Bloodsucking Fiends

As the book begins, Moore effectively creates and develops the setting of his story. Setting the scene for an entire book can
be a difficult task, but by using descriptive language, and contrasting images, the setting is memorable.
1) 1. Moore uses the contrasting beauty of the San Francisco skyline and a homeless man to set the stage for his tale. How do these contrasting images work to create a feeling of mystery? Why does the image of the Emperor lead the reader to believe that things are not always what they seem in San Francisco?
2. Writing exercise: Using Moore's first chapter as an example, write an introduction to a short story in which you establish the setting. This exercise should be no more than one page in length.
3. Explain why setting the scene in a story such as Blood Sucking Friends is important. Would the book still be as interesting if the author did not take the time to establish the setting for his interesting characters?

or

After Jody wakes up in the dumpster, she is surprised to discover she feels completely changed. After traumatic experiences, we often must change to cope with what has happened to us. Everyone deals with it differently, and Jody is no exception. The change can be for the good or make one's life worse, but pushes us to accept change.

1) 1. Rewrite Jody's experience waking up in the dumpster. As you rewrite the passage, try a different tone than Moore's. What type of tone did you choose to address this passage? How does it differ from Moore's tone?

OR
Journal Entry: Describe an event in your life that has helped to define the person you are today. How did the event change you, or make you more direct on your path to self discovery?

Chapter Abstracts
Chapter abstracts are short descriptions of events that occur in each chapter. They highlight major plot events and detail the important relationships and characteristics of characters and objects. The Chapter Abstracts can be used to review what the students have read, or to prepare the students for what they will read. Hand the abstracts out in class as a study guide, or use them as a "key" for a class discussion. They are relatively brief, but can serve to be an excellent refresher of the text for either a student or teacher.
Part 1, Fledgling: Chapter 1, Death and Chapter 2, Death
Warmed Over Abstract
* The story begins with the Emperor, a wise homeless man, looking over San Francisco. * The Emperor is upset because a vampire is killing people in his beloved city. * As Jody walks home, she is attacked by a strange man.
Part 1, Fledgling: Chapter 3, Oh Liquid Love and Chapter 4,
Blooms and the City of Burned Clutches Abstract
* Her attacker bites her and then makes her drink her blood. * Jody wakes up in a dumpster with a burned hand. * Jody finds that her shirt is full of money * Jody takes the bus home, thinking her boyfriend will be worried about her. * Instead, she finds him complaining about her on the phone.
Part 1, Fledgling: Chapter 5, Undead and Somewhat Slightly
Dazed and Chapter 6, The Animals Abstract
* Kurt is upset with Jody but does not ask her if she is okay. * Jody becomes very upset and throws a plant at Kurt, which knocks him out. * She then drinks Kurt's blood because she cannot resist the blood. * Jody realizes she is a vampire and needs to find a safe place for the day time.
Part 1, Fledgling: Chapter 7, Suiters and Chapter 8, Dinner with
the Vampire Abstract
* The story shifts to Thomas Flood, a country boy in the big city. * Tommy lives in a small apartment with five other men in Chinatown. * As the chapter ends, Tommy meets the Emperor who helps Tommy find a job.
Part 1, Fledgling: Chapter 9, He Knows If You've Been Bad or Good, So You'd Better... and Chapter 10, Walking, Talking, and Bumping in the Night Abstract
* Jody suddenly regains consciousness when the sun sets. * She hates waking alone; she's lived with ten men in five years. * Jody counts the money her attacker left her, almost seventy thousand dollars. The attacker must have turned her into a vampire on purpose. * Jody gets a call from someone she does not know who tells her she can be killed.
Part 1, Fledgling: Chapter 11, Lather, Rinse, Repent and
Chapter 12, Fashionably Doomed Abstract
* The night workers at the Marina Safeway are known as "the Animals" because of their rowdy behavior. * The Animals are Simon, Clint, Christian, Jeff, Drew, Troy Lee, Gustavo, Barry, and Lash. * The new night manager turns out to be Tommy, who all of the Animals seem to like. * Jody walks by the store and is hit on by Tommy and Simon. She accepts a date with Tommy.
Part 1, Fledgling: Chapter 13, To-Do List of the Fashionably Doomed and Chapter 14, Two Losts Do Not Make a Found Abstract
* The workers put the Safeway stock room back together. * Troy Lee and Tommy go to Chinatown and Troy Lee explains that Tommy's roommates want to marry him to gain citizenship. * Tommy cannot say no to a panhandler.