repair the damaged library books and before they know what is happening they are zapped by the library's secruity system to 1897 Translyvania and right into Bram Stoker's vampire classic "Dracula"(Yes, we are talking the real thing here!) To their horror, the two mischiveous trouble makers find out that the only way to leave is to...READ!! I recommend all kids to read this hilirous book. It is perfect for kids just starting to get into chapter books!

Depressingly Anti-Literate
Although I picked up this book expecting a laugh, I put it down in sadness. I truly regret giving my money to Volo publishers for this 'book.' The intended audience for this work appears to be kids who do not enjoy reading. It's good to give such tykes literary counterparts whom they can relate to. Yet "Trapped in Transylvania" would discourage even the most voracious of readers. The narration, characters, and expecially the dialogue are tired, hackneyed, and trite. The starring kids speak in nothing but antiquated slang. This is the type of book/preachy-after-school-special that has always made me very uphappy, ever since I started reading. Everything is dumbed down, the kids are expected to act like brainless fools, and the story itself is unrewarding. I was not surprised to learn that this series' publisher is owned by Disney. "Cracked Classics" appear to be another tool used to encourage kids to enjoy tv, movies and bad music more than literature. Young'uns may not be ready for the actual "Dracula" yet, but their minds (our socio-cultural future) deserve far better than this.