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Dragonbreath

Curse of the Were-wiener
by Ursula Vernon
208p. 978-0-80373-469-2.
COPY ISBN
Gr 9-Up Each film on these widely abused substances is organized into three to five chapters specific to each drug, preceded by a common introduction. The chapters deal with the drug's short- and long-term effects on the body and the brain, and the environmental and genetic risk factors of addiction. In all the programs, professionals from the Drug Enforcement Administration and The National Institute on Drug Abuse give expert testimony on the use and effects of the drugs. The explanations are illustrated with 3-D animation of the human body and brain. Users are shown injecting, smoking, sniffing, and drinking the substances. The legitimate current and historic use of each drug is explained, as well as its origin and required processing. Illustrations and explanations of how hormones such as endorphins, dopamine, and encephalin work are redundant from program to program, but each film does stand on its own and would be useful in health classes based on the specific challenges of the community.-"Ann Weber, Bellarmine College Prep., San Jose, CA" Copyright 2010 Media Source Inc.
In his third book, Danny Dragonbreath's best friend Wendell (an iguana) is bitten by a hotdog; he then begins transforming into a were-wiener. Vernon combines likable characters and humorously spoofed werewolf conventions to create an entertaining and mildly suspenseful (if a bit all-over-the-place) story. Cartoon panels in black, white, bright green, and occasional red add to the fun.
An appealing format seamlessly marries pages of text with graphic-novel-type illustrations, which propel the story forward. Ursula Vernon’s bold art—using only red, green, and black—is simply drawn and striking. The author makes an unlikely scenario believable in large part by the strength of her characters. Danny, who welcomes adventure at every opportunity, and Wendell, who is more reserved, are a great pair. Vernon has a gift for dialogue, and the two friends’ interactions are consistently amusing. Readers need not know other books in the series to enjoy this one.

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