Parents' Guide to

Classic Goosebumps: The Haunted Mask

By Terreece Clarke, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 9+

Popular series reissue is a fun sleepover read.

Book R. L. Stine Horror 2008
Classic Goosebumps: The Haunted Mask Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

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age 15+

Based on 4 parent reviews

NO KISSING
NO KISSING Adult
December 3, 2020
age 18+

MY MY MY

you know, my mom always goes on this app, i dot kniw why. she always laughs her head off after it too. i want to post a reveiw lettig u know , my mom has some issues. shes too kind to me. so im wrarning u..... dont read this book

This title has:

Great role models
Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much consumerism
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
Farah H.
Farah H. Adult
February 25, 2018
age 18+

See all 4 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Carly is tired of getting teased at school. Her friends are always thinking of ways to frighten her -- and it works. She always falls for their tricks and the whole school laughs at her. But this Halloween it's different -- she's got the spookiest mask ever and she'll get her revenge and watch her classmates recoil in horror. Little does she know, it'll be horrific for her too!

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (4):
Kids say (15):

Stine delivers another spooky, look-over-your-shoulder book ideal for reluctant readers and Halloween-themed sleepovers. This reissued "classic" is one of the better books in the Goosebumps series that's often cast aside as mass-produced light entertainment. There are awful masks and spider scares, acts of revenge, and great cliffhangers to enjoy here.

Carly is picked on at school for being a scaredy-cat, but readers will feel just as jumpy as she deals with crazed duck costumes, hairy tarantulas, and live worms. When she finally gets an opportunity to take her revenge, readers will turn from having sympathy for Carly to being scared to death of her and what she can do with her new super scary mask.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about teasing and revenge. Why did Carly want revenge against her friends? What did she learn about trying to "pay back" others who had hurt her? Have you ever wanted to get back at someone who teased you?

Book Details

  • Author: R. L. Stine
  • Genre: Horror
  • Book type: Fiction
  • Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
  • Publication date: September 1, 2008
  • Publisher's recommended age(s): 9 - 12
  • Number of pages: 144
  • Last updated: July 12, 2017

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