My daughter (age 5) loves this book! She thinks it's so fun. I love to see a chapter book with African American characters.

I found this book really interesting and an addictive story line I couldn't put the book down!

I bought this book as a Christmas present for my friend's child--Maya. Of course, I had to read it first. The message behind this book is wonderful. I hope that Maya loves it, not just because her name is in the title but also for the lesson that it teaches.

This picture book subtlety suggests to children that it is important to be an individual and not always follow the crowd. The little girl learns the value of accepting her parents' decisions. They could easily purchase the dress for her; but Maya's mother chooses to make one for her. Maya, like many children, thinks that the "store-bought" dress is better than the homemade one! How wrong she is!

The book is illustrated in beautiful watercolors; the characters are realistically drawn with expressive faces that add depth to the respective personalities. The author also has a balance of ethnic groups present at the party. This is an obvious attempt to promote racial tolerance - an asset to the storyline.

The text is written with simple vocabulary. Children should be able to read this particular book with a minimum of assistance, if any.

It is highly recommended for it tells a real story with concerns that face many youngsters.

This book is written for the teen market so I was a bit skeptical about how well it would be written, as there is a tendency for the mass market to produce some really awful books that are just climbing on the bandwagon of the time. The subject of Vampires is one such bandwagon but Marjorie Blackman has managed to avoid these pitfalls and produce a great book that both teen and young adult will enjoy. Also as an added bonus, the heroine Heather is a young Black girl, which as an ethnic minority myself I felt I could relate to, especially when dealing with the issues of racism which Blackman bought in and dealt with considerable ease. The storyline follows Heather and her (white) boyfriend Andrew backpacking across Europe and how Andrew is turned into a Vampire by a seductive young man with a deadly secret. For the moment Heather is spared from this ordeal but Andrew persuades her that the only way they can be together is if she lets him turn her into a Vampire. Being a Vampire turns out not to be all that Andrew promises, especially when she has to kill her neighbour's son pet rabbit to quench her thirst for blood. Also Andrew has changed, he is no longer the boy that Heather loved and would have died for. Being a Vampire has corrupted him, not only that his racist family are accusing Heather of causing all his problems and it's not long before everything gets out of hand and Heather has to stand up to Andrew in a battle in which only one of them will survive. This is a surprisingly good read and is well written with convincing dialogue and believable characters. Andrew's mother is a grotesque parody of a parent, and his brother Morgan is a vicious spoilt young man who both hates and fears Heather. The book starts off slow and then gathers momentum until you are practically eating every page. If you are looking for a happy ending then this book is not for you, however there is the consolation that Blackman might write a sequal which would I wish she had already done, because I think Heather has great potential as a serial character, even more-so than Buffy the Vampire Slayer!

The book covered the subject of vampires in great detail and kept me interested all the way through. I loved the way that it is shown that the people we thought we knew the best could change so drastically. It also shows us how easy it is to do things which could finally ruin our lives because of the 'love' that can be felt for someone. I love 'vampire stories' and this is the best I have read so far.

I purchased this book in a London bookstore, and it is one of the best books I have ever read. It is listed as a children's book, but I would recommend it for teenagers. The story may be too much for younger readers to handle. Don't be deceived by the description. The plot has so many twists and turns that readers of all ages will not be disappointed.

I personally think this must be one of the best books i have ever read! i am 11yrs old and own 'Hacker' and 'Pig-heart boy', but i have yet to read the other book of hers. both of the books i have read are EXELLENT and i would HIGHLY RECCOMEND them both to anyone. i rated them both top! if anyone is looking for a book to read this would be an IDEAL CHOICE!! READ IT - YOU CANT STOP UNTIL YOU'VE READ THE LAST PAGE AND EVEN THEN YOU READ IT AGAIN!!! i recomend you buy it INSTANTLY!

i read this book and got sucked in completely by the end of the second page! it's a story from the present to the future seeing the consequences of a rumour, lydia is framed of stealing a school trophy. although she didn't do it no-one believes her and her whole family suffer. she goes out to a hill and falls into the future. she sees what has happened now that she is dead. a story unravels and she gets more and more shocked along the way. when the person who started the rumour learns her lesson, lydia falls back to the present where she confronts the rumour and lives to tell the tale. the book is very enjoyable and i recommend it to anyone.

i own hacker and pig-heart boy and i would recomend it to anyoon! all my family enjoyed it and you will too! it is about a girl called vicky that is hacking into a the bank computer to help save her dad - he has been accused of stealing over a million pounds from the bank that he works in. this is what the blurb says: WHEN VICKY'S FATHER IS ARRESTED, ACCUSED OF STEALING OVER A MILLION POUNDS FROM THE BANK WHERE HE WORKS, SHE IS DETERMINED TO PROVE HIS INNOCENCE. BUT HOW, WHEN ALL THE EVIDENCE IS HIDDNE IN COMPUTER FILES? HELPED BY HER BROTHER GIB AND HIS BEST FRIEND CHAUCY, VICKY DECIDES TO TRY AND HACK INTO THE BANK'S COMPUTERS. FOR IF THERE IS ONE SCHOOL SUBJECT SHE IS REALLY GOOD AT, IT IS COMPUTING. BUT EVEN IF SHE DOES MANAGE TO BREAK INTO THE SYSTEM, CAN SHE FIND ALL THE ANSWERS BEFOR THE REAL THEIEF FINDS HER? you MUST READ this exellent book! Malorie is such a good author!

I am a Teenager, i quite enjoyed reading - "Hackers" with its plot involving detective work and action. This is a very good book that keeps you interested all the way through the book never a dell moment arises. Well done Malorie Blackman