This is the first in a series The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod written by Heather Brewer. The book is about the young 8th grader Vladimir Tod who is trying to live life as a normal child, even though he is half vampire. His mother (Mellina Tod), who died with his father (Tomas Tod) in an accident three years before, had a best friend Nelly who takes care of him in the current setting. She works in a hospital and supplies Vlad with bags of blood that were obtained due to the fact that they were to be disposed of since they are close to their expiration date.
One day at school, Vlad finds a substitute, Otis, instead of his normal teacher, Mr. Craig. Vlad believes the new teacher killed Vlad's father and his absent teacher. Investigating more, Vlad finds his father's journal in their old home, and a strange mark carved on his teacher's porch.
This takes Vlad on an adventure into the vampire world where he learns who he is and who might have killed his parents and why.
