Goosebumps Series
By Carrie Kingsley,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Captivating, spooky mysteries can pack an emotional wallop.
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this book.
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Based on 7 parent reviews
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readers beware your in for a scare
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What's the Story?
Each book is a standalone story in the GOOSEBUMPS series. Kids who are minding their own business find themselves stalking a mutant librarian, or hiding from a possessed parent intent on killing them, or coming face to face with ghosts, or any number of other terrifying paranormal situations. The kids have to find a way to stay alive and solve whatever problem they face alone, since the adults in their world are either unaware, unapproachable, or possessed. Issues are resolved at the end of each story, but not always wrapped up neatly, which only adds to the suspense.
Is It Any Good?
These stories will captivate any reader who likes suspense, horror and fantasy. Goosebumps doesn't have much academic content or positive messaging, although the kids usually try to do the right thing while solving a mystery. But the books are creative, rich examples of how to write a captivating story. Readers who are learning to be writers can see how to hook a reader, how to pace a story, and how to have fun with the writing. The books are written the way kids this age think and speak, and have an age-appropriate amount of tension and violence -- just remember, they're designed to scare.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about weird things that happen in Goosebumps books. Have you ever seen something so weird you thought it couldn't possibly be real?
Do you believe in ghosts? Why or why not?
Are Goosebumps books similar to any other scary, spooky, mysteries you've read?
Book Details
- Author: R. L. Stine
- Genre: Mystery
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Adventures, Brothers and Sisters, Friendship, Monsters, Ghosts, and Vampires
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Scholastic
- Publication date: September 1, 2003
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 8 - 12
- Number of pages: 123
- Available on: Paperback, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: July 19, 2018
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